Engineered RNA biosensors enable ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection in a simple color and luminescence assay.

ABSTRACT: The continued resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic with multiple variants underlines the need for diagnostics that are adaptable to the virus. We have developed toehold RNA-based sensors across the SARS-CoV-2 genome for direct and ultrasensitive detection of the virus and its prominent variants. Here, isothermal amplification of a fragment of SARS-CoV-2 RNA coupled with activation of our biosensors leads to a conformational switch in the sensor. This leads to translation of a reporter protein, for example, LacZ or nano-lantern that is easily detected using color/luminescence. By optimizing RNA amplification and biosensor design, we have generated a highly sensitive diagnostic assay that is capable of detecting as low as 100 copies of viral RNA with development of bright color. This is easil

SUBMITTER: Chakravarthy A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8500229 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature