Biosensor and molecular-based methods for the detection of human coronaviruses: A review

Addisu Demeke Teklemariam; Manalee Samaddar; Mona G Alharbi; Rashad R Al-Hindi; Arun K Bhunia

doi:10.1016/j.mcp.2020.101662

Biosensor and molecular-based methods for the detection of human coronaviruses: A review

Mol Cell Probes. 2020 Dec:54:101662. doi: 10.1016/j.mcp.2020.101662. Epub 2020 Sep 8.

Authors

Addisu Demeke Teklemariam¹, Manalee Samaddar², Mona G Alharbi¹, Rashad R Al-Hindi¹, Arun K Bhunia³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, 47907, IN, USA; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, 47907, IN, USA.
³ Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, 47907, IN, USA; Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, 47907, IN, USA; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, 47907, IN, USA. Electronic address: bhunia@purdue.edu.

Abstract

The ongoing crisis due to the global pandemic caused by a highly contagious coronavirus (Coronavirus disease - 2019; COVID-19) and the lack of either proven effective therapy or a vaccine has made diagnostic a valuable tool in disease tracking and prevention. The complex nature of this newly emerging virus calls for scientists' attention to find the most reliable, highly sensitive, and selective detection techniques for better control or spread of the disease. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serology-based tests are currently being used. However, the speed and accuracy of these tests may not meet the current demand; thus, alternative technology platforms are being developed. Nano biosensor technology platforms have been established as a promising diagnostic tool for rapid and accurate detection of viruses as well as other life-threatening diseases even in resource-limited settings. This review aims to provide a short overview of recent advancements in molecular and biosensor-based diagnosis of viruses, including the human coronaviruses, and highlight the challenges and future perspectives of these detection technologies.

Keywords: Biosensors; COVID-19; Coronavirus; MERS-CoV; RT-PCR; SARS-CoV.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Biosensing Techniques / methods*
COVID-19 / diagnosis*
COVID-19 Serological Testing / methods*
Humans
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / genetics
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / isolation & purification
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / diagnosis*
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / genetics
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / immunology
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / isolation & purification
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods