Fast-response electrochemical biosensor based on a truncated aptamer and MXene heterolayer for West Nile virus detection in human serum

Utilising biosensor-based approaches for identifying neurotropic viruses

Neurotropic viruses, with their ability to invade the central nervous system, present a significant public health challenge, causing a spectrum of neurological diseases. Clinical manifestations of neurotropic viral infections vary widely, from mild to life-threatening conditions, such as HSV-induced encephalitis or poliovirus-induced poliomyelitis. Traditional diagnostic methods, including polymerase chain reaction, serological assays, and imaging techniques, though valuable, have limitations. To address these challenges, biosensor-based methods have emerged as a promising approach. These methods offer advantages such as rapid results, high sensitivity, specificity, and potential for point-of-care applications. By targeting specific biomarkers or genetic material, biosensors utilise technologies like surface plasmon resonance and microarrays, providing a direct and efficient means of diagnosing neurotropic infections. This review explores the evolving landscape of biosensor-based methods, highlighting their potential to enhance the diagnostic toolkit for neurotropic viruses.

An aptamer and Au/Si CCA based SERS sensor for ultra-sensitive detection of Vimentin during EMT in gastric cancer

Introduction: In this study, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor based on a functionalized Au/Si cap-cone array (Au/Si CCA) was constructed using the identity-release strategy to detect Vimentin changes during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: The periodic structure of Au/Si CCA, which can form "hot spots" with high density and regular arrangement, is a substrate with excellent performance. Au/Si CCA was functionalized with aptamers as the capture substrate, and Au nanocubes (AuNCs) were modified with 5-carboxyfluorescein (5-FAM) labelled complementary strand as SERS probe. The capture substrate and SERS probe were assembled by hybridization, and the SERS signal intensity of 5-FAM was greatly enhanced. The binding of Vimentin to the aptamer resulted in a broken connection between the SERS sensor Au/Si CCA array and AuNCs, which resulted in a decrease in the signal intensity of 5-FAM. The identity-release strategy requires only a simple step of reaction to achieve rapid detection of target proteins, which has clinical practicability. Results: Using this protocol, the concentration of Vimentin in GES-1 cells could be successfully detected, and the detection limit was as low as 4.92 pg/mL. Biological experiments of Vincristine, Oncovin (VCR)-treated GES-1 cells effectively mimicked the EMT process, and Vimentin changes during EMT could be accurately detected by this method. Discussion: This study provides a selective, ultra-sensitive and accurate assay for Vimentin detection, which may provide a means for the future detection of EMT process in GC.