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Bioengineering
Special Issues
COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies: Lessons for Current and Future Pandemic Threats
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COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies: Lessons for Current and Future Pandemic Threats

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 December 2022) | Viewed by 41763

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biologically Inspired Sensors and Actuators, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Interests: biologically sensors and actuators; CMOS biosensors; integrated microfluidic microelectronic systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The coronavirus pandemic is the most challenging incident that humans have faced in recent years. Despite the time-consuming and expensive conventional methods, point-of-care diagnostics have a crucial role in the deterrence, timely detection, and intensive care of the disease’s progress. Hence, this detrimental health emergency has persuaded researchers to accelerate the development of highly-scalable diagnostic devices to control the propagation of the virus, even in the least developed countries. The strategies exploited for detecting COVID-19 stem from the already designed systems for studying other maladies, particularly viral infections, teaching researchers and healthcare professionals that we need to enhance our readiness for future pandemics. The present Special Issue presents not only the novel advances in portable diagnostic devices for recognizing COVID-19, but also the previously existing biosensors for detecting other viruses and future threats. This Special Issue will consider the publication of research or review papers that address the challenges of developing diagnostic technologies for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other infectious diseases. This Special Issue will address the design, implementation, modelling, characterization, validation, and/or optimization and clinical testing of point-of-care diagnostic devices and test kits. This Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topic:

  1. Nucleic acid-based tests for viral RNA detection
    1. PCR-based tests, RT-PCR, and nPCR
    2. Isothermal nucleic acid amplification
    3. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
    4. Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
    5. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA)
    6. CRISPR-/Cas-based tests
    7. DNA‐microarray-based tests
    8. Sequencing‐based tests
  2. Protein-based tests
    1. Serological tests
    2. Rapid serological lateral flow-based tests for antibody detection
    3. Manual or automated lab-based serological tests
    4. Chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIA)
    5. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
    6. Fluorescence immunoassays (FIA)
    7. Antibody microarrays
  3. Antigenic tests
  4. Other technologies
    1. FET-based biosensors, FRET, and dual functional plasmonic biosensors
    2. Plasmonic fiber-optic absorbance biosensors
    3. CANARY biosensors
    4. Smartphone-based LFA

Prof. Dr. Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Bioengineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • COVID-19 test kits
  • biosensor
  • point-of-care disease diagnostics

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Review, Other

6 pages, 192 KiB  
Editorial
Emerging Field-Effect Transistor Biosensors for Life Science Applications
by Abbas Panahi and Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh
Bioengineering 2023, 10(7), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10070793 - 2 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2346
Abstract
Field-effect transistors (FETs) have gained significant interest and hold great potential as groundbreaking sensing technology in the fields of biosensing and life science research [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies: Lessons for Current and Future Pandemic Threats)

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Other

20 pages, 1319 KiB  
Review
Rapid Antigen Tests during the COVID-19 Era in Korea and Their Implementation as a Detection Tool for Other Infectious Diseases
by Kristin Widyasari and Sunjoo Kim
Bioengineering 2023, 10(3), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10030322 - 3 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4045
Abstract
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are diagnostic tools developed to specifically detect a certain protein of infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, or parasites). RATs are easily accessible due to their rapidity and simplicity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, RATs have been widely used in detecting the [...] Read more.
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are diagnostic tools developed to specifically detect a certain protein of infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, or parasites). RATs are easily accessible due to their rapidity and simplicity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, RATs have been widely used in detecting the presence of the specific SARS-CoV-2 antigen in respiratory samples from suspected individuals. Here, the authors review the application of RATs as detection tools for COVID-19, particularly in Korea, as well as for several other infectious diseases. To address these issues, we present general knowledge on the design of RATs that adopt the lateral flow immunoassay for the detection of the analyte (antigen). The authors then discuss the clinical utilization of the authorized RATs amidst the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea and their role in comparison with other detection methods. We also discuss the implementation of RATs for other, non-COVID-19 infectious diseases, the challenges that may arise during the application, the limitations of RATs as clinical detection tools, as well as the possible problem solving for those challenges to maximize the performance of RATs and avoiding any misinterpretation of the test result. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies: Lessons for Current and Future Pandemic Threats)
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17 pages, 830 KiB  
Review
COVID-19 Vaccines: An Updated Overview of Different Platforms
by Dmitry Kudlay, Andrey Svistunov and Oleg Satyshev
Bioengineering 2022, 9(11), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9110714 - 19 Nov 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4995
Abstract
Vaccination has been identified as a critical method of disease control in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this review is to update information on vaccine development and to identify areas of concern that require further research. We reviewed [...] Read more.
Vaccination has been identified as a critical method of disease control in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this review is to update information on vaccine development and to identify areas of concern that require further research. We reviewed the literature on the development of COVID-19 vaccines, their efficacy, and use in special populations, as well as current vaccination strategies. To date, 170 vaccines are in clinical development, with 41 being already approved for use in various countries. The majority of vaccines approved for human use are vector-, subunit-, DNA-, or mRNA-based vaccines, or inactivated viruses. Because of the ongoing mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, well-studied vector vaccines are losing relevance due to the ability of new virus strains to bypass neutralizing antibodies. Simultaneously, PS-based vaccines are becoming more popular. There is mounting evidence that the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines is linked to their clinical efficacy. This has resulted in a shift in vaccination strategies, as well as the use of booster doses and revaccination. Furthermore, vaccination restrictions for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic immunosuppressive diseases have been lifted, allowing more people to be vaccinated. New data on vaccine safety, including the incidence of serious adverse events, have been collected. Despite significant advances in the development of and research on COVID-19 vaccines, many questions remain that require further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies: Lessons for Current and Future Pandemic Threats)
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28 pages, 1774 KiB  
Review
COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies Part II: Protein-Based Technologies
by Tina Shaffaf and Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh
Bioengineering 2021, 8(5), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering8050054 - 28 Apr 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 9029
Abstract
After the initiation of the current outbreak, humans’ lives have been profoundly impacted by COVID-19. During the first months, no rapid and reliable detecting tool was readily available to sufficiently respond to the requirement of massive testing. In this situation, when the development [...] Read more.
After the initiation of the current outbreak, humans’ lives have been profoundly impacted by COVID-19. During the first months, no rapid and reliable detecting tool was readily available to sufficiently respond to the requirement of massive testing. In this situation, when the development of an effective vaccine requires at least a few months, it is crucial to be prepared by developing and commercializing affordable, accurate, rapid and adaptable biosensors not only to fight Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) but also to be armed to avoid the pandemic in the earliest stages in the future. The COVID-19 diagnostic tools are categorized into two main groups of Nucleic Acid (NA)-based and protein-based tests. To date, nucleic acid-based detection has been announced as the gold-standard strategy for coronavirus detection; however, protein-based tests are promising alternatives for rapid and large-scale screening of susceptible groups. In this review, we discuss the current protein-based biosensing tools, the research advances and the potential protein-detecting strategies for COVID-19 detection. This narrative review aims to highlight the importance of the diagnostic tests, encourage the academic research groups and the companies to eliminate the shortcomings of the current techniques and step forward to mass-producing reliable point-of-care (POC) and point-of-need (PON) adaptable diagnostic tools for large-scale screening in the future outbreaks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies: Lessons for Current and Future Pandemic Threats)
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29 pages, 2446 KiB  
Review
COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies. Part I: Nucleic Acid-Based Technologies
by Tina Shaffaf and Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh
Bioengineering 2021, 8(4), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering8040049 - 17 Apr 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 9030
Abstract
The novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused respiratory infection, resulting in more than two million deaths globally and hospitalizing thousands of people by March 2021. A considerable percentage of the SARS-CoV-2 positive patients are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic carriers, facilitating [...] Read more.
The novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused respiratory infection, resulting in more than two million deaths globally and hospitalizing thousands of people by March 2021. A considerable percentage of the SARS-CoV-2 positive patients are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic carriers, facilitating the viral spread in the community by their social activities. Hence, it is critical to have access to commercialized diagnostic tests to detect the infection in the earliest stages, monitor the disease, and follow up the patients. Various technologies have been proposed to develop more promising assays and move toward the mass production of fast, reliable, cost-effective, and portable PoC diagnostic tests for COVID-19 detection. Not only COVID-19 but also many other pathogens will be able to spread and attach to human bodies in the future. These technologies enable the fast identification of high-risk individuals during future hazards to support the public in such outbreaks. This paper provides a comprehensive review of current technologies, the progress in the development of molecular diagnostic tests, and the potential strategies to facilitate innovative developments in unprecedented pandemics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies: Lessons for Current and Future Pandemic Threats)
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Other

