Aptamer-based Emerging Tools for Viral Biomarker Detection: A Focus on SARS-CoV-2

Viral infections can cause fatal illnesses to humans as well as animals. Early detection of viruses is therefore crucial to provide effective treatment to patients. Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly given an alarming call to develop rapid and sensitive detection platforms. The viral diagnostic tools need to be fast, affordable, and easy to operate with high sensitivity and specificity equivalent or superior to the currently used diagnostic methods. The present detection methods include direct detection of viral antigens or measuring the response of antibodies to viral infections. However, the sensitivity and quantification of the virus are still a significant challenge. Detection tools employing synthetic binding molecules like aptamers may provide several advantages over the conventional methods that use antibodies in the assay format. Aptamers are highly stable and tailorable molecules and are therefore ideal for detection and chemical sensing applications. This review article discusses various advances made in aptamer-based viral detection platforms, including electrochemical, optical, and colorimetric methods to detect viruses, specifically SARS-Cov-2. Considering the several advantages, aptamers could be game-changing in designing high-throughput biosensors for viruses and other biomedical applications in the future.

Automated summary

Viral infections can be fatal to humans and animals, and early detection is crucial for effective treatment. Current detection methods face challenges in sensitivity and quantification of the virus. Aptamers, synthetic binding molecules, show promise in viral detection with their stability and adaptability. This review discusses advances in aptamer-based viral detection platforms, including electrochemical, optical, and colorimetric methods for detecting viruses like SARS-Cov-2. Aptamers could revolutionize the design of high-throughput biosensors for viruses and other biomedical applications in the future.