Journal Article

Ultra-low HIV-1 p24 detection limits with a bioelectronic sensor

Scamarcio Gaetano, Picca, Rosaria Anna, Sarcina Lucia, Di Franco Cinzia, Torsi Luisa, Macchia Eleonora, Manoli Kyriaki

2020

Overview

Early diagnosis of the infection caused by human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is vital to achieve efficient therapeutic treatment and limit the disease spreading when the viremia is at its highest level. To this end, a point-of-care HIV-1 detection carried out with label-free, low-cost, and ultra-sensitive screening technologies would be of great relevance. Herein, a label-free single molecule detection of HIV-1 p24 capsid protein with a large (wide-field) single-molecule transistor (SiMoT) sensor is proposed. The system is based on an electrolyte-gated field-effect transistor whose gate is bio-functionalized with the antibody against the HIV-1 p24 capsid protein. The device exhibits a limit of detection of a single protein and a limit of quantification in the 10 molecule range. This study paves the way for a low-cost technology that can quantify, with single-molecule precision, the transition of a biological organism from being “healthy” to being “diseased” by tracking a target biomarker. This can open to the possibility of performing the earliest possible diagnosis.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Antibodies / Bioelectricity / Biomarkers / Capsid protein / Detection limits / Diagnosis / Disease control / Field effect transistors / HIV / Human immunodeficiency virus / Low cost / Proteins / Semiconductor devices / Tracking / Transistors / Viremia / Viruses