Label-free chemiresistive immunosensors for viruses

Environ Sci Technol. 2010 Dec 1;44(23):9030-5. doi: 10.1021/es102129d. Epub 2010 Nov 8.

Abstract

We report development, characterization, and testing of chemiresistive immunosensors based on single polypyrrole (Ppy) nanowire for highly sensitive, specific, label free, and direct detection of viruses. Bacteriophages T7 and MS2 were used as safe models for viruses for demonstration. Ppy nanowires were electrochemically polymerized into alumina template, and single nanowire based devices were assembled on a pair of gold electrodes by ac dielectrophoretic alignment and anchored using maskless electrodeposition. Anti-T7 or anti-MS2 antibodies were immobilized on single Ppy nanowire using EDC-NHS chemistry to fabricate nanobiosensor for the detection of corresponding bacteriophage. The biosensors showed excellent sensitivity with a lower detection limit of 10(-3) plaque forming unit (PFU) in 10 mM phosphate buffer, wide dynamic range and excellent selectivity. The immunosensors were successfully applied for the detection of phages in spiked untreated urban runoff water samples. The results show the potential of these sensors in health care, environmental monitoring, food safety and homeland security for sensitive, specific, rapid, and affordable detection of bioagents/pathogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Oxide / chemistry
  • Bacteriophage T7 / chemistry
  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Electrodes
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Immunologic Techniques / instrumentation
  • Immunologic Techniques / mortality*
  • Levivirus / chemistry
  • Models, Biological
  • Nanowires / chemistry
  • Nanowires / virology
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Pyrroles / chemistry
  • Viruses / chemistry*
  • Viruses / isolation & purification
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Pollutants / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Pyrroles
  • Water Pollutants
  • polypyrrole
  • Aluminum Oxide