Advancement in COVID-19 detection using nanomaterial-based biosensors

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exemplified how viral growth and transmission are a significant threat to global biosecurity. The early detection and treatment of viral infections is the top priority to prevent fresh waves and control the pandemic. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified through several conventional molecular methodologies that are time-consuming and require high-skill labor, apparatus, and biochemical reagents but have a low detection accuracy. These bottlenecks hamper conventional methods from resolving the COVID-19 emergency. However, interdisciplinary advances in nanomaterials and biotechnology, such as nanomaterials-based biosensors, have opened new avenues for rapid and ultrasensitive detection of pathogens in the field of healthcare. Many updated nanomaterials-based biosensors, namely electrochemical, field-effect transistor, plasmonic, and colorimetric biosensors, employ nucleic acid and antigen–antibody interactions for SARS-CoV-2 detection in a highly efficient, reliable, sensitive, and rapid manner. This systematic review summarizes the mechanisms and characteristics of nanomaterials-based biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Moreover, continuing challenges and emerging trends in biosensor development are also discussed.