Method for express-detection of recombinant West Nile Virus E protein
摘要
It has been noted that the detection time of West Nile virus E protein by standard methods, such as enzyme immunoassay for West Nile virus antigen, antibody seroconversion, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, virus isolation and neutralization assay, constitutes at least one hour. The West Nile virus (genus Flavivirus) belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the Flaviviridae family and is capable of causing West Nile fever or severe West Nile disease. To increase the detection rate of the recombinant West Nile virus E protein, an express-detection method was proposed using the developed promising biosensor-based analytical device. The biosensor is based on a field-effect transistor fabricated by optical lithography using silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. The biosensor design was upgraded by changing the topology of the crystal (one ground electrode was formed in the center, surrounded by 20 field-effect transistors), while the crystal surface was additionally coated with a hafnium oxide layer to stabilize the electrical characteristics. Protein detection by means of the biosensor is based on the measurement of current amplitude in the source-drain circuit of the biosensor with monoclonal antibodies immobilized on the surface of its gate in response to the appearance of an antigen (recombinant West Nile virus E protein) in the analyzed sample. It was experimentally established that the biosensor is capable of detecting protein concentration of 10 pg/μL. Further studies target the determination of an error of the measured concentrations, along with statistical reliability of the results obtained by using the biosensor.