Shape-Changing aptameric structure for sensing SARS-CoV-2 variants
발표자
김재영 (포항공과대학교)
연구책임자
오승수 (포항공과대학교)
초록
내용
Accurate, yet simple and fast diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) has been crucial during the pandemic. However, viral mutation can increase its infectivity and reduce sensitivity of current methods. To date, existing detection methods must be frequently reassessed and even abandoned if they fail to meet the required standards whenever major mutations occur; in particular, antibody-based Rapid Antigen Tests are vulnerable to this limitation. Accordingly, sensors that are universally responsive to mutations would be highly effective for detecting continuously mutating viruses, including those that may emerge in the future. We propose an intuitive and simple method using structure-switching aptamers to detect SARS-CoV-2, regardless of mutations. The aptamer structure was developed based on an hACE2-mimicking biopolymer that universally binds to SARS-CoV-2 variants. Our results demonstrate successful SARS-CoV-2 variant detection in non-treated samples.