Highly-sensitive Virus Detection Using Plasma Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles

Abstract

Various global changes in the life environments, such as global warming, are now bringing about an outbreak due to unknown infectious viruses, such as new type influenza virus, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) corona virus, and Dengue or Zika virus, etc., which have been urgent global issues to develop their rapid detection techniques to prevent a spread of infection beforehand. Furthermore, health damages caused by norovirus, E. coli O157, and Salmonella bacteria have been frequently occurring, therefore, it is also demanded to develop their rapid detection methods for establishing safe and secure food society. In this study, we report recent experimental results of surface functionalization of graphite-encapsulated metal nanoparticles fabricated by DC arc discharge and the highly-sensitive detection of various viruses and bacteria using antibody-immobilized magnetic nanoparticles. We also present the results on highly-sensitive Cu ion detection from aqueous solution by using amino-functionalized Au nanoparticles prepared by one-step DC arc discharge.