Project Details
Projekt
Viral RNA-protein interaction on graphene-based field effect transistors as a new avenue for viral surveillance
Applicant
Professorin Dr. Antje Bäumner
Subject Area
Analytical Chemistry
Term
since 2023
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 533764362
Viruses are small intracellular parasites, which by definition contain either a RNA or DNA genome surrounded by a protective, virus-coded protein coat. These parasites are very different in shape, size, composition with different and mutation prone epitope. The development of a simple and “general approach” for virus detection remains thus highly challenging. While polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) have become the gold standards for DNA and RNA virus quantification, these methods can only detect known sequences. Long viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is considered a universal biomarker for the presence of virus and a unique hallmark of many viral infections. When viruses infect host cells, viral ribonucleoprotein complexes hijack the infected cell’s molecular machinery and start produce their own viral molecules, which eventually overwhelm the cell, releasing new viral RNA to infect other cells in the system. Unlike human RNA, which includes long single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) and short dsRNA, viral dsRNA are >40 base pairs in length and are produced as highly abundant intermediates during viral replication in cells. Detection of these long dsRNA is currently based on time-consuming and costly immunofluorescence using dsRNA specific antibodies. Paradoxically, dsRNA-centered viral surveillance strategies have not yet inspired widespread research initiatives. We believe this is partially due to the lack of deeper knowledge about the dynamic viral RNA-protein interactions, essential to understanding their evolution and adaptation to distinct hosts and environments, and critical for developing virus surveillance sensors. G-Virals aims to overcome these challenges and knowledge gaps by focusing on the extraordinary dsRNA binding properties of proteins such as B2. Integration of dsRNA binding proteins into a panel of differently constructed graphene-based field effect transistors (gFETs) and connection to lab-on-chip based pre-analytical steps will allow quantification of viral dsRNA in a point-of-need sensing platform. Next to studying the key operational characteristics of this novel virus warning systems, flash Joule heating of biomedical waste will prepare “flash” graphene inks for gFET designs in parallel. G-Virals proposes the first generic approach for viral surveillance via the development of dsRNA-to-graphene. Implementation of precision qRT-PCR and third-generation sequencing (e.g., nanopore technology) in case of a positive sensor responses, will further result in virus identification. G-Virals will strongly impact responses to future and emerging viral diseases via the proposed systems of virus surveillance.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
International Connection
Belgium, France, Slovakia
