One-step, Wash-free, Nanoparticle Clustering-based Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy (MPS) Bioassay Method for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Nucleocapsid Proteins in Liquid Phase

TL;DR

This paper introduces a rapid, one-step magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins, offering a simple, high-accuracy diagnostic tool suitable for resource-limited settings.

Contribution

The study presents a novel, wash-free MPS-based bioassay for SARS-CoV-2 detection that simplifies the diagnostic process and enhances accessibility.

Findings

Achieved rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 proteins

Demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity

Reduced assay complexity and time

Abstract

With the ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is an increasing quest for more accessible, easy-to-use, rapid, inexpensive, and high accuracy diagnostic tools. Traditional disease diagnostic methods such as qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription-PCR) and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) require multiple steps, trained technicians, and long turnaround time that may worsen the disease surveillance and pandemic control. In sight of this situation, a rapid, one-step, easy-to-use, and high accuracy diagnostic platform will be valuable for future epidemic control especially for regions with scarce medical resources. Herein, we report a magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) platform for detection of SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers: spike and nucleocapsid proteins.