SARS-CoV-2 detection with aptamer-functionalized gold nanoparticles

Srivatsa Aithal; Sarah Mishriki; Rohit Gupta; Rakesh P Sahu; George Botos; Shazia Tanvir; Russell W Hanson; Ishwar K Puri

doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122841

SARS-CoV-2 detection with aptamer-functionalized gold nanoparticles

Talanta. 2022 Jan 1:236:122841. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122841. Epub 2021 Sep 1.

Authors

Srivatsa Aithal¹, Sarah Mishriki², Rohit Gupta¹, Rakesh P Sahu³, George Botos⁴, Shazia Tanvir⁵, Russell W Hanson⁶, Ishwar K Puri⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
² School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ Genemis Laboratories, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada; Aptavid, New York, USA.
⁵ Genemis Laboratories, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
⁶ Aptavid, New York, USA.
⁷ Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: ikpuri@mcmaster.ca.

Abstract

A rapid detection test for SARS-CoV-2 is urgently required to monitor virus spread and containment. Here, we describe a test that uses nanoprobes, which are gold nanoparticles functionalized with an aptamer specific to the spike membrane protein of SARS-CoV-2. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirms aptamer binding with the spike protein on gold surfaces. Protein recognition occurs by adding a coagulant, where nanoprobes with no bound protein agglomerate while those with sufficient bound protein do not. Using plasmon absorbance spectra, the nanoprobes detect 16 nM and higher concentrations of spike protein in phosphate-buffered saline. The time-varying light absorbance is examined at 540 nm to determine the critical coagulant concentration required to agglomerates the nanoprobes, which depends on the protein concentration. This approach detects 3540 genome copies/μl of inactivated SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: Aptamer; Biosensing; Gold nanoparticle; SARS-CoV-2; Spike protein; Surface plasmon resonance.

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Gold
Humans
Metal Nanoparticles*
Oligonucleotides
SARS-CoV-2

Substances

Oligonucleotides
Gold