key: cord-0702192-od47dfmz
authors: Mobed, Ahmad; Sepehri, Ebrahim
title: Biosensors promising bio-device for pandemic screening “COVID-19“
date: 2021-02-19
journal: Microchem J
DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2021.106094
sha: ac63cf491d75557a071761d5019702395b72ec42
doc_id: 702192
cord_uid: od47dfmz

Undoubtedly, the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most influential events not only in medicine but also in the economic field in the world. Rapid transmission and high mortality rates, as well as prolonged and asymptomatic communal periods, are the most important reasons for the global panic due to coronavirus. Since coronavirus treatment and specific vaccines are not yet available, early detection of the virus is critical. A rapid and accurate diagnosis can play a crucial role in the treatment and control of the COVID 19 disease. Serological, ELISA, and molecular-based tests, including PCR and RT-PCR, are among the most important routine methods for detecting coronaviruses. False-positive/negative results, low sensitivity and specificity, and the need for advanced equipment are among the disadvantages and problems of routine methods. To eliminate the drawbacks of routine methods, new technologies are being developed. Biosensors are one of the most important ones. This paper is a summary of the up-to-date states of innovative bio-sensing tools for the ultrasensitive detection of coronaviruses (COVID 19) with encouraging uses for future challenges in disease diagnosis.

Coronaviruses are one of the most important and frequent sources of respiratory diseases in humans with six main species [1] . 229E (HCoV-229E), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and HCoV-OC43 are three known human coronaviruses that commonly exist. SARS-CoV2 is most narrowly associated with two bat-derived SARS-like coronaviruses with 90% identity, and 80% and 50% identity with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV respectively. In December 2019, numerous patients with viral pneumonia were established to be epidemiologically related to the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China,

where several of animals such as rabbits and birds had been on sale beforehand of the epidemic.

Novel coronavirus, temporarily called (2019-nCoV) and recognized with the use of nextgeneration sequencing, is able to cause serious infection in humans, such as unknown pneumonia which widely broken out in the world [2, 3] . Due to unknown molecular and genomic regions with multiple mutations known in various genomic regions, the new coronavirus is quite dissimilar from/to both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV [2] . Based on genomic characteristics of coronavirus, the current diagnostic tests for coronavirus ,include RT-PCR, rRT-PCR (real-time reverse transcription PCR), and RT-LAMP (reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification) as well as real-time RT-LAMP [4, 5] . Due to the limitations and problems related to old and modern methods of development of biosensors in recent years has received more attention of researchers [6] . Biosensor technology can be involved in optical sensor wearable sensor, smart band, cell-based sensors, plasmonic photothermal sensor, and nano-sensor which can be applied to diagnose the COVID-19 [7, 8] . Findings from several studies show that biosensors are tools with high sensitivity and specificity as well as fast performance that can be a good alternative to common methods of coronavirus detection [9] [10] [11] . Even though unique features, biosensors are simple, cost-effective tools that will be very useful in pandemic screening "COVID-19" [8, 11] .

A computerized tomography (CT) scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different sites around the body and uses computer management to generate cross-sectional images of the various organs such as soft tissues, bones, blood vessels, and inside the body. Compared with Xray methods, CT scan images deliver additional, comprehensive data [12, 13] .

A CT can be used to image approximately all parts of the body, and is used to diagnose some injures or diseases as well as for radiation or surgical treatment and other medical strategies [14] [15] [16] . CT scan is extensively used as a reliable test for screening the COVID-19 patients. ground-glass opacities in the right lung. C, D, Images attained two days later shows progressive ground-glass opacities through minor parts of consolidation in the center. E, On the sixth day, images display the amount, density, and range of lesions in the right lung enlarged extra. F, G, H, Images attained on the 9-th day exhibit that lesions grown further and complicated both lungs, with thickened interlobular septa around the lesion in the upper lobe of the right lung, and the presence of small two-sided pleural effusions [17] .

As can be seen in the figure.1, the disease progression has appeared in images A to image H of the CT scan. The progress of the disease is characterized by a small opacity region in the right lung of the image C; with the progression of the disease after a few days, the opacity region increased and eventually involved both lungs in the image H [17] . In general, the results obtained from CT scan images are reliable but not specific because the same results are obtained from other acute respiratory diseases [16, 18, 19] . Although, the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are nonspecific, chest CT scan is the most important diagnostic method and its feature includes bilateral, multiple, patchy consolidation and ground-glass opacity with the sub-pleural distribution.

