COVID-19: A challenge for electrochemical biosensors

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has spread since the end of 2019 and has resulted in a pandemic with unprecedented socioeconomic consequences. This situation has created enormous demand for the improvement of current diagnostic methods and the development of new diagnostic methods for fast, low-cost and user-friendly confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This critical review focuses on viral electrochemical biosensors that are promising for the development of rapid medical COVID-19 diagnostic tools. The molecular biological properties of SARS-CoV-2 as well as currently known biochemical attributes of infection necessary for biosensor development are outlined. The advantages and drawbacks of conventional diagnostic methods, such as quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), are critically discussed. Electrochemical biosensors focusing on viral nucleic acid and whole viral particle detection are highlighted and discussed in detail. Finally, future perspectives on viral electrochemical biosensor development are briefly mentioned. 0 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a demand for improvement and development of diagnostic methods, with electrochemical biosensors showing promise as rapid, low-cost, and user-friendly tools. This critical review outlines the molecular properties of SARS-CoV-2 and discusses the advantages and drawbacks of conventional diagnostic methods while highlighting the potential of electrochemical biosensors. Future perspectives on viral electrochemical biosensor development are briefly mentioned.