MicroParticle photophysics illuminates viral bio-sensing

Abstract

The authors present an approach for specific and rapid unlabeled detection of a virus by using a microsphere-based whispering gallery mode sensor that transduces the interaction of a whole virus with an anchored antibody. They show theoretically that this sensor can detect a single virion below the mass of HIV. A micro-fluidic device is presented that enables the discrimination between viruses of similar size and shape.