High-affinity aptamers enable the rapid optical detection and differentiation of three SARS-CoV-2 VOCs

SARS-CoV-2 virus has been found to be extensively distributed in various animals, both domesticated and wild, highlighting the need for a rapid approach to disease surveillance and control. The most commonly used COVID19 sensing techniques, ELISA, PCR, and RT-PCR, are reliable but necessitate extensive instrumentation, training, and diagnostic time. Therefore, the SARS-CoV-2 detection method needs convenient and scalable diagnostic tools to combat the pandemic. Here, we provide an aptamer-based nano-interferometer sensor that enables rapid and amplification-free ultrasensitive detection and differentiation of three SARS-CoV-2 VOCs (variant of concern), including wild-type, Beta, and Gamma variants. This sensor platform has the potential to become a reserve technology for rapid detection of possible future epidemics.