Jump to: Editorial, Review

10 pages, 301 KiB  
Perspective
Understanding the Pivotal Role of the Vagus Nerve in Health from Pandemics
by Claire-Marie Rangon and Adam Niezgoda
Bioengineering 2022, 9(8), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9080352 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3083
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic seems endless with the regular emergence of new variants. Is the SARS-CoV-2 virus particularly evasive to the immune system, or is it merely disrupting communication between the body and the brain, thus pre-empting homeostasis? Retrospective analysis of the COVID-19 and [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic seems endless with the regular emergence of new variants. Is the SARS-CoV-2 virus particularly evasive to the immune system, or is it merely disrupting communication between the body and the brain, thus pre-empting homeostasis? Retrospective analysis of the COVID-19 and AIDS pandemics, as well as prion disease, emphasizes the pivotal but little-known role of the 10th cranial nerve in health. Considering neuroimmunometabolism from the point of view of the vagus nerve, non-invasive bioengineering solutions aiming at monitoring and stimulating the vagal tone are subsequently discussed as the next optimal and global preventive treatments, far beyond pandemics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies: Lessons for Current and Future Pandemic Threats)
16 pages, 1226 KiB  
Perspective
Novel Vaccine Adjuvants as Key Tools for Improving Pandemic Preparedness
by Brett H. Pogostin and Kevin J. McHugh
Bioengineering 2021, 8(11), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering8110155 - 24 Oct 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 8051
Abstract
Future infectious disease outbreaks are inevitable; therefore, it is critical that we maximize our readiness for these events by preparing effective public health policies and healthcare innovations. Although we do not know the nature of future pathogens, antigen-agnostic platforms have the potential to [...] Read more.
Future infectious disease outbreaks are inevitable; therefore, it is critical that we maximize our readiness for these events by preparing effective public health policies and healthcare innovations. Although we do not know the nature of future pathogens, antigen-agnostic platforms have the potential to be broadly useful in the rapid response to an emerging infection—particularly in the case of vaccines. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, recent advances in mRNA engineering have proven paramount in the rapid design and production of effective vaccines. Comparatively, however, the development of new adjuvants capable of enhancing vaccine efficacy has been lagging. Despite massive improvements in our understanding of immunology, fewer than ten adjuvants have been approved for human use in the century since the discovery of the first adjuvant. Modern adjuvants can improve vaccines against future pathogens by reducing cost, improving antigen immunogenicity, and increasing antigen stability. In this perspective, we survey the current state of adjuvant use, highlight potentially impactful preclinical adjuvants, and propose new measures to accelerate adjuvant safety testing and technology sharing to enable the use of “off-the-shelf” adjuvant platforms for rapid vaccine testing and deployment in the face of future pandemics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies: Lessons for Current and Future Pandemic Threats)
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