Ultra-sensitive Capacitive Biosensor for Multiplex Viruses Detection to Prevent Zoonotic Outbreaks

JOSHIN KUMAR, Max Xu, Yuezhi (August) Li, Shu-Wen You, Joseph V. Puthussery, Rajan K. Chakrabarty, Washington University in St. Louis

     Abstract Number: 248
     Working Group: Bioaerosols

Abstract
Recent outbreaks of respiratory viruses have underscored the need for sensitive, rapid, and specific diagnostic methods for viruses, particularly those capable of animal to human (zoonotic) transmission. In this study, we introduce a rapid label-free capacitive biosensor based on the excellent dielectric property of Prussian Blue (PB) deposited on Screen Printed Carbon Electrodes (SPCEs) to provide ultra-sensitive detection of viruses with multiplex potential in the practical application.

The strategy involves the immobilization of target-specific antibodies on SPCEs, followed by the electrodeposition of PB. The surface dielectric layer capacitance (Cdl) was analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the normalized changes of Cdl were owed to the capture of target viruses. The normalized ΔCdl showed a linear correlation with the concentration range from 25 viral copies/ml to 1000 copies/ml for both SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 in the PBS. Furthermore, the platform was tested with swab samples from animal processing facility spiked with viruses, and provided specific detection only to the target of interest with very low interference from other existed contaminants.

This novel approach with competitive sensitivity, selectivity, and a potential for multiplexed detection promises significant advancement in the early prevention of diseases transmission, enhancing our ability to combat zoonotic outbreaks.