Dynamic observation of chest CT could help rapid diagnosis, evaluate patient's condition, screen disease progress, and adjust therapeutic strategy [20] . Despite the unique and suitable features of CT scan, it seems that the most important drawback of this method is the need for advanced and expensive devices and similar and indistinguishable results with other acute respiratory diseases [21] . Finally, although routine laboratory tests, such as serological procedures, are available, CT scans are reliable, according to studies.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) are the most important tests and are used as gold standards for nucleic acid diagnostic biomarkers. However, such conventional tests work on a higher concentration of target molecules; they make the methodology most appropriate for highly sensitive detection and commonly needs expensive, advanced equipment and experienced personnel for the intricate process [16, 22, 23] . A real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) the assay was established to quickly detect the SARS-CoV based on multiple primers and probe sets in different regions of the SARS-CoV genome. This molecular method could discriminate SARS-CoV from other human and animal coronaviruses with an acceptable LOD of genomic copies per reaction [24] . During novel a novel experimental study, the authorized and fast investigative method to identify SARS-CoV-2 with Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) the assay was developed. The created system is adjusted based on isothermal amplification of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids and reported as a sensitive and reliable tool [25, 26] . Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) loci and their associated (Cas) proteins deliver adaptive immunity against viral infection in prokaryotes [27] . Several intrinsic features of CRISPR-based immunity have provided the most important opportunities for industrial uses such as hyper-variability for typing determinations, driving viral evolution, expecting and modifying virus resistance in performing natural genetic tagging of some microbes. Additionally, CRISPR spacer content offers the potential for permanent use of industrial microbes [28, 29] . Alternatively, the ability of CRISPR/ Cas systems to prevent the transfer of specific nucleic acid sequences such as a DNA phage or plasmid into a host might be exploited by genetic engineering to impede the distribution of unappealing genetic elements, such as genes damaging and antibiotic-resistance markers to/in existing organisms and humans. CRISPR/ Cas systems may also be used to limit the spread of portable genetic elements such as attachment sequences and transposons in intracellular milieu. CRISPR/Cas systems capable of targeting RNA sequences can affect the transcription of nucleic acid and therefore affect immunity [28] .

The mechanism of targeting RNA and DNA by the CRISPR/Cas systems and interfering with nucleic acid sequences of viruses, phages, and plasmids, Otherwise, the capacity of CRISPR/ Cas systems to obstruct the transfer of specific nucleic acid sequences such as plasmid DNA or phage into a host might be exploited via genetic engineering to precisely prevent the distribution of adverse genetic elements, such as antibiotic-resistance markers and genes harmful to humans and other living organisms. It may also be planned to limit the intracellular extent of mobile genetic elements such as insertion sequences(IS) and transposons. On the other hand, to providing immunity, CRISPR/Cas systems that target RNA have the potential to affect the transcript stability of chromosomal elements [28] .

For the first time, the CRISPR/Cas9-based method was established to detect the Zika virus in 2016 [30] . By the most novel study, CRISPR-Cas12 technology was applied for detection of SARS-CoV-2. The reported technique could qualify point-of-care analysis of the clinical diagnostic laboratory and be used in public places such as clinics, local emergency units, airports, and other locations [31] . All-In-One Dual CRISPR-Cas12a system named "AIOD-CRISPR" evaluation technique was established for ultra-sensitive, simple, and rapid detection of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and HIV. This work was a visual detection platform and a pair of crRNAs was introduced to deposit dual CRISPR-Cas12a recognition and increase detection sensitivity. The AIOD-CRISPR assay system was effectively employed to detect DNA and RNA of SARS-CoV-2 and HIV with a sensitivity of low copies. Also, it was assessed by identifying HIV-1 RNA extracted from human plasma samples, attaining an equal sensitivity with real-time RT-PCR method [32] . [32] .

We show in Figure 3 the principle of the AIOD-CRISPR assay, as described by X. Ding et al. In this study, the authors show that AIOD-CRISPR evaluation can be openly visualized by the naked eye. For that reason, the AIOD-CRISPR method will simplify CRISPR-based next-generation molecular diagnostics in the direction of point-of-care applications. 

We summarize the main characteristics advantages, and disadvantages of conventional methods in Figure 4 and Table 1 . To eliminate these limitations, biosensors can be ideal as advanced and modern tools.

The first biosensor, invented in 1962 by Clark and Lyons to diagnose the glosses/glasser's disease, is broadly developed, especially in connection with infectious diseases due to its technological advantages. Various types of viral targets and affinity reagents such as an antibody, aptamer, peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and whole-cell are used extensively in biosensors technology. Antigenantibody based biosensors (Immunosensors), nucleic acid-based biosensors (Genosensors) and

whole cell-based biosensors are the most developed biosensors in the detection of viral infection [6, 8, 37] . Due to the quick and successful isolation of antibodies in connection with broad analytes, the expansion of immunosensors has become more considerable in recent years [38] . Owing to the advantages of electrochemical biosensors, such as high sensitivity and specificity, low cost, and simple structure as well as the ability to miniaturize, electrochemical biosensors are more suitable for diagnosing viral infections [39, 40] . Changes in conductivity of solutions (conductometry), provide measurable current at variable potential (voltammetry), quantifiable potential without drawing noticeable current (potentiometry) and opposition of a circuit to the current flow (impedance) are the most important bio-recognition procedures in electrochemical biosensors [41] .

