The role of biosensors in coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak

Abstract

Herein, we have summarized and argued about biomarkers and indicators used for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Antibody detection methods are not considered suitable to screen individuals at early stages and asymptomatic cases. The diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 using biomarkers and indicators at point-of-care level is much crucial. Therefore, it is urgently needed to develop rapid and sensitive detection methods which can target antigens. We have critically elaborated key role of biosensors to cope the outbreak situation. In this review, the importance of biosensors including electrochemical, surface enhanced Raman scattering, field-effect transistor, and surface plasmon resonance biosensors in the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has been underscored. Finally, we have outlined pros and cons of diagnostic approaches and future directions.

Keywords: Diagnostics; Electrochemical biosensors; Field-effect transistor biosensors; Plasmonic biosensors; SARS-CoV-2.

Graphical abstract

Figure 1

Structure of SARS-CoV-2 and detection approaches. (a) Schematic illustration of SARS-CoV-2 structure and four structural proteins. (b) Schematic illustration of currently used diagnostic techniques and possible biosensing platforms for COVID-19. COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Figure 2

Plasmonic photothermal biosensors in SARS-CoV-2 detection. (a) Scheme and (b) experimental setup of the dual-functional PPT-enhanced LSPR biosensor, (c) concentrations of several viral oligos measured using LSPR biosensor, (b) Schematic representation of FET-based biosensor for COVID-19 diagnosis [31]. FET, field-effect transistor; PPT, plasmonic photothermal; LSPR, localized surface plasmon resonance. For figure 2A: Qiu G, Gai Z, Tao Y, Schmitt J, Kullak-Ublick GA, Wang J: Dualfunctional plasmonic photothermal biosensors for highly accurate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 detection. ACS Nano 2020, 14:5268–5277. Note: further permissions related to the material excerpted should be directed to the ACS: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.0c02439 (for the article DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c02439). For figure 2B: Rapid Detection of COVID-19 Causative Virus (SARS-CoV-2) in Human Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimens Using Field-Effect Transistor-Based Biosensor (ACS Nano 2020, 14, 4, 5135–5142). Note: further permissions related to the material excerpted should be directed to the ACS: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.0c02823 (for the article DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c02823).

Figure 3

Electrochemical biosensors in SARS-CoV-2 detection. (a) Chip array, immunosensor fabrication process, and detection of viruses [35]. (b) The modification process of FTO electrode and its working in three electrodes system. (c) Schematic representation of in-house built EC eCovSens device [37]. FTO, fluorine-doped tin oxide electrode; EC, electrochemical.

Figure 4

SERS biosensors in the detection of respiratory viruses. (a) Preparation of antibody-modified Fe₃O₄@Ag nanotags. (b) Mechanistic representation of magnetic SERS-based biosensor for the detection of respiratory viruses [38].