Graphene test to detect coronavirus

Context

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago IUIC) used graphene to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in laboratory experiments.

• Their findings were published in the American Chemical Society’s journal ACS Nano.

About the graphene test

• Researchers combined highly thin sheets of graphene.
• These sheets had an antibody designed to target the spike protein on the coronavirus
• Then the atomic-level vibrations of these graphene sheets were observed after being exposed to Covid-positive and Covid-negative samples in artificial saliva.
• It is a rapid technique.
• These sheets were also tested in the presence of other coronaviruses, like MERS-CoV.
• A difference was observed during the vibrations of the antibody-coupled graphene sheets when they were treated with a Covid-positive sample.
• No change was observed when treated with a Covid-negative sample or with other coronaviruses.
• Vibrational changes, measured with a device called a Raman spectrometer.