Development of portable and cost-effective biosensors for clinical diagnosis of bacterial and viral infections

• Grant number: 22/03250-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Initial Project
• Start date: February 01, 2023
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: William Reis de Araujo
• Grantee: William Reis de Araujo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/02774-0 - Development of an Electrochemical Sensor in a Wound Dressing for the Detection of Chronic Bacterial Infections, BP.IC; 24/21419-4 - Fabrication of a portable electrochemical biosensor array for multiplexed diagnosis of respiratory diseases, BP.TT; 24/11641-1 - Growth and quantification assays for different bacterial and viral strains, BP.TT; 24/05121-5 - Fabrication of wearable glove-based electrochemical sensors for rapid detection of bacterial biomarkers, BP.IC; 23/03483-4 - Fabrication of miniaturized and microfluidic wearable biosensors using 3D bioprinting technology, BP.DR

Abstract

The present research project aims at the development of portable and low-cost electrochemical and colorimetric biosensors for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms for rapid and high-frequency clinical diagnostics. The current health crisis imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated our society's tremendous health and economic equity gap, as well as the huge need for diagnostic tools for epidemiological control. The current need for diagnostic methods for the rapid screening of SARS-CoV-2 for the implementation of sanitary measures, such as the isolation of infected individuals, applies to several other infections/diseases, such as respiratory diseases in general. Most of the technologies available for clinical diagnoses are lab-based methods that do not provide rapid and cost-effective analysis for wide use, especially in more distant communities or with limited resources. Thus, in this project, we will develop new electrochemical and colorimetric technologies associated with cell phones for the detection of different types of bacteria and viruses relevant for clinical purposes. The arrays of electrochemical sensors will be manufactured using screen-printing and laser engraving techniques, as they enable large-scale production with adequate reproducibility. New biological receptors and/or functionalization strategies will be used that aim to provide high sensitivity with adequate selectivity, but mainly with excellent stability and reproducibility so that these technologies can become practical, accurate, and commercially available diagnostic tools from these studies. From a colorimetric point of view, we will develop strategies using accessible substrates such as paper and cotton swabs to carry out integrated sampling and testing using smartphones and digital images applications for robust and rapid diagnostics. To this end, the surface of these materials will be biofunctionalized to allow use directly at the point of care/need.With this project, we intend to develop methodologies for rapid diagnosis of viral infections such as COVID-19, influenza A and B, dengue and herpes, and bacterial infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp, Acinetobacter spp., etc. We also intend to develop biosensors with wearable characteristics on dressing platforms and commercial gloves, as well as integrate diagnostics into a single platform to perform the screening of several species of interest, such as respiratory diseases, in a small amount of clinical sample. (AU)

Scientific publications

(15)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE LIMA, LUCAS FELIPE; FERREIRA, ANDRE LOPES; DE FREITAS, AMANDA DE SOUSA MARTINEZ; RODRIGUES, JESSICA DE SOUZA; LEMES, ANA PAULA; FERREIRA, MARYSTELA; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM REIS. Biodegradable and Flexible Thermoplastic Composite Graphite Electrodes: A Promising Platform for Inexpensive and Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Creatine Kinase at the Point-of-Care. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, v. 15, n. 15, p. 13-pg., 2023-04-04. (20/12659-0, 16/19387-0, 19/02692-3, 22/03250-7, 18/08782-1, 18/04061-8)

DE LIMA, LUCAS F.; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM R.. A highly efficient and portable laser-scribed graphene-based electrochemical system for forensic-oriented determination of acepromazine. ANALYTICAL METHODS, v. 15, n. 35, p. 10-pg., 2023-09-14. (22/03250-7, 18/08782-1)

BERASARTE, IRATI; BORDAGARAY, ANE; GARCIA-ARRONA, ROSA; OSTRA, MIREN; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM REIS; VIDAL, MAIDER. Microscale titration of acetic acid using digital colorimetry and paper-based analytical devices. Talanta, v. 276, p. 9-pg., 2024-05-17. (18/08782-1, 22/03250-7)

BOTTELLI, ELISA D.; DE LIMA, LUCAS F.; PAIXAO, THIAGO R. L. C.; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM R.. Laser-scribed graphene toward scalable fabrication of electrochemical paper-based devices for lidocaine detection in forensic and pharmaceutical samples. Electrochimica Acta, v. 507, p. 10-pg., 2024-10-07. (23/12589-0, 18/08782-1, 23/00246-1, 22/03250-7)

FERREIRA, ANDRE L.; PASCHOARELLI, MAYRA V.; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM R.; DE LIMA, LUCAS F.. From colors to currents: a hybrid electrochemical and colorimetric sensor for real-time detection of emerging pollutants and pH monitoring. ANALYTICAL METHODS, v. 17, n. 13, p. 11-pg., 2025-03-13. (22/03250-7, 23/12589-0, 23/00246-1)

