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Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 7;9(1):16219. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-52759-5. Rapid functionalisation and detection of viruses via a novel Ca2+-mediated virus-DNA interaction.
Robb NC1, Taylor JM2, Kent A2, Pambos OJ2, Gilboa B2, Evangelidou M3, Mentis AA3,4, Kapanidis AN5.
Author information
1 Gene Machines Group, Biological Physics Research Unit, Clarendon Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, United Kingdom. nicole.robb@physics.ox.ac.uk. 2 Gene Machines Group, Biological Physics Research Unit, Clarendon Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, United Kingdom. 3 National Influenza Reference Laboratory of Southern Greece, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127, Vas. Sofias Ave., 115 21, Athens, Greece. 4 Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Mezourlo Hill, 411 00, Larissa, Greece. 5 Gene Machines Group, Biological Physics Research Unit, Clarendon Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PU, United Kingdom. a.kapanidis1@physics.ox.ac.uk.
Abstract
Current virus detection methods often take significant time or can be limited in sensitivity and specificity. The increasing frequency and magnitude of viral outbreaks in recent decades has resulted in an urgent need for diagnostic methods that are facile, sensitive, rapid and inexpensive. Here, we describe and characterise a novel, calcium-mediated interaction of the surface of enveloped viruses with DNA, that can be used for the functionalisation of intact virus particles via chemical groups attached to the DNA. Using DNA modified with fluorophores, we have demonstrated the rapid and sensitive labelling and detection of influenza and other viruses using single-particle tracking and particle-size determination. With this method, we have detected clinical isolates of influenza in just one minute, significantly faster than existing rapid diagnostic tests. This powerful technique is easily extendable to a wide range of other enveloped pathogenic viruses and holds significant promise as a future diagnostic tool.
PMID: 31700064 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52759-5
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