6 days Ago By Korea Bizwire
A team of South Korean scientists has developed a groundbreaking sensor capable of detecting all major variants of COVID-19 in real time. (Image courtesy of POSTECH) POHANG, South Korea, April 15 (Korea Bizwire) — A team of South Korean scientists has developed a groundbreaking sensor capable of detecting all major variants of COVID-19 in real time, offering a significant advancement in the field of infectious disease diagnostics. The research team, led by Professors Oh Seung-soo and Woo Sung-wook of POSTECH’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, in collaboration with Dr.
Lee Min-jong and Professor Kim Sung-han of Asan Medical Center, announced the development on Monday. Their sensor is designed to detect mutations of the coronavirus, including the Omicron variant, with high precision. Traditional diagnostic tools rely heavily on antibodies that target specific virus structures, making them vulnerable to failure as the virus mutates.
To overcome this limitation, the POSTECH team focused on the fact that all variants of COVID-19 bind to the same receptor in the human body—ACE2. This receptor-binding mechanism remains consistent across mutations. The researchers developed a molecular recognition substance that mimics the ACE2 receptor and integrated it into a portable electrochemical sensor.
Unlike conventional PCR tests or rapid antigen kits, which require complex sample processing, the new sensor can detect the virus directly from a saliva sample, making it highly suitable for on-site use. The study was published in the international journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics , a leading publication in the field of analytical chemistry. “This technology can play a major role in managing infectious diseases by providing accurate, on-the-spot detection of emerging COVID variants,” said Professor Oh.
M. H. Lee ( mhlee@koreabizwire.
com.
