Identifying SARS-CoV-2 Variants Using Single-Molecule Conductance Measurements.
ACS Sens
; 9(6): 2888-2896, 2024 Jun 28.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38773960
ABSTRACT
The global COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for rapid, reliable, and efficient detection of biological agents and the necessity of tracking changes in genetic material as new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerge. Here, we demonstrate that RNA-based, single-molecule conductance experiments can be used to identify specific variants of SARS-CoV-2. To this end, we (i) select target sequences of interest for specific variants, (ii) utilize single-molecule break junction measurements to obtain conductance histograms for each sequence and its potential mutations, and (iii) employ the XGBoost machine learning classifier to rapidly identify the presence of target molecules in solution with a limited number of conductance traces. This approach allows high-specificity and high-sensitivity detection of RNA target sequences less than 20 base pairs in length by utilizing a complementary DNA probe capable of binding to the specific target. We use this approach to directly detect SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) and further demonstrate that the specific sequence conductance is sensitive to nucleotide mismatches, thus broadening the identification capabilities of the system. Thus, our experimental methodology detects specific SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as recognizes the emergence of new variants as they arise.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
ACS Sens
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos