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Viruses are particulate and exist in different morphological forms. The small size (20 to 900 nm) of viruses increases the difficulty of their isolation and visualization compared to other microbes.

Viruses are usually highly contagious and the absence of immediate and efficient control systems is the main reason behind their potential health impacts. Nanotechnology has proved to be efficient in laboratory diagnosis of infections in general and viral infections in particular.

In 1950, with the development of a cell culture system and electron microscope, the first virus isolation and detection were started. In the early 1980s, diagnostic virology made major advancements with the invention of immunoassays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The rapid development of a wide range of serological and molecular detection techniques was a boon to both laboratory research and the clinical diagnosis of viruses. Currently, the unique properties of nanomaterials (physical, chemical, mechanical, magnetic, etc.) are effectively used in virus detection.

Several nanomaterials such as quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, silica, and metal nanoparticles are used as biosensors for the detection of the pathogenic virus. Some of the nanoparticles used in virus detection are discussed below.

QDs are nanoscale semiconductor crystals with unique optical and electrical properties.

QDs have a wide absorption range, photoluminescence, multiplexed staining, long florescent lifetime and high resistance to photobleaching. QDs are useful tools for providing rapid and sensitive virus detection to facilitate early treatment and monitoring of viral disease.

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs): CNT-based biosensors have high sensitivity and selectivity due to their high surface area. This system is also beneficial for its easy functionalization and immobilization of nanoparticles. It is used to detect hepatitis B and papillomavirus.

Silica Nanoparticles (SiNPs): Many biomolecules could be linked to silica nanoparticles, including antigen-antibodies, peptides and DNA, and that, subsequently, makes them important for bioanalytical research. This system is used for the detection of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).

Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs): The fluorescent characteristics of AgNPs provide high sensitivity to optical biosensors. The optical-based biosensor is used for the detection of viruses like HIV and HBV.

Magnetic Nanoparticle (MNPs): MNPs are used to detect surface glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA) from the Influenza A virus (FLUAV) H5N1. Amino functional carbon-coated MNPs have been used to distinguish the hybridization of HBV nucleic acids.

Aluminum Nanoparticles (AlNPs): Nanoporous morphology is the most prominent feature that attracts biosensing scientists to AINPs. One of the advantages of having a porous structure is the increase in surface to volume ratio that results in an increased number of target molecules inside nanopores. Researchers have used nanoporous alumina for the detection of dengue virus.

Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs): AuNPs have been extensively used in the field of virus detection owing to their unique optical and electrical properties.

The use of nanoparticles as a marker for the rapid and accurate detection of infectious agents in small sample volumes helps in early detection at an affordable cost.

Mokhtarzadeh, A. et al. (2017). Nanomaterial based biosensors for detection of pathogenic virus. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 97, 445-457.

Shehata Draz, M. and Shafiee, H. (2018). Applications of gold nanoparticles in virus detection. Theranostics. 8, 7, 1985-2017.

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The Role of Nanotechnology in Virus Detection - AZoNano