Expanding the application of graphene vertical devices to dual femtomolar detection of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain in serum and saliva

Author(s)

Mattioli, Isabela A. ; Castro, Karla R. ; Sedenho, Graziela C. ; Macedo, Lucyano J. A. ; Oliveira, Mona N. ; Manuli, Erika R. ; Sabino, Ester C. ; Crespilho, Frank N.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS; v. 239, p. 6-pg., 2023-11-01.

Abstract

The emergence of the graphene-based hybrid electrical-electrochemical vertical device (EEVD) has introduced a promising nanostructured biosensor tailored for point-of-care applications. In this study, we present an innovative EEVD capable of simultaneously detecting the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in both serum and saliva. The foundation of the EEVD lies in a poly-neutral red-graphene heterojunction, which has been enhanced with a bioconjugate of gold nanoparticles and antibodies. The biodevice demonstrates a remarkable limit of detection, registering at the femtomolar scale (2.86 fmol L-1 or 0.1 pg mL-1). Its sensitivity is characterized by a 6.1 mV/decade response, and its operational range spans 10-12 to 10-7 g mL-1 in both serum and saliva samples. With a 20.0 & mu;L of biological samples and a rapid processing time of under 10 min, the EEVD achieves the feat of dual antigen detection. The tests achieved 100.0% specificity, accuracy, and sensitivity in saliva, and 100.0% specificity, 88.9% accuracy, and 80.0% sensitivity in serum. This study highlights the EEVD as a low-cost solution of rapid viral detection during the crucial initial phases of COVID-19 infections. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/04796-8 - In situ and operando studies of metaloenzymes for energy conversion and fuel bioelectrosynthesis
• Grantee: Graziela Cristina Sedenho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/20493-2 - Study of metalloenzymes through electrochemistry coupled to vibrational spectroscopy
• Grantee: Lucyano Jefferson Alves de Macêdo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/12053-8 - High performance electrodes applied in organic batteries and in biofuel cell
• Grantee: Frank Nelson Crespilho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/11071-0 - Development and application of disposable screen-printed composite electrodes based on metallic nanoparticles and graphite-polyurethane
• Grantee: Isabela Alteia Mattioli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 19/15333-1 - Bio-photo-electrochemical hybrid cells for solar energy conversion
• Grantee: Frank Nelson Crespilho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/22214-6 - Towards a convergence of technologies: from sensing and biosensing to information visualization and machine learning for data analysis in clinical diagnosis
• Grantee: Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants