Application of a primer passivated CdTe quantum dots as a novel Förster resonance energy transfer based nanobiosensor for Covid-19 virus detection

This study highlighted the significance of quantum dots in nanobiosensors for detecting viral infections, noting their high sensitivity and specificity. A novel primer-based nanobiosensor utilizing the Förster resonance energy transfer mechanism with quantum dots has been developed for the detection of the Coronavirus disease (2019). This system employed cadmium telluride semiconducting nanocrystal quantum dots modified with a specific thiol-labeled primer serving as a fluorescent label. A complementary target deoxyribonucleic acid, designed to match a specific region of the Coronavirus disease (2019) genome, formed a sandwich hybrid on the quantum dots’ surface. The primers selected for detection were tailored to the most conserved and prevalent strains of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, ensuring both accuracy and specificity in testing. This biosensor could analyze nasal-pharyngeal swab samples through straightforward procedures, yielding rapid results. The limit of detection for this quantum dot based biosensor was 1.71 × 10⁻⁹ mol/L. Tests on actual patient samples demonstrated that this Förster resonance energy transfer -based QD biosensor aligned well with real-time polymerase chain reaction results. Unlike traditional polymerase chain reaction methods used in virus processing facilities, this optical technique enabled quick and easy microorganism detection, facilitating crucial decision-making for maintaining product quality and safety under 15 min. [Display omitted]