Rapid and ultrasensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein based on upconversion luminescence biosensor for COVID-19 point-of-care diagnostics

Lihua Li, Menglin Song, Xinyue Lao, Sin Yi Pang, Yuan Liu, Man Chung Wong, Yingjin Ma, Mo Yang, Jianhua Hao

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Here, we firstly introduce a detection system consisting of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and Au nanorods (AuNRs) for an ultrasensitive, rapid, quantitative and on-site detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) effect. Briefly, the UCNPs capture the S protein of lysed SARS-CoV-2 in the swabs and subsequently they are bound with the anti-S antibodies modified AuNRs, resulting in significant nonradiative transitions from UCNPs (donors) to AuNRs (acceptors) at 480 nm and 800 nm, respectively. Notably, the specific recognition and quantitation of S protein can be realized in minutes at 800 nm because of the low autofluorescence and high Yb-Tm energy transfer in upconversion process. Inspiringly, the limit of detection (LOD) of the S protein can reach down to 1.06 fg mL−1, while the recognition of nucleocapsid protein is also comparable with a commercial test kit in a shorter time (only 5 min). The established strategy is technically superior to those reported point-of-care biosensors in terms of detection time, cost, and sensitivity, which paves a new avenue for future on-site rapid viral screening and point-of-care diagnostics.

Original languageEnglish
Article number111263
JournalMaterials and Design
Volume223
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2022

Keywords

  • Au nanorods
  • COVID-19 point-of-care diagnostics
  • FRET effect
  • SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
  • Upconversion nanoparticles

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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