Home > Press > DNA nanoswitches rapidly detect Sars-Cov-2 and other emerging viruses: Programmable low-cost DNA-based platform for viral RNA detection
![]() |
Abstract:
Programmable DNA nanoswitches that bind to viral RNA in human body fluids may provide an inexpensive platform to rapidly detect a wide variety of emerging viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, according to a new study. This approach may make testing more manageable in resource-limited areas, since it does not require enzymes or significant laboratory infrastructure, only costs about 1 penny per reaction, and can be performed within hours. RNA viruses are often the culprits behind widespread outbreaks, since their high mutation rates enable them to evolve quickly. Detecting these emergent RNA viruses remains challenging, especially in impoverished areas, since detection time windows can be as short as just a few days and laboratories may not be equipped to conduct immunoglobulin blood tests, which remain standard for clinical testing but sometimes lead to false positive results. To help overcome these challenges, Zhou et al. developed DNA nanoswitches that bind to both ends of target viral RNAs, forming loop-shaped compounds.
These negatively-charged, RNA-containing nanoswitch loops are then placed in a gel and stimulated with an electrical current, pulling them towards a positive electrode on the other end of the gel. Since the nanoswitches move more slowly when they are bound to viral RNA, this gel electrophoresis technique reveals the virus' presence. The researchers first tested this approach with DNA nanoswitches designed to target a sequence in the Zika virus genome and demonstrated its ability to detect clinically-relevant levels of Zika RNA in human urine. Zhou et al. next developed nanoswitches to target SARS-CoV-2 RNA in human saliva, finding that they could successfully detect the virus' presence within about 2 hours. The nanoswitches also successfully differentiated between Zika virus and Dengue virus, which occur in overlapping geographical regions and cause similar symptoms, demonstrating the nanoswitches' potential to avoid misdiagnoses.
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Lifeng Zhou
@AAAS
Copyright © American Association for the Advancement of Science
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Related News Press |
News and information
Enhancing power factor of p- and n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes April 25th, 2025
Tumor microenvironment dynamics: the regulatory influence of long non-coding RNAs April 25th, 2025
Ultrafast plasmon-enhanced magnetic bit switching at the nanoscale April 25th, 2025
Possible Futures
Lattice-driven charge density wave fluctuations far above the transition temperature in Kagome superconductor April 25th, 2025
Enhancing power factor of p- and n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes April 25th, 2025
Tumor microenvironment dynamics: the regulatory influence of long non-coding RNAs April 25th, 2025
Ultrafast plasmon-enhanced magnetic bit switching at the nanoscale April 25th, 2025
Nanomedicine
Tumor microenvironment dynamics: the regulatory influence of long non-coding RNAs April 25th, 2025
Next-generation drug delivery innovation! DGIST develops precision therapeutics using exosomes April 25th, 2025
Multiphoton polymerization: A promising technology for precision medicine February 28th, 2025
Rice researchers harness gravity to create low-cost device for rapid cell analysis February 28th, 2025
Discoveries
Lattice-driven charge density wave fluctuations far above the transition temperature in Kagome superconductor April 25th, 2025
HKU physicists uncover hidden order in the quantum world through deconfined quantum critical points April 25th, 2025
Nanophotonic platform boosts efficiency of nonlinear-optical quantum teleportation April 25th, 2025
Announcements
Enhancing power factor of p- and n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes April 25th, 2025
Tumor microenvironment dynamics: the regulatory influence of long non-coding RNAs April 25th, 2025
Ultrafast plasmon-enhanced magnetic bit switching at the nanoscale April 25th, 2025
Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters
Nanophotonic platform boosts efficiency of nonlinear-optical quantum teleportation April 25th, 2025
Enhancing power factor of p- and n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes April 25th, 2025
Nanobiotechnology
Tumor microenvironment dynamics: the regulatory influence of long non-coding RNAs April 25th, 2025
Next-generation drug delivery innovation! DGIST develops precision therapeutics using exosomes April 25th, 2025
Multiphoton polymerization: A promising technology for precision medicine February 28th, 2025
Rice researchers harness gravity to create low-cost device for rapid cell analysis February 28th, 2025
![]() |
||
![]() |
||
The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
![]() |
![]() |
||
Premium Products | ||
![]() |
||
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
![]() |
||
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
![]() |