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Review
. 2022 Mar 17;12(3):179.
doi: 10.3390/bios12030179.

Microfluidics-Based Biosensing Platforms: Emerging Frontiers in Point-of-Care Testing SARS-CoV-2 and Seroprevalence

Affiliations
Review

Microfluidics-Based Biosensing Platforms: Emerging Frontiers in Point-of-Care Testing SARS-CoV-2 and Seroprevalence

Elda A Flores-Contreras et al. Biosensors (Basel). .

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019) outbreak and has unprecedentedly impacted the public health and economic sector. The pandemic has forced researchers to focus on the accurate and early detection of SARS-CoV-2, developing novel diagnostic tests. Among these, microfluidic-based tests stand out for their multiple benefits, such as their portability, low cost, and minimal reagents used. This review discusses the different microfluidic platforms applied in detecting SARS-CoV-2 and seroprevalence, classified into three sections according to the molecules to be detected, i.e., (1) nucleic acid, (2) antigens, and (3) anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Moreover, commercially available alternatives based on microfluidic platforms are described. Timely and accurate results allow healthcare professionals to perform efficient treatments and make appropriate decisions for infection control; therefore, novel developments that integrate microfluidic technology may provide solutions in the form of massive diagnostics to control the spread of infectious diseases.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; biosensors; chip; diagnostics; microfluidic.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The number of publications per year on microfluidics applied in diagnosis. Note: Scopus database using a combination of the keywords “microfluidics” and “diagnosis”.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of a basic workflow using a microfluidic platform capable of sensing molecules such as nucleic acid, antigens, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, producing a signal output. Created with Biorender.com (accessed on 11 February 2022) and extracted under premium membership.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Graphical summary of microfluidic techniques used to detect nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 and its main characteristics. Created with Biorender.com (accessed on 11 February 2022) and extracted under premium membership.

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