BERASARTE, IRATI; ALBIZU, GORKA; SANTOS, WENDEL FERREIRA; DE LIMA, LUCAS FELIPE; OSTRA, MIREN; VIDAL, MAIDER; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM REIS. Chemometrics and digital image colorimetry approaches applied to paper-based analytical devices: A review. Analytica Chimica Acta, v. 1339, p. 19-pg., 2025-01-18. (18/08782-1, 23/00246-1, 22/03250-7)

DE LIMA, LUCAS F.; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM R.. A highly efficient and portable laser-scribed graphene-based electrochemical system for forensic-oriented determination of acepromazine. ANALYTICAL METHODS, v. N/A, p. 10-pg., 2023-08-30. (22/03250-7, 18/08782-1)

DE LIMA, LUCAS FELIPE; FERREIRA, ANDRE LOPES; DO NASCIMENTO, GUIDA HELLEN MOTA; CARDOSO, LUANA PEREIRA; DE JESUS, MARCELO BISPO; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM REIS. Tongue depressor (bio)sensors: A fast decentralized self-testing of salivary biomarkers for personalized medicine. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL, v. 494, p. 13-pg., 2024-06-18. (22/09892-0, 23/03483-4, 23/05204-5, 23/12589-0, 23/06143-0, 23/00246-1, 18/08782-1, 22/03250-7)

ROCHA, DANIELLY S.; BALDO, THAISA A.; SILVA-NETO, HABDIAS A.; DUARTE-JUNIOR, GERSON F.; BAZILIO, GABRIELA S.; BORGES, CLAYTON L.; PARENTE-ROCHA, JULIANA A.; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM R.; DE SIERVO, ABNER; PAIXA, THIAGO L. R. C.; et al. Disposable and eco-friendly electrochemical immunosensor for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2. Talanta, v. 268, p. 9-pg., 2023-10-29. (07/54829-5, 18/08782-1, 07/08244-5, 22/03250-7)

DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM REIS; LUKAS, HEATHER; TORRES, MARCELO D. T.; GAO, WEI; DE LA FUENTE-NUNEZ, CESAR. Low-Cost Biosensor Technologies for Rapid Detection of COVID-19 and Future Pandemics. ACS NANO, v. 18, n. 3, p. 21-pg., 2024-01-08. (18/08782-1, 22/03250-7)

SILVA-NETO, HABDIAS A.; LIMA, LUCAS F. DE; ROCHA, DANIELLY S.; ATAIDE, VANESSA N.; MELONI, GABRIEL N.; MORO, GIULIA; RAUCCI, ADA; CINTI, STEFANO; PAIXA, THIAGO R. L. C.; ARAUJO, WILLIAM R. DE; et al. Recent achievements of greenness metrics on paper-based electrochemical (bio) sensors for environmental and clinical analysis. TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, v. 174, p. 19-pg., 2024-04-01. (22/03382-0, 22/03250-7, 18/08782-1, 18/14462-0)

DE LIMA, LUCAS F.; FERREIRA, ANDRE L.; AWASTHI, SITA; TORRES, MARCELO D. T.; FRIEDMAN, HARVEY M.; COHEN, GARY H.; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM R.; DE LA FUENTE-NUNEZ, CESAR. Rapid and accurate detection of herpes simplex virus type 2 using a low-cost electrochemical biosensor. CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE, v. 4, n. 9, p. 17-pg., 2023-09-20. (22/03250-7, 18/08782-1)

DE LIMA, LUCAS F.; BARBOSA, PRISCILLA P.; SIMEONI, CAMILA L.; DE O. DE PAULA, ROSEMEIRE F.; PROENCA-MODENA, JOSE LUIZ; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM R.. Electrochemical Paper-Based Nanobiosensor for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Monkeypox Virus. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, v. 15, n. 50, p. 13-pg., 2023-12-08. (22/03250-7, 18/08782-1, 16/00194-8, 22/10442-0)

DE LIMA, LUCAS F.; FERREIRA, ANDRE L.; RANJAN, ISHANI; COLLMAN, RONALD G.; DE ARAUJO, WILLIAM R.; DE LA FUENTE-NUNEZ, CESAR. A bacterial cellulose-based and low-cost electrochemical biosensor for ultrasensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2. CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE, v. 4, n. 8, p. 19-pg., 2023-08-16. (22/03250-7)

DE LIMA, LUCAS F.; CORSATO, PAULA C. R.; BELUOMINI, MAISA A.; FERREIRA, ANDRE L.; SANTOS, LETICIA ESTERDOS; BARBOSA, PRISCILLA P.; SIMEONI, CAMILA L.; DE JESUS, MARCELO BISPO; PROENCA-MODENA, JOSE LUIZ; PAIXAO, THIAGO R. L. C.; et al. Smart Textile Electrochemical Capacitive Biosensor for Real-Time Monkeypox Virus Detection. ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, v. 7, n. 7, p. 12-pg., 2025-03-21. (18/08782-1, 22/03250-7, 23/00246-1, 22/10442-0, 22/00723-1, 23/12589-0)