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Swiss scientists have recently developed a device that can send an alarm when a high concentration of new coronaviruses is detected. This sensor is said to be able to “visually observe” and “reliably detect” the new coronavirus in the air, which may help contain the spread of the coronavirus disease in 2019.
This biosensor uses a receptor with “fingerprint” information from DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that has been artificially synthesized to match the single-stranded RNA specific to the new coronavirus. Since the new coronavirus belongs to the Coronaviridae positive single-stranded RNA virus, its genome is not composed of double-stranded DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) as an organism, but is composed of single-stranded RNA (ribonucleic acid). Each virus has a unique RNA sequence. Therefore, the receptor on the sensor is complementary to the unique RNA sequence of the new coronavirus, which can effectively recognize this virus.
When contacted with the specific virus sought, this sensor can make a matching identification and can accurately distinguish the difference in RNA sequence between two very similar coronaviruses, i.e. the SARS virus in 2003 and the current new coronavirus.
To confirm the accuracy and coincidence of the optical sensor in the “visual observation” of the new coronavirus, combining two different effects to more reliably and reliably detect the new coronavirus, this device is also equipped with a thermal sensor. When the new coronavirus touches the receptor on the sensor, it will cause a thermal reaction to confirm the previous detection results of the optical sensor.
This biosensor was jointly developed by the Swiss Federal Institute for Materials Testing and Research (Empa) and the Zurich Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ). The team has previously presented that they are actively developing a sensor that detects various viruses and bacteria in the air. Today, they say the developing sensors are calibrated to reliably detect new coronaviruses in the air.
The sensor can be deployed in public places like hospitals and railway stations where people are crowded to monitor the concentration of a specific virus in the air. This can help relevant government authorities reduce the spread of the virus by keeping people away from areas of high virus concentration.
This device does not completely replace existing laboratory test methods. The designer said that while this monitoring method has made many improvements to existing virus detection methods, this biosensor is currently not yet ready to be used in public places.
“To use it to monitor the concentration of new coronaviruses in the air in public places, a series of scalable steps are required. For example, you need a system to inhale air, concentrate aerosols and release RNA from the virus,” Camino researchers said.
swissinfo.ch/mga
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