Wooded Quoit Conformation Structural Aptamer-based Sensor for Detecting COVID-19 Variant Antigens in Patients

- Published in the scientific journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics (JCR 1.5% Q1, IF: 12.545) -

- Successful development of an aptamer-based biosensor for detecting COVID-19 variant antigens -

A research team led by Professor Nam-young Kim from the Department of Electronic Engineering, along with Dr. Parshant Kumar Sharma (first author) from the same department, has announced the successful development of an aptamer-based biosensor for detecting COVID-19 variant antigens.

 (Left) Dr. Parshant Kumar Sharma (Right) Professor Nam-young Kim

The COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing spread pose a serious threat to public health, as variants of the coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), continue to undergo genetic changes. These changes can affect the severity of symptoms, the effectiveness of vaccines, and the transmissibility of the virus. In point-of-care diagnostic analysis, specific gene or protein sequences exclusive to each variant can be identified.

Currently, ultra-fast, responsive, and accurate antibody detection faces several challenges. The research team developed a chip capable of ultra-fast (within 5 seconds) and low-cost (0.15 USD) analysis, using label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 S (Spike)/N (Nucleocapsid) proteins and other variants in actual patient samples, with excellent performance in manufacturing, implementation, and detection. A label-free DNA aptamer capacitive biosensing device was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants. The new cutting-edge biosensing device developed a WQCSA (Woodenquits Conformative Structural Aptamer)-based interdigitated capacitor electronics (WQCSA-IDCE) system. The WQCSA-aptamer was used as a switch-on response to achieve ultra-sensitivity in the variable region of SARS-CoV-2 and was used to measure the fluorescent SARS-CoV-2 S/N proteins. The developed sensor can be used with various types of label-free DNA aptamers, functioning as a rapid, cost-effective, and label-free biosensor for a range of severe acute respiratory syndrome diseases.

 [Aptamer-Based Biosensor for Detecting COVID-19 Variant Antigens]

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Priority Research Centers Program and Basic Science Research Program funded by the Ministry of Education (2018R1A6A1A03025242, 2018R1D1A1A09083353, and 2022R1A2C209333612). The research results were published in the internationally renowned journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics (IF=12.545) by Elsevier, under the title 'SARS-CoV-2 Detection in COVID-19 Patients' Samples using Wooden Quoit Conformation Structural Aptamer (WQCSA)-Based Electronic Bio-sensing System.' (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2024.116506)