A new method for detecting nanoparticles and viruses offers a significant advancement in virus detection technology. This method merges confocal fluorescence microscopy with microfluidic laminar flow, enabling swift identification of single virus particles in a cost-effective way. Unlike traditional PCR methods, which can be slow and require specialized equipment, this new technique utilizes the 3D-printed Brick-MIC platform. This result is improved sensitivity and specificity in virus detection, which could transform how we monitor health and respond to viral outbreaks. Its portable design also makes it suitable for widespread clinical use, offering enhancing public health responses in the face of complex viral challenges.

 

Breakthrough in Virus Detection

In a signifiant development, Prof. Dr. Eitan Lerner and PhD candidate, Mrs. Paz Drori from Hebrew University and their team, in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Thorben Cordes from Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich and the Technical University Dortmund, have introduced this groundbreaking method. By combining confocal fluorescence microscopy with microfluidic laminar flow, their technique presents an efficient alternative to conventional virus detection. 

 

Current virus detection often relies on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which, while accurate, can be slow, labor-intensive, and dependent on specialized laboratory equipment. Antigen-based tests provide quicker results but lack the sensitivity and accuracy required. The new confocal-based flow virometry developed by Prof. Lerner's team addresses these challenges, enabling the detection of individual virus particles with remarkable speed and accuracy. 

 

Portable and Effective Detection

The method employs laminar flow in a microfluidic channel, combined with fluorescence signals from free dyes and labeled antibodies. This approach allows for highly accurate nanoparticle characterization. In collaboration with Prof. Dr. Eran Zahavy from the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR), the team tested this system on fluorescent beads and several viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, demonstrating its impressive accuracy and detection specificity.

 

One key feature of this innovative assay is its use of hydrodynamic focusing, which significantly boosts sensitivity, allowing for virus detection at clinically relevant concentrations. The 3D-printed Brick-MIC setup is not only cost-effectie but also portable, making it a practical tool for clinical environments.

 

Towards Personalized Healthcare

This research paves the way for a new era in rapid and precise virus detection, aligning closely with the goals of personalized healthcare. By enabling quick and specific identification of viruses and nanoparticles, this method can facilitate personalized health monitoring and more effective treatments tailored to individual patients.

 

For more information, the research paper titled “Rapid and specific detection of nanoparticles and viruses one at a time using microfluidic laminar flow and confocal fluorescence microscopy” and “Single-molecule detection and super-resolution imaging with a portable and adaptable 3D-printed microscopy platform (Brick-MIC)" are available in iScience and Science Advances, respectively.

 

DOIs: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110982 and https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ado3427

 

Researchers: Paz Drori ¹, Odelia Mouhadeb ², Gabriel G. Moya Muñoz ^3,4, Yair Razvag ¹, Ron Alcalay ², Philipp Klocke ³, Thorben Cordes ^3,4, Eran Zahavy ², Eitan Lerner ^1,5 and Gabriel G. Moya Muñoz ^3,4, Oliver Brix ³, Philipp Klocke ³, Paul D. Harris ¹, Jorge R. Luna Piedra ³, Nicolas D. Wendler ^3,4, Eitan Lerner ^1,5, Niels Zijlstra ³, Thorben Cordes ^3,4

 

Institutions:

1. Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics & Science, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research
3. Physical and Synthetic Biology. Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
4. Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technische Universität Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
5. The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

 

In these challenging times, Hebrew University of Jerusalem remains dedicated to our mission of building a better future through education and research. We extend our sincere gratitude to friends and partners worldwide who have shown unwavering solidarity during these difficult times. Together, we will overcome the challenges we face, and our joint pursuit of knowledge remains steadfast.