Fiber-optic label-free biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein detection using biofunctionalized long-period fiber grating

With COVID-19 widespread worldwide, people are still struggling to develop faster and more accurate diagnostic methods. Here we demonstrated the label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by employing a SARS-CoV2 spike antibody-conjugated phase-shifted long-period fiber grating (PS-LPFG) inscribed with a CO2 laser. At a specific cladding mode, the wavelength separation (lambda D) between the two split dips of a PS-LPFG varies with the external refractive index, although it is virtually insensitive to ambient temperature variations. To detect SARSCoV-2 spike protein, SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies were immobilized on the fiber surface of the fabricated PSLPFG functionalized through chemical modification. When exposed to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with different concentrations, the antibody-immobilized PS-LPFG exhibited the variation of lambda D according to the protein concentration, which was caused by bioaffinity binding-induced local changes in the refractive index at its surface. In particular, we also confirmed the potential of our sensor for clinical application by detecting SARSCoV-2 spike protein in virus transport medium. Moreover, our sensor could distinguish SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from those of MERS-CoV and offer efficient properties such as reusability and storage stability. Hence, we have successfully fabricated a promising optical transducer for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which can be unperturbed by external temperature disturbances.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using a PS-LPFG conjugated with SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies. The sensor showed specific spectral changes at different protein concentrations, indicating its potential for clinical applications.