Surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based immunoassay for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Hyunjung Cha, Hye-Ran Kim, Younju Joung, Hyunju Kang, Jeong Moon, Hyowon Jang, Sohyun Park, Hyung‐Jun Kwon, In‐Chul Lee, Sun‐Joo Kim, Dongeun Yong, Sun‐Woo Yoon, Sung‐Gyu Park, Kyeonghye Guk, Eun‐Kyung Lim, Hyun Gyu Park, Jaebum Choo, Juyeon Jung, Taejoon Kang
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected humans worldwide for over a year now. Although various tests have been developed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, advanced sensing methods are required for the diagnosis, screening, and surveillance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we report a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based immunoassay involving an antibody pair, SERS-active hollow Au nanoparticles (NPs), and magnetic beads for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The selected antibody pair against the SARS-CoV-2 antigen, along with the magnetic beads, facilitates the accurate direct detection of the virus. The hollow Au NPs exhibit strong, reproducible SERS signals, allowing sensitive quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2. This assay had detection limits of 2.56 fg/mL for the SARS-CoV-2 antigen and 3.4 plaque-forming units/mL for the SARS-CoV-2 lysates. Furthermore, it facilitated the identification of SARS-CoV-2 in human nasopharyngeal aspirates and diagnosis of COVID-19 within 30 min using a portable Raman device. Thus, this assay can be potentially used for the diagnosis and prevention of COVID-19.