Producing and characterizing nanobodies for the detection of Zika and Dengue viruses

Abstract

Early detection of illness is essential in preventing symptoms from escalating and infectious diseases from spreading. Electrochemical biosensors are a promis- ing tool in healthcare detection. Previously, the collaboration between the Arold and Inal labs has led to the design of organic electrochemical transistors (OECT) capable of rapidly detecting coronavirus in saliva by using nanobody constructs as biorecognition units. In this project, I aimed to prove the versatility of nanobody- functionalized OECT biosensors in detecting other relevant viruses, specifically, Zika and Dengue. Both viruses pose a risk to multiple populations around the world, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I designed and produced nanobod- ies that are reported to bind to the NS1 glycoprotein, which is released by Zika and Dengue into the blood of the patient. Then, I confirmed the binding of the nanobodies to their associated targets. I also developed a robotic liquid handling script to automate the biosensing operations. Ultimately, this project aims to support the design of a multiplex OECT biosensor for blood-borne pathogens.