(164u) Novel Magnetic Biosensor for COVID-19 Surveillance through Wastewater-Based Epidemiology | AIChE

(164u) Novel Magnetic Biosensor for COVID-19 Surveillance through Wastewater-Based Epidemiology

Authors 

Barua, S., Texas Tech
Gomez Pastora, J., Texas Tech University
Since the first case of human infection by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was identified in December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused around 6 million deaths worldwide according to recent estimates [1]. Despite the preventative efforts to avoid transmission, healthcare systems have been continuously overwhelmed over the last two years. Since the virus is shed in feces and urine [2], wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is considered a promising alternative to estimate the regional infection rates of COVID-19, by measuring the levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the water, which could provide a faster and more economical estimate than individual testing approaches [3]. In this work, a magnetic biosensor is proposed to detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. Our sensor integrates magnetic nanoparticles within an immiscible filtration assisted by surface tension (IFAST) device. First, the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONS) will be synthesized to target specific SARS-CoV-2 proteins (S protein), whose binding capability will be assessed through ELISA tests. Second, the miniaturized IFAST-liked device will be fabricated, and the viral load will be quantified through fluorescence measurements. Our system efficiency will be also compared to the conventional RT-qPCR assays. The proposed device can be fabricated at a relatively low cost and has the potential to be easily operated at the point-of-care for COVID-19 monitoring, for example, in high-risk settings (nursing homes and hospitals) and low-resource areas (where pit toilets and septic tanks are mostly used). Moreover, this research will generate useful information about the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration in wastewater and the number of reported cases in a specific setting, which foments further research on the prediction power of WBE for COVID-19.

REFERENCES

  1. John Hopkins University. Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center [Internet]. Global cases [cited 2022 Apr 10]. Available from: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
  2. Patel M, Chaubey AK, Pittman CU, Mlsna T, Mohan D. Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in the environment: Occurrence, persistence, analysis in aquatic systems and possible management. Total Environ. 765:142698.
  3. Lu D, Zhu DZ, Gan H, Yao Z, Fu Q, Zhang X. Prospects and challenges of using electrochemical immunosensors as an alternative detection method for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater-based epidemiology. Total Environ. 777:146239.