Journal of nanobiotechnology
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J Nanobiotechnology · Nov 2011
Rapid and specific influenza virus detection by functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and mass spectrometry.
The timely and accurate diagnosis of specific influenza virus strains is crucial to effective prophylaxis, vaccine preparation and early antiviral therapy. The detection of influenza A viruses is mainly accomplished using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques or antibody-based assays. In conjugation with the immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibody, mass spectrometry is an alternative to identify proteins derived from a target influenza virus. Taking advantage of the large surface area-to-volume ratio, antibody-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles can act as an effective probe to extract influenza virus for sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and on-bead mass spectrometric analysis. ⋯ The assay combining efficient magnetic separation and MALDI-MS readout offers a rapid and sensitive method for virus screening. Direct on-MNP detection by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) provided high sensitivity (~10(3) EID(50) per mL) and a timely diagnosis within one hour. The magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated with monoclonal antibodies could be used as a specific probe to distinguish different subtypes of influenza.