Portable Electrochemical Biosensors Based on Microcontrollers for Detection of Viruses: A Review
Muhammad Afiq Abdul Ghani,
Anis Nurashikin Nordin,
Munirah Zulhairee,
Adibah Che Mohamad Nor,
Mohd Shihabuddin Ahmad Noorden,
Muhammad Khairul Faisal Muhamad Atan,
Rosminazuin Ab Rahim,
Zainiharyati Mohd Zain
Affiliations
Muhammad Afiq Abdul Ghani
MEMS-VLSI Research Unit, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Faculty, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Anis Nurashikin Nordin
MEMS-VLSI Research Unit, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Faculty, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Munirah Zulhairee
Electrochemical Material and Sensor (EMaS) Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam 40450, Selangor, Malaysia
Adibah Che Mohamad Nor
Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Bandar Puncak Alam 42300, Selangor, Malaysia
Mohd Shihabuddin Ahmad Noorden
Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Bandar Puncak Alam 42300, Selangor, Malaysia
Muhammad Khairul Faisal Muhamad Atan
MEMS-VLSI Research Unit, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Faculty, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Rosminazuin Ab Rahim
MEMS-VLSI Research Unit, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Faculty, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Zainiharyati Mohd Zain
Electrochemical Material and Sensor (EMaS) Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam 40450, Selangor, Malaysia
With the rise of zoonotic diseases in recent years, there is an urgent need for improved and more accessible screening and diagnostic methods to mitigate future outbreaks. The recent COVID-19 pandemic revealed an over-reliance on RT-PCR, a slow, costly and lab-based method for diagnostics. To better manage the pandemic, a high-throughput, rapid point-of-care device is needed for early detection and isolation of patients. Electrochemical biosensors offer a promising solution, as they can be used to perform on-site tests without the need for centralized labs, producing high-throughput and accurate measurements compared to rapid test kits. In this work, we detail important considerations for the use of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of respiratory viruses. Methods of enhancing signal outputs via amplification of the analyte, biorecognition of elements and modification of the transducer are also explained. The use of portable potentiostats and microfluidics chambers that create a miniature lab are also discussed in detail as an alternative to centralized laboratory settings. The state-of-the-art usage of portable potentiostats for detection of viruses is also elaborated and categorized according to detection technique: amperometry, voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In terms of integration with microfluidics, RT-LAMP is identified as the preferred method for DNA amplification virus detection. RT-LAMP methods have shorter turnaround times compared to RT-PCR and do not require thermal cycling. Current applications of RT-LAMP for virus detection are also elaborated upon.
