Nanomolecular Magnetic Probe for Detection of Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification of Covid-19 RNA with the Naked Eye

Abstract

Nucleic acid amplification of Covid-19 RNA is the main subject for molecular detection of SARS-COV-2. However, the employment of target amplification methods such as PCR needs a converting step for Covid-19 RNA to DNA template to be amplified. In addition, Covid-19 RNA isolation needs some RNA extraction kits that their providing could increase the time and costs for the molecular detection of the virus. In this study, we introduced a magnetic nanoprobe that could be used to capture and amplify Covid-19 RNA through an isothermal amplification process, so-called nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, without needing to perform a separate step for the viral RNA converting to DNA template. By using engineered sequences appropriate to the target nucleic acid attached to the magnetic nanoparticles, identifying the target RNA from the virus could be possible by clumping the particles that could be seen with naked eyes. According to the isothermal amplification of the viral RNA via nucleic acid sequence-based amplification assisted with the magnetic nanoprobe, the nanomolecular method eliminated the need for special pieces of equipment and the time for detection of Covid-19 in specimens.