PNA-SERS biosensor for label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences in saliva

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dc.authorid0000-0002-4524-6317
dc.authorid0009-0004-6266-4379
dc.authorid0000-0001-5884-7560
dc.authorid0000-0003-0568-9911
dc.authorid0000-0002-9442-4175
dc.contributor.authorEsposito, Alessandro
dc.contributor.authorMartino, Sara
dc.contributor.authorYilmaz, Deniz
dc.contributor.authorMangini, Maria
dc.contributor.authorDe Stefano, Luca
dc.contributor.authorCorteggio, Annunziata
dc.contributor.authorDe Luca, Anna Chiara
dc.date.accessioned2026-04-04T18:55:36Z
dc.date.available2026-04-04T18:55:36Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentİstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for rapid, sensitive, and accessible molecular diagnostics. In this study, we present a label-free Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) biosensor for the direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in biological fluids. The proposed sensor is based on a thiolated Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) probe immobilized on colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) deposited on functionalized glass substrates. A stable and selective hybridization with target sequences is provided by the intrinsic characteristics of PNA molecules, such as neutral backbone, high sequence affinity and enzymatic resistance. Whereas AuNPs enables strong signal enhancement and excellent reproducibility, without requiring complex nanofabrication techniques. Overall, the biosensor fabrication relies entirely on standard laboratory procedures and commercially available reagents, making it cost-effective and easily scalable. The detection of the target RNA occurs through label-free SERS, responsible for amplifying the vibrational fingerprint of nucleobases. Multivariate analysis through principal component analysis (PCA) and regression (PCR) further enhances spectral discrimination and detection sensitivity. The sensor exhibits a limit of detection of 110 pM, falling within the clinically relevant range of salivary SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations. Detection performance was assessed in both buffer and artificial saliva, demonstrating the potential of the platform for use with real biological samples. Moreover, the device demonstrates high selectivity, effectively distinguishing between fully matched, mismatched, and random sequences. This work highlights the potential of PNA-SERS biosensors for rapid, amplification-free viral RNA detection and offers a promising approach for point-of-care diagnostics in infectious diseases.
dc.description.sponsorshipNextGenerationEU project PNRR-SEELIFE - Strengthening the Italian Infrastructure of Euro-BioImaging [IR23 - DD MUR 3264/21, PNRR-SEELIFE -, CUP B53C22001810006, SAC. AD002.173.025]; CNR project SEEINVIS-SERS based biosensor for virus recognition [CUP B53C22001810006]; [AD002.173.025]
dc.description.sponsorshipWe acknowledge the use of imaging facilities within the Euro-BioImaging infrastructure and the support from the NextGenerationEU project PNRR-SEELIFE - Strengthening the Italian Infrastructure of Euro-BioImaging (IR23 - DD MUR 3264/21, CUP B53C22001810006) . The authors thank Dr. M. Pirozzi of the Institute of Endotypes in Oncology, Metabolism and Immunology G. Salvatore (IEOMI) for TEM analysis of colloidal AuNPs. The work was supported by the @CNR project SEEINVIS-SERS based biosensor for virus recognition (n. SAC. AD002.173.025) .
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.snr.2025.100369
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.snr.2025.100369
dc.identifier.issn2666-0539
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.snr.2025.100369
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11411/10479
dc.identifier.volume10
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001544349300001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ1
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.relation.ispartofSensors and Actuators Reports
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzKA_WoS_20260402
dc.subjectSers Biosensor
dc.subjectLabel-Free Detection
dc.subjectSars-Cov-2 Detection
dc.subjectPeptide Nucleic Acid (Pna)
dc.subjectGold Nanoparticles
dc.subjectHybridization
dc.titlePNA-SERS biosensor for label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences in saliva
dc.typeArticle

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