Illinois: So far, several tests have been developed to identify corona epidemics, which are also the most important means of preventing the disease. In this regard, a kit based on a piece of paper has been made which can identify the corona virus in just five minutes.\
Maha Al-Afif, an Arab national from Granger College at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his colleagues have developed a paper-sensitive electrochemical test. In just a few minutes, this test detects the novel corona virus that causes code 19 disease. Details of this important invention have been published online in the latest issue of the research journal ACS Nano.
There are currently two major coronavirus tests available, one of which is Reus Transcriptase Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR) and the other is based on antibodies. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, the first test takes a long time and the second test produces antibodies that are identified if the disease is chronic.
However, Maha’s team has developed this graphene-based test in which the electrochemical biosensor works in a very sensitive manner and with a light electrical signal, a virus called SARS-COV-2 (technical name for the novel corona virus) Reads the genetic material of The RNA of the virus is recorded by the electrical activity in this biosensor.
To make the paper test, nanoplates of graphene are first applied to the filter paper, which is molded into a very thin conductor film. In the next step, gold electrodes are applied to the graphene which touch the graphene layer. Thus a sensitive sensor that reads the electrical signals of genetic material came into being.
It has been proven to be useful in the laboratory and in the next step, the results will be available on smartphones via Wi-Fi and the app.