Optical biosensor based on the dual-functional gold nanoparticles for rapid and accurate multiplex detection of influenza A and B viruses

Due to the global pandemic of influenza and related respiratory diseases, rapid and accurate detection is in high demand to control virus spread and facilitate early treatment. However, most current molecular detection methods either require long turnaround times, suffer from low sensitivity and/or can only detect single pathogens. To overcome these challenges, we constructed a novel colorimetric gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) biosensor containing functionalized probes to detect multiple targets simultaneously. Utilizing the salt aging method, AuNPs were functionalized by the designed oligonucleotides to fabricate biosensors. This biosensor can show visible color change within 20 min, and could minimally detect the target influenza viruses at 10 nM. This detection technique presents high sensitivity in a short time, meanwhile identifying two different influenza viruses simultaneously. It opens a window to a multiplex-in-one strategy for a clinical viral diagnostic. • The majority of current molecular detection methods for pathogens either require long turnaround times, suffer from low sensitivity and/or can only detect single pathogens. • We constructed a novel colorimetric gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) biosensor containing functionalized probes to detect multiple targets simultaneously. • This biosensor can detect different influenza viruses at 10 nM, via a visible color change in 20 min.