Conventional and Nanotechnology-Based Sensing Methods for SARS Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Abstract

Ongoing pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected over 218 countries and infected 88,512,243 and 1,906,853 deaths reported by Jan. 8, 2021. At present, vaccines are being developed in Europe, Russia, USA, and China, although some of these are in phase III of trials, which are waiting to be available for the general public. The only option available now is by vigorous testing, isolation of the infected cases, and maintaining physical and social distances. Numerous methods are now available or being developed for testing the suspected cases, which may act as carriers of the virus. In this review, efforts have been made to discuss the conventional as well as fast, rapid, and efficient testing methods developed for the diagnosis of 2019-nCoV.Testing methods can be based on the sensing of targets, which include RNA, spike proteins and antibodies such as IgG and IgM. Apart from the development of RNA targeted PCR, antibody and VSV pseudovirus neutralization assay along with several other diagnostic techniques have been developed. Additionally, nanotechnology-based sensors are being developed for the diagnosis of the virus, and these are also discussed.

Electrochemical sensors for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus

“…IgG is considered as an indicator of the present or prior infection, while IgM is an indicator of the initial stage of infection, which can persist in the body for more than three months [67] , [82] . Recent efforts have demonstrated that IgG and IgM antiviral antibodies can be identified in the human serum samples infected with SARS-CoV-2 [90] , [91] , [92] , [93] .…”

COVID-19 Biomarkers and Advanced Sensing Technologies for Point-of-Care (POC) Diagnosis

“…A field-effect transistor (FET) based biosensing device has several advantages, including the ability to make very sensitive and instantaneous measurements using small amounts of analytes for detecting COVID-19 in clinical samples. The sensor uses graphene sheets coated with a specific antibody immobilized against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein [148][149][150][151]. Graphene is selected because of its high electron mobility, electrical and thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength.…”

Pushing the detection limits: strategies towards highly sensitive optical-based protein detection

“…Affinity sensors for diagnosis has been discussed by Drobysh et al [ 76 ]. Shetti et al described conventional and nanotechnology-based sensors for COVID-19 [ 77 ]. Recent efforts in the applications of colloidal particles and nanoparticles for the diagnostics and treatment of COVID-19 have also been summarized [ 78 , 79 ].…”