A multi-STI sensor based on aptamers Gotta Detect 'Em All: a multi-STI sensor based on aptamers Authors

STIs constitute a major public health issue today. Treatments are often started too late resulting in health problems such as sterility. If prevention is probably the most effective action one can take to prevent the spread of STIs, early detection can help limit their deleterious effects. We propose in this work a new approach based on aptamers bound to paper to detect HIV and Hepatitis B biomarkers from blood sample.The detection device is based on two target generators (BBa_K1934060 and BBa_K1934061: protein subunits p51 and p66 of the HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase, and HBsAg: biomarker of Hepatitis B) and one anchor allowing the fixation of the aptamer to the paper (see graphical abstract). Biomarker/aptamer binding is visualized by two methods. The first method is based on fluorescence. As a proof of concept, we used a paired ATP/aptamer and were able to successfully detect ATP up to 10 μmol.L . However, the signal is not detectable with naked eyes or with a cell phone equipped with a blue and green filters. Therefore a lateral flow assay with nano-sized latex black beads was tested. Our work shows that a protein biomarker such as thrombin can be complexed with latex beads coated with aptamers in liquid. The ultimate step, migration of the latex beads inside paper, needs further optimization. To easily handle several STI-tests on a single paper strip, an innovative bio-sourced PLA casing was designed and 3D printed to offer an additional intuitive user-interface. Financial Disclosure Gotta Detect'Em All (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (6) (6) (6)