Introduction

Rapid transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has affected the whole world and forced it to a halt (lockdown). A fast and label-free detection method for the novel coronavirus needs to be developed along with the existing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based methods.

Areas covered

In this report, biophysical aspects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike glycoprotein are outlined based on its recent reported electron microscopy structure. Protein binding sites are analyzed theoretically, which consisted of hydrophobic and positive charged amino acid residues. Different strategies to form mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of hydrophobic (CH₃) and negatively charged (COOH) groups are discussed to be used for the specific and strong interactions with spike protein. Bio-interfacial interactions between the spike protein and device (sensor) surface and its implications toward designing suitable engineered surfaces are summarized.

Expert opinion

Implementation of the engineered surfaces in quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)-based detection techniques for the diagnosis of the novel coronavirus from oral swab samples is highlighted. The proposed strategy can be explored for the label-free and real-time detection with sensitivity up to ng level. These engineered surfaces can be reused after desorption.

中文翻译：

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使用基于石英晶体微量天平的技术对SARS-CoV-2进行前瞻性检测的工程表面的设计。

介绍

严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒2的迅速传播已经影响了整个世界，并使其停滞（封锁）。与现有的基于酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）和基于逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）的方法一起，需要开发一种用于新型冠状病毒的快速，无标记的检测方法。

覆盖区域

在此报告中，根据最近报道的电子显微镜结构概述了严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）穗状糖蛋白的生物物理方面。从理论上分析蛋白质结合位点，该位点由疏水和带正电荷的氨基酸残基组成。讨论了形成疏水（CH ₃）和负电荷（COOH）基团的混合自组装单分子层（SAMs）的不同策略，这些策略用于与刺突蛋白进行特异的强相互作用。总结了刺突蛋白和设备（传感器）表面之间的生物界面相互作用及其对设计合适的工程表面的意义。

专家意见

重点介绍了工程表面在基于石英晶体微量天平（QCM）的检测技术中的实现，用于从口腔拭子样品中诊断新型冠状病毒。可以探索所提出的策略用于无标记的实时检测，灵敏度可达ng级。这些工程表面可在解吸后重新使用。