Artificial-Intelligence Bio-Inspired Peptide for Salivary Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Electrochemical Biosensor Integrated with Machine Learning Algorithms.

Journal: Biosensors
PMID:

Abstract

Developing affordable, rapid, and accurate biosensors is essential for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and early detection. We created a bio-inspired peptide, using the SAGAPEP AI platform, for COVID-19 salivary diagnostics via a portable electrochemical device coupled to Machine Learning algorithms. SAGAPEP enabled molecular docking simulations against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein's RBD, leading to the synthesis of Bio-Inspired Artificial Intelligence Peptide 1 (BIAI1). Molecular docking was used to confirm interactions between BIAI1 and SARS-CoV-2, and BIAI1 was functionalized on rhodamine-modified electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) using a [Fe(CN)] solution detected virus levels in saliva samples with and without SARS-CoV-2. Support vector machine (SVM)-based machine learning analyzed electrochemical data, enhancing sensitivity and specificity. Molecular docking revealed stable hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions with RBD, showing an average affinity of -250 kcal/mol. Our biosensor achieved 100% sensitivity, 80% specificity, and 90% accuracy for 1.8 × 10⁴ focus-forming units in infected saliva. Validation with COVID-19-positive and -negative samples using a neural network showed 90% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. This BIAI1-based electrochemical biosensor, integrated with machine learning, demonstrates a promising non-invasive, portable solution for COVID-19 screening and detection in saliva.

Authors

  • Marcelo Augusto Garcia-Junior
    Innovation Center in Salivary Diagnostic and Nanobiotechnology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38408-100, MG, Brazil.
  • Bruno Silva Andrade
    Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, State University of Southwest of Bahia (UESB), Jequié 45205-490, Brazil.
  • Ana Paula Lima
    Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology-Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart, Innovation Center in Salivary Diagnostic and Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil.
  • Iara Pereira Soares
    Post-Graduation Program in Genetics and Biochemistry, Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology-Dr Luiz Ricardo Goulart, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil.
  • Ana Flávia Oliveira Notário
    Post-Graduation Program in Genetics and Biochemistry, Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology-Dr Luiz Ricardo Goulart, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil.
  • Sttephany Silva Bernardino
    Innovation Center in Salivary Diagnostic and Nanobiotechnology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38408-100, MG, Brazil.
  • Marco Fidel Guevara-Vega
    Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology-Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart, Innovation Center in Salivary Diagnostic and Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil.
  • Ghabriel Honório-Silva
    Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology-Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart, Innovation Center in Salivary Diagnostic and Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil.
  • Rodrigo Alejandro Abarza Munoz
    Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil.
  • Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
    Laboratory of Antiviral Research, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Mario Machado Martins
    Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology "Luiz Ricardo Goulart", Biotechnology Institute, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38408-100, MG, Brazil.
  • Luiz Ricardo Goulart
    Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology-Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart, Innovation Center in Salivary Diagnostic and Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil.
  • Thulio Marquez Cunha
    Department of Pulmonology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil.
  • Murillo Guimarães Carneiro
    Faculty of Computing, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38408-100, MG, Brazil.
  • Robinson Sabino-Silva
    Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Brazil. Electronic address: robinsonsabino@gmail.com.