We developed a new surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based aptasensor platform capable of quantifying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lysates with a high sensitivity. In this study, a spike protein deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) aptamer was used as a receptor, and a self-grown Au nanopopcorn surface was used as a SERS detection substrate for the sensible detection of SARS-CoV-2. A quantitative analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 lysate was performed by monitoring the change in the SERS peak intensity caused by the new binding between the aptamer DNA released from the Au nanopopcorn surface and the spike protein in the SARS-CoV-2 virion. This technique enables detecting SARS-CoV-2 with a limit of detection (LoD) of less than 10 PFU/mL within 15 min. The results of this study demonstrate the possibility of a clinical application that can dramatically improve the detection limit and accuracy of the currently commercialized SARS-CoV-2 immunodiagnostic kit.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; aptamer; spike protein; surface-enhanced Raman scattering.