Detection of nucleocapsid proteins of COVID-19 using a terahertz chemical microscope

Since the first person infected with COVID-19 was diagnosed in December 2019, the infection has spread rapidly all over the world. PCR and antigen testing are commonly used to detect infection, but detection sensitivity and sample size can be improved. In our group, a terahertz chemical microscope (TCM) has been developed. In this study, we successfully detected the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid proteins (N protein) in solutions by immobilizing the aptamer and N protein on a sensing plate using avidin-biotin reaction.