SARS-CoV-2 aptasensors based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and low-cost gold electrode substrates

Lasserre, P. et al. (2022) SARS-CoV-2 aptasensors based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and low-cost gold electrode substrates. Analytical Chemistry, 94(4), pp. 2126-2133. (doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04456) (PMID:35043638) (PMCID:PMC8790822)

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic practices broadly involve either quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based nucleic amplification of viral sequences or antigen-based tests such as lateral flow assays (LFAs). Reverse transcriptase-qPCR can detect viral RNA and is the gold standard for sensitivity. However, the technique is time-consuming and requires expensive laboratory infrastructure and trained staff. LFAs are lower in cost and near real time, and because they are antigen-based, they have the potential to provide a more accurate indication of a disease state. However, LFAs are reported to have low real-world sensitivity and in most cases are only qualitative. Here, an antigen-based electrochemical aptamer sensor is presented, which has the potential to address some of these shortfalls. An aptamer, raised to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, was immobilized on a low-cost gold-coated polyester substrate adapted from the blood glucose testing industry. Clinically relevant detection levels for SARS-CoV-2 are achieved in a simple, label-free measurement format using sample incubation times as short as 15 min on nasopharyngeal swab samples. This assay can readily be optimized for mass manufacture and is compatible with a low-cost meter.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The project was primarily funded by the Chief Scientist’s Office (Scotland) COVID-19 Rapid Response Call. P.L. would like to thank the University of Strathclyde for the funding of her PhD studentship under the Chancellor’s Fellow CDT in Antimicrobial Resistance. A.M. would like to thank the EngD Medical Devices CDT for his studentship funded by the EPSRC CDT in Biomedical Devices and Health Technologies (EP/L015595/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Murphy, Dr Michael
• Authors: Lasserre, P., Balansethupathy, B., Vezza, V. J., Butterworth, A., Macdonald, A., Blair, E. O., McAteer, L., Hannah, S., Ward, A. C., Hoskisson, P. A., Longmuir, A., Setford, S., Farmer, E. C.W., Murphy, M. E., Flynn, H., and Corrigan, D. K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Analytical Chemistry
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• ISSN: 0003-2700
• ISSN (Online): 1520-6882
• Published Online: 19 January 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Analytical Chemistry 94(4): 2126-2133
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License