A comprehensive review on plasmonic-based biosensors used in viral diagnostics

Abstract

The proliferation and transmission of viruses has become a threat to worldwide biosecurity, as exemplified by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Early diagnosis of viral infection and disease control have always been critical. Virus detection can be achieved based on various plasmonic phenomena, including propagating surface plasmon resonance (SPR), localized SPR, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, surface-enhanced fluorescence and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy. The present review covers all available information on plasmonic-based virus detection, and collected data on these sensors based on several parameters. These data will assist the audience in advancing research and development of a new generation of versatile virus biosensors.

Fig. 1. Different types of recognition agent-based biosensors and virus target.

a immunosensor (or antibody-based biosensor), b DNA-based biosensor, c antigen-based biosensor, d cell-based biosensors, and e molecular imprinting-based biosensors.

Fig. 2. Various common configurations to achieve SPR.

a Prism based, b optical fiber based, and c grating based. d SPR response during sensor fabrication using immobilization of four serotypes of dengue antigen at each step used for the detection of DENV IgM antibodies. Reprinted with permission from ref. (Springer Nature publishing group). e LSPR: the behavior of metallic nanosphere in an external EM field. Reprinted with permission from ref. (MDPI publication group). f Antibody-functionalized GNRs for the HBs antigen detection mechanism and its application in various matrices. Reprinted with permission from ref. (Elsevier).

Fig. 3. Surface-enhanced plasmonic sensor.

a Schematic of the surface-enhanced fluorescence principle. Reprinted with permission from ref. (Royal Society of Chemistry). b HIV detection platform over gold NP array. Reprinted with permission from ref. (American Chemical Society). c Illustration of a lateral flow-based SERS system presenting (i) AuNS–ATP–mAb SERS tag fabrication, (ii) proposed sensing device, and working principle of the sensor (iii) with and (iv) without influenza A nucleoprotein. Reprinted with permission from ref. (Royal Society of Chemistry). d An example of a SEIRA platform for tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) mapping: (i) TMV protein structure, (ii) topographical image of TMV over a silicon substrate, (iii) IR, near-field phase mapping at two different frequencies (1660 and 1720 cm⁻¹), and (iv) nano-FTIR spectrum of TMV. Reprinted with permission from ref. (Springer Nature).