Photoluminescence-based biosensor for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus proteins by ZnO tetrapod structure integrated within microfluidic system
Journal
Science of The Total Environment
Journal Volume
939
ISSN
0048-9697
Date Issued
2024-08-20
Author(s)
Roman Viter
Iryna Tepliakova
Maryia Drobysh
Viktor Zbolotnii
Simas Rackauskas
Simonas Ramanavicius
Karlis Grundsteins
Viktorija Liustrovaite
Almira Ramanaviciene
Vilma Ratautaite
Ernestas Brazys
Urte Prentice
Arunas Ramanavicius
DOI
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173333
Abstract
This paper reports on development of an optical biosensor for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus proteins in blood serum. ZnO nanotetrapods with high surface area and stable room temperature photoluminescence (PL) were selected as transducers. Structure and optical properties of the ZnO tetrapods have been studied by XRD, SEM and Raman spectroscopy. Crystallinity, dimensions and emission peaks of the ZnO tetrapods were determined. The ZnO tetrapods were fixed on glass chip. Silanization of ZnO tetrapods surface resulted in forming of functional surface groups suitable for the immobilization of bioselective layer. Two types of recombinant proteins (rS and rN) have been used to form bioselective layer on the surface of the ZnO tetrapods. Flow through microfluidic system, integrated with optical system, has been used for the determination of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus proteins present in blood samples. The SARS-CoV-2 probes, prepared in PBS solution, have been injected into the measurement chamber with a constant pumping speed. Steady-state photoluminescence spectra and photoluminescence kinetics have been studied before and after injection of the probes. The biosensor signal has been tested to anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the range of 0.001 nM–1 nM. Control measurements have been performed with blood serum of healthy person. ZnO-SARS-CoV-2-rS and ZnO-SARS-CoV-2-rN biosensors showed high stability and sensitivity to anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the range of 0.025–0.5 nM (LOD 0.01 nM) and 0.3–1 nM (LOD 0.3 nM), respectively. Gibbs free energy of interaction between ZnO/SARS-CoV-2-rS and ZnO/SARS-CoV-2-rN bioselective layers with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies showed −35.5 and −21.4 kJ/mol, respectively. Average detection time of biosensor integrated within microfluidic system was 15–20 min. The detection time and pumping speed (50 μL/min) were optimized to make detection faster. The developed system and ZnO-SARS-CoV-2-rS nanostructures have good potential for detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from patient's probes.
Subjects
Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus proteins
COVID-19 epidemics
Nucleocapsid protein (rN)
Photoluminescence sensor
Spike protein (rS)
ZnO tetrapods
SDGs
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Description
Article number 173333
Type
journal article