Among the various techniques, voltammetric and impedimetric techniques will be most considered due to their high sensitivity and affinity between targets and probes interaction [42] . There is no doubt, that the detection limit (LOD) is one of the most important performance characteristics of an analytical procedure. Progress in analytical chemistry might well be measured by the shift of the LOD towards lower values. Of course, the picture emerging would reflect only part of the progress [43, 44] . Certainly, many problems in analytical chemistry are problems related to detecting and determining elements or compounds in small amounts of sample (micro-analysis), very low concentrations or small amounts in the larger specimen (trace analysis), or even of determining low concentrations in small samples. In the most cases a method is assumed to be very sensitive when the LOD is low, and the LOD and sensitivity in many cases in point are considered synonymous [45] . However, in other divisions of science, the sensitivity is defined as the slope of the curve that is acquired when the result of the measurement is plotted against the amount that is to be determined. In analytical chemistry, the sensitivity defined in this way is equal to the slope of the analytical calibration curve, and the definition of the sensitivity will be used in biosensor technology. The lower LOD is exactly understood as the limit below which detection is impossible [44, 45] .

Innovative biosensors used to detect RNA-viruses include nucleic-acid based, CRISPR-Cas9 based paper strips, optical biosensor, aptamer-based, antigen-Au/Ag nanoparticles-based electrochemical biosensors, and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), fig.6 [11, 46] . Biosensors might be effective bio-device for rapid, accurate, portable, and more promising diagnosis in the existing pandemic that has exaggerated the world humanity and economies [47, 48] . [48] . A) CRISPR based nucleic acid (RNA) detection [49] . B) FET based biosensor operation [50] , C) AuNPs based FTO electrode biosensor [51] , D) Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) based biosensor, E) 2D gold Nanoislands (AuNIs) functionalized biosensors [48] . and operation, with a suitable linear range and limit of detection [53] . During experimental studies, the systematic evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technique was performed for detection of N protein of coronaviruses. Aptamer-antibody hybrid based immunoassay was used as a fast and sensitive method in the detection of SARS-CoV N protein [54] . Antibody mimetic proteins (AMPs) are useful polypeptides with high affinity and specificity that bind to their target analytes. Compared to routine methods, these types of peptides can be used in very small amounts. AMPs were applied in a nano-biosensor platform to detect N protein of SARS.

Employing of this biosensor, N protein was identified at a low concentration in bovine serum albumin(BSA) [55] . A novel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based biosensor was created for sensitive and specified detection of SARS and common respiratory viruses. This system was developed by immobilizing virus-specific oligonucleotides in an SPR chip. To increase the biosensor sensitivity, biotin and streptavidin were used to label the PCR primer and amplify the signal more after hybridization. Accordingly, the created biosensor can sensitively recognize the SARS and some respiratory viruses [56] . A simple and effective technique for assembly of SPR FET based biosensor functionalized with SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody was established for the detection of coronaviruses. The created system shows acceptable LOD and is used detect of the virus antigen-protein in transport medium from nasopharyngeal swabs from clinical samples [61] .

The proposed bio-sensing platform illustrated in fig.9 .

A field-effect transistor (FET)-based biosensors for detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody, Graphene as a sensing material is selected and SARS-CoV-2 spike an antibody is conjugated on the graphene sheet by 1-pyrenebutyric acid n-hydroxysuccinimide ester, which is an interfacing molecular as a probe linker [61] .

CRISPR-Cas9 based biosensor on a graphene field-effect transistor was created for the detection of unamplified target genes. Similar work can be considered as a modern bio-sensing tool for the detection of viral targets such as covid-19 nucleic acids [62] . The most important challenge associated with Covid-19 disease is the rapid transmission, asymptomatic and long-term incubation in carriers. Due to the simple and low-cost structure, easy operation process, high sensitivity, and specificity, biosensor technology could be the best alternative to conventional methods in the detection of covid-19; however, the development of genosensors should be considered more closely due to their high sensitivity and specificity.

The disadvantages and advantages of routine methods with biosensor technology are summarized in Table 3 . Table. 3. Comparison of routine methods with biosensor technology.

Sensitivity and specificity High Low

As revealed in several studies rapid detection is the main feature of biosensors technology compared to routine diagnosis methods. In addition to biosensors, other diagnostic methods are being developed for rapid detection of the COVID-19, for example, rapid antigen diagnostic (RAD) test was developed as an immunoassay approach [64] . Although rapid diagnosis is a necessary factor, especially in relation to COVID-19, it should be noted that the sensitivity and specificity of a diagnostic method are more important than a rapid diagnosis. For instance, serological methods are the main rapid diagnostic techniques in virology, but unfortunately its false positive and negative results have limited its use [65] .

The most important results obtained from this review study are; 1. Future technology and diagnostic methods, especially in connection with infectious and contagious diseases, should be in line with simple, low-cost methods with high sensitivity and specific diagnostic methods so that CRISPR-Cas mediated adaptive immunity, is promising as a diagnostic and therapeutic target;

however, comprehensive and appropriate research is needed to achieve medicine approval. 6. Even though molecular-based methods such as PCR, and RT-PCR have been highly sensitive compared to conventional methods to date, biosensor technology, mainly CRISPR-Cas mediated biosensors, appears to be a golden alternative in diagnosis and therapeutic approaches in the near future.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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The authors would like to thank the Aging Research Institute and the Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Research Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.