Ultra-sensitive specific detection of nucleic acids in pathogenic infections by Ta2C-MXene sensitization-based ultrafine plasmon spectroscopy combs

Wen Yang; Jie Yan; Runcheng Liu; Yan Xie; Chuanxin Wang; Zengqiang Kou; Peilong Li; Mingshun Jiang

doi:10.1016/j.snb.2023.133785

Ultra-sensitive specific detection of nucleic acids in pathogenic infections by Ta₂C-MXene sensitization-based ultrafine plasmon spectroscopy combs

Sens Actuators B Chem. 2023 Jul 15:387:133785. doi: 10.1016/j.snb.2023.133785. Epub 2023 Apr 6.

Authors

Wen Yang¹, Jie Yan¹, Runcheng Liu¹, Yan Xie², Chuanxin Wang², Zengqiang Kou³, Peilong Li², Mingshun Jiang¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jingshi Road, 250061 Jinan, China.
² The Second Hospital of Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan 250033, Shandong, China.
³ The Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Shandong, No. 16992, Jingshi Road, Lixia District, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China.

Abstract

Accurate and rapid population-scale screening techniques based on SARS-CoV-2 RNA are essential in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 epidemic. However, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay signal are challenged by the problems of target dilution and sample contamination inherent in high-volume pooled testing. Here, we reported a collaborative system of high-loaded hybrid probes targeting N and OFR1a coupling with the novel Ta₂C-M/Au/TFBG biosensor, providing high-intensity vector signals for detecting SARS-CoV-2. The method relies on a segmental modification approach to saturable modify multiple activation sites of SARS-CoV-2 on the high-performance Ta₂C-M surface. The coupling of multi-site synergy with composite excited TFBG results in excellent signal transduction, detection limits (0.2 pg/mL), and hybridization efficiency. Without relying on amplification, the collaborative system achieved specific differentiation of 30 clinical samples in an average diagnostic time of 1.8 min. In addition, for the first time, a kinetic determination of dilution mixed samples was achieved and showed a high-intensity carrier signal and fantastic stability. Therefore, it can be used as a collaborative, integrated tool to play a massive role in the screening, prevention, and control of COVID-19 and other epidemics.

Keywords: Biological detection; SARS-CoV-2 Omicron; Surface plasmon resonance; Ta2C-MXene; Tilted fiber Bragg grating.