Engineered RNA biosensors enable ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection in a simple color and luminescence assay

• DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101213
• Publication Date: 2021-09-30T17:12:46Z
• Authors: Anirudh Chakravarthy; Anirudh Nandakumar; Geen George; Shyamsundar Ranga...; Suchitta Umashankar; Nishan Shettigar; Dasaradhi Palakodeti; Akash Gulyani; Arati Ramesh
• Keywords: Luminescent Measurements

The continued resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic with multiple variants underlines need for diagnostics that are adaptable to virus. We have developed toehold RNA-based sensors across SARS-CoV-2 genome direct and ultrasensitive detection virus its prominent variants. Here, isothermal amplification a fragment RNA coupled activation our biosensors leads conformational switch in sensor. This translation reporter protein, example, LacZ or nano-lantern is easily detected using color/luminescence. By optimizing biosensor design, we generated highly sensitive diagnostic assay capable detecting as low 100 copies viral development bright color. visualized by human eye quantifiable spectrophotometry. Finally, this PHAsed NASBA-Translation Optical Method (PHANTOM) engineered efficiently detects patient samples. work presents powerful universally accessible strategy further evolution brings bioengineering center-stage.