Development of an electrochemical immunosensor based on reduced graphene oxide for the detection of Zika virus

• Grant number: 17/09517-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2017
• End date: July 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Ivana Cesarino
• Grantee: Mariah Zajankauskas Orcati
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

For more than 2 years ago, the arrival of the Zika virus in Brazil has worried authorities and researchers are trying to alleviate the situation in order to avoid recurring cases that have arisen from people with symptoms of the virus and the most worrying of all: cases of microcephaly associated with the Zika virus. There is now a greater number of researches in the area that involve the development of vaccines against infection, and in Brazil, laboratory technology is not yet available for routine diagnosis in health services, and current diagnostic methods are low sensitivity, time consuming and with a demand for a significant sample volume, which is often difficult especially for babies. Thus, this research project aims to develop a more sensitive and fast technology platform to meet the requirements of fast diagnosis and with little sample in the detection of Zika virus. For this, a methodology will be developed for the preparation of electrochemical immunosensors based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and, if necessary, quantum dots of lead, will be used as marker. (AU)