Rapid, amplification-free and high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection via a reduced-graphene-oxide based fluorescence assay

Abstract

The infectious diseases caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been global public health threats and caught worldwide concern. Until now, rapid, low-cost and high-throughput detection of the COVID-19 virus is still a great challenge, especially for undeveloped areas. Here, we report the development of a rapid (<35 minutes), amplification-free, and high throughput fluorescence assay based on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGO) for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. The good single and double-strand recognition capability of rGO allows the fluorescence assay to test RNA fragments at the femtomolar level without any RNA amplification process. COVID-19-pseudovirus tests simulated the actual virus detection process and demonstrated the ability to perform rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.