Advancing viral diagnostics: harnessing surface enhanced Raman scattering and localized surface plasmon resonance for rapid detection of SARS CoV-2

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS CoV-2 virus, has underscored the urgent need for rapid and accurate diagnostic techniques. Two cutting-edge spectroscopic methods, Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR), have emerged as potential game-changers in the field of viral diagnostics. These technologies offer significant improvements over traditional diagnostic methods, providing enhanced sensitivity, specificity, and speed in the detection of SARS CoV-2. SERS leverages the interaction of viral particles with metallic nanoparticles to produce an amplified Raman scattering signal. This enhancement allows for the detailed characterization of the virus, including its genetic material, through distinct spectral signatures. LSPR utilizes the shift in resonance frequency caused by the binding of viral particles to nanostructured metallic surfaces. This shift serves as a reliable indicator of the virus's presence, facilitating its rapid detection. We explore three principal approaches to viral detection using SERS and LSPR: direct virus detection, detection via RNA after lysis, and ACE-2 capture. Each approach has its unique advantages, ranging from the ability to detect the virus directly to leveraging specific interactions between the virus and ACE-2 receptors for increased specificity. SERS and LSPR represent significant advancements in the rapid detection of SARS CoV-2. Their deployment could revolutionize clinical diagnostics, offering real-time, accurate results that are critical for effective disease management and control.