Ultrasensitive Raman spectroscopy-based virus detection using glycan-coated plasmonic substrates

Hepatitis viral infections are the most common cause of hepatitis liver disease, which eventually leads to cancer and fibrosis if undetected early. Therefore, early detection would allow for preventive and therapeutic actions. Here, a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based biosensor was developed using plasmonic molybdenum trioxide quantum dots (MoO3-QDs) as theSERS substrates. The nanostructured substrate of MoO3-QDs was functionalized with a proteoglycan (Syndecan-1) as a novel bioreceptor for target hepatitis E virus (HEV). The innovative bio-detection system achieved a detection limit of 1.05 fg/mL for tested HEV target (ORF2), indicating superb clinically relevant sensitivity and performance. The designed biosensing system incorporating a glycan motif as a bioreceptor instead of the conventional antibodies or aptamers,presents new insights for the ultrasensitive detection of HEV and other infectious viruses.<br/