Feature Publication - Bird Flu

Researchers at the University of Alberta led by SPP-ARC investigator Michael Serpe developed a sensor for detecting and quantifying avian influenza A virus (H5N1) by targeting the viral hemagglutinin protein through a magnetic bead based sandwich immunoassay coupled to enzymatic phosphate-to-glucose conversion and electrochemical readout using commercial glucose test strips. The study demonstrated sensitive detection and quantification of intact H5N1 virus in buffer, artificial saliva, and tap water, with a limit of detection of ~10⁵ - 10⁶ RNA copies mL^-1 , while remaining selective when challenged with other representative respiratory pathogens, bacteria, and SARS-CoV-2. By leveraging widely available glucose test strips and a portable mini-potentiostat, this work highlights the future potential of the platform to evolve into a point-of-care or field-deployable sensing platform.
Importantly, because the assay utilizes analyte-specific antibodies while retaining the same core signal-transduction strategy, it can be easily adapted to detect and quantify myriad species that can be instrumental in curbing the impact of emerging and endemic infectious diseases. Recent efforts have been focused on modifying the platform and methodology to detect DNA with PCR-level limits of detection

2026 Horace S. Isbell Award Winner

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