One-by-one single-molecule counting method for digital quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA

Digital counting individual nucleic acid molecule is of great significance for fundamental biological research and accurate diagnosis of genetic diseases, which is hard to achieve with existing single-molecule detection technologies. Herein, we report a novel one-by-one single-molecule counting method for digital quantifi-cation of SARS-Cov-2 RNA. This method uses one fluorescent micromotor functionalized with peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) to specially capture one target RNA molecule. The RNA-micromotors can be propelled by the electric field to target district and accurately counted. Moreover, the method can also clearly dis-criminate one-base mutation in the target RNAs, indicating the great potential for clinical diagnostics and virus traceability survey.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel one-by-one single-molecule counting method for digital quantification of SARS-Cov-2 RNA is reported. The method utilizes a fluorescent micromotor functionalized with peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) to specifically capture the target RNA molecules, enabling accurate counting and discrimination of mutations. This method demonstrates great potential for clinical diagnostics and virus traceability survey.