Detection of two orchid viruses using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensors.
Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensors are based on the principle that adsorption of substances on the surface of a quartz crystal changes its resonance oscillation frequency. A QCM immunosensor was developed for the detection of both cymbidium mosaic potexvirus (CymMV) and odontoglossum ringspot tobamovirus (ORSV) by pre-coating the QCMs with virus-specific antibodies. Upon binding of virions in either purified form or crude sap of infected orchids with the immobilised virus antibodies, the increase in mass at the QCM surface resulted in a reduction in the frequency of resonance oscillation in a manner dependent upon the amount of virus bound. The QCM was able to detect as low as 1 ng each of the two orchid viruses. This detection sensitivity is comparable to enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) but the assay is faster. This immunoassay was shown to be specific, sensitive, rapid and economical, thus providing a viable alternative to virus detection methods. This is the first report using QCM immunosensors to detect plant viruses.
Eun
Alvin Jin-Cherng
AJ
Department of Biological Sciences, The National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, 117543, Singapore, Singapore.
Huang
Liqun
L
Chew
Fook Tim
FT
Li
Sam Fong-Yau
SF
Wong
Sek Man
SM
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003460:Crystallization; D007118:Immunoassay; D029595:Orchidaceae / Q000821:virology*; D017863:Potexvirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011791:Quartz; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017898:Tobamovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011791:Quartz