Applications of gold nanoparticles in virus detection

Draz, Mohamed Shehata; Shafiee, Hadi

Immuno-PCR assay for HTNV detection using AuNP probes dually functionalized with antibody (Ab) and double-stranded (ds)DNA. Au-nanoprobes are directly applied to label virus antigens precaptured on a microplate. The AuNPs are carrying dsDNA that includes barcode single-stranded (ss) DNA for signal amplification. The barcode DNA is separated, amplified and detected by gel electrophoresis [96] . Additionally, this assay can be modified in a more complex detection scheme that has been reported for human immunodeficiency virus detection [81] . (B) Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based assay for detection of RVFV using Raman reporter dye-coated AuNPs and magnetic NPs (MNPs). AuNPs and MNPs are conjugated with a polyclonal Ab specific for the target virus antigen forming AuNP/virus antigen/MNP complexes; then, a 785 nm laser excites the magnetically concentrated AuNP/virus antigen/MNP complexes. The presence of the target antigen yields a reduction in the intensification of Raman dye signature spectrum peaks, thereby providing an estimation of its concentration [49] . This assay has been applied for the detection of WNV infection [49] .