Detection of Ebola Virus Using Toehold Switches
Ebola virus is a single-stranded negative-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Filoviridae family. The virus, first identified in Congo in 1976, is a zoonotic disease that spreads mainly through the blood, saliva, sweat, and secretions of patients. Ebola has an incubation period of up to 2 to 21 days and a biosafety level of 4. Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EBHF), caused by the Ebola virus, is the deadliest viral hemorrhagic fever in the world today, with a mortality rate as high as 88%. Such a virulent virus, once it spreads, the consequences cannot be imagined. Therefore, Ebola needs a rapid, point-of-care detection method.
Conventional Testing Methods
- Electron microscopy
- Serum neutralization assay
- Virus isolation by cell culture
- Antigen capture detection assay
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay
- Antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Ebola virus is a highly dangerous pathogen and virus isolation and identification must be performed in specialized laboratory facilities. ELISA assays with high specificity and sensitivity have been used to detect the Ebola virus. However, these assays have high site requirements, especially for pathogen detection, which all need to be performed in a level 4 biosafety laboratory. Therefore, immediate detection of the Ebola virus is not possible.
Toehold Switches in Ebola Virus Detection
Toehold switches have been widely used in biosynthesis since their discovery and are often introduced into biosensors by researchers. Toehold switch RNA designed according to the Ebola virus gene sequence can sensitively detect the presence of the Ebola virus. CD BioSciences, as a professional provider of services related to toehold switches, is able to provide you with the development service of detection sensors for Ebola virus and Ebola virus detection service using our toehold switches technology platform.
The Development Services We Can Provide Based on Toehold Switches
Currently, it has been reported in the literature that some scholars have successfully developed rapid and sensitive pathogen detection devices by introducing toehold switches into biosensors. At CD BioSciences, we provide toehold switches-based Ebola virus detection sensor development service for researchers working on Ebola virus detection based on our toehold switches technology platform with advanced laboratory equipment. Our main biosensor development service for the Ebola virus is as follows.
Our Testing Services Based on the Toehold Switches Platform
Currently, there is an increasing demand for immediate detection of the Ebola virus. We are able to use our toehold switches technology platform to provide toehold switches-based detection services for the following six Ebolaviruses for scholars working on Ebola-related research, as well as toehold switches-based detection development services for these six viruses.
- Zaire Ebolavirus (EBOV)
- Sudan Ebolavirus (SUDV)
- Reston Ebolavirus (RESTV)
- Taï Forest Ebolavirus (TAFV)
- Bundibugyo Ebolavirus (BDBV)
- Bombali Ebolavirus (BOMV)
Advantages of Toehold Switches in Ebola Virus Detection
- Helps monitor virus infection in Ebola-affected areas
- Enables rapid pathogen detection in remote areas.
- Enables pathogen detection without specialized laboratory skills.
CD BioSciences, as a biotechnology company representing the top international level, has a rich track record of research related to toehold switches. We are confident that we can provide you with a satisfactory toehold switch sensor development service for the Ebola virus. If you want to know more details, please feel free to contact us.
Reference
- To, A.C.; et al. A comprehensive web tool for toehold switch design. Bioinformatics. 2018, 34(16): 2862-2864.