All-solid-state SARS-CoV-2 protein biosensor employing colloidal quantum dots-modified electrode

Rapid and reliable detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody can provide immunological evidence in addition to nucleic acid test for the early diagnosis and on-site screening of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All-solid-state biosensor capable of rapid, quantitative SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing is still lacking. Herein, we propose an electronic labelling strategy of protein molecules and demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 protein biosensor employing colloidal quantum dots (CQDs)-modified electrode. The feature current peak corresponding to the specific binding reaction of SARS-CoV-2 antigen and antibody proteins was observed for the first time. The unique charging and discharging effect depending on the alternating voltage applied was ascribed to the quantum confinement, Coulomb blockade and quantum tunneling effects of quantum dots. CQDs-modified electrode could recognize the specific binding reaction between antigen and antibody and then transduce it into significant electrical current. In the case of serum specimens from COVID-19 patient samples, the all-solid-state protein biosensor provides quantitative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibody with correlation coefficient of 93.8% compared to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results. It discriminates patient and normal samples with accuracy of about 90%. The results could be read within 1 min by handheld testing system prototype. The sensitive and specific protein biosensor combines the advantages of rapidity, accuracy, and convenience, facilitating the implement of low-cost, high-throughput immunological diagnostic technique for clinical lab, point-of-care testing (POCT) as well as home-use test.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel all-solid-state biosensor capable of rapid and quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibody was developed. The biosensor employed colloidal quantum dots (CQDs)-modified electrode and demonstrated the ability to detect specific binding reactions between SARS-CoV-2 antigen and antibody proteins. The results showed high correlation with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results and accurate discrimination between patient and normal samples. The sensitive and specific biosensor offers rapidity, accuracy, and convenience, making it suitable for clinical lab, point-of-care testing, and home-use testing.