Use of biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection

Pandemija, ki jo je povzročil virus SARS-CoV-2, zahteva hitre, zanesljive, stroškovno sprejemljive in enostavne načine detekcije, da bi se z boleznijo COVID-19 učinkovito spopadli in preprečili njeno širjenje. Obratna transkripcija in verižna reakcija s polimerazo (RT-PCR) je trenutno referenčna metoda in velja za zlati standard v klinični diagnozi. Metoda pa ni najbolj primerna zaradi dolgotrajnih analiz in zahtevne drage opreme ter potreb po usposobljenemu osebju. Tako v klinični praksi kot v domači uporabi je zato zelo razširjena tudi uporaba testov lateralnega toka (LFIA), med katere spadajo tudi hitri antigenski testi (HAGT). Biosenzorji, ki predstavljajo tretjo možnost za detekcijo, so se izkazali kot zmogljiva in učinkovita orodja, saj so sposobni odkrivanja virusnih antigenov, protiteles, RNA celih virusnih delcev in drugih potencialnih biomarkerjev. Nanomateriali, kot so nano zlato, srebro in nikelj, se lahko uporabijo za znatno izboljšanje delovanja biosenzorjev, če pa v biosenzorje vključimo še grafen, ki je čista oblika ogljika, se sposobnost zaznavanja izboljša na bistveno višjo raven. Grafenski tranzistor (Gr-FET), ki je zasnovan kot tranzistor na poljski pojav, je eden od primerov aplikacije grafena, ki je sposoben ultra občutljive detekcije z nizkimi šumi, kar omogoča meritve tudi v primeru prisotnosti majhne količine analitov. Novejše tehnologije predstavljajo velik napredek in izboljšavo v primerjavi s tradicionalnimi metodami detekcije, saj jih lahko uspešno in z večjo mero učinkovitosti, natančnosti, hitrosti in priročnosti uporabljamo tudi za detekcijo SARS-CoV-2.The pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, requires fast, reliable, cost-effective and simple detection methods in order to effectively deal with the COVID-19 disease and prevent its spread. Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is currently the reference method and is considered the gold standard in clinical diagnosis. However, the method is not the most suitable due to the time-consuming analyses and sophisticated, expensive equipment and the need for qualified personnel. The use of lateral flow tests (LFIA), which also includes rapid antigen tests (RAT), is widely used both in clinical practice and at home. Biosensors, which represent a third option for detection, have proven to be powerful and effective tools, as they are capable of detecting viral antigens, antibodies, RNA, entire viral particles and other potential biomarkers. Nanomaterials such as nano gold, silver and nickel can be used to significantly improve the performance of biosensors, and if graphene, which is a pure form of carbon, is incorporated into the biosensors, the sensing ability is improved to a significantly higher level. The graphene transistor (Gr-FET), which is designed as a field-effect transistor, is one example of the application of graphene, which is capable of ultra-sensitive detection with low noise, enabling measurements also in the presence of small amounts of analytes. Newer technologies represent a major advancement and improvement over traditional detection methods, as they can be successfully used to detect SARS-CoV-2 with greater efficiency, accuracy, speed and convenience