Rapid and sensitive detection of recombinant BK polyomavirus VP1 protein using a molecularly imprinted impedimetric sensor based on poly(o-phenylenediamine)-ZnTeSe@CoCu core/shell quantum dots modified screen-printed gold electrode

BK polyomavirus (BKV) lies latent and asymptomatic within the human populace today. However, when activated, most commonly in renal transplant recipients, the virus replicates within the body causing cell death and eventually organ dysfunction. This work, reports on the novel synthesis, characterization and application of multi-shaped ZnTeSe@CoCu core/shell quantum dots (QDs) for the rapid, ultrasensitive and selective electrochemical impedimetric detection of BKV VP1 protein with surface imprinted poly(o-phenylenediamine)-BKV VP1 protein on screen-printed gold electrode (SPAuE) integrated on a portable hand-held electrochemical device. The QDs were synthesized using a combination of semiconducting metals as the core and the shell layer being composed of electroactive metals, thus, making the QDs material to be both fluorescent and electrochemically conductive. The QDs surface morphology was characterized of spherical, rod, cubic, pentagonal and hexagonal-shaped particles. Electropolymerization via cyclic voltammetry was used to functionalise the QDs/SPAuE surface with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with o-phenylenediamine being used as the functional monomer to imprint the BKV VP1 protein template. Under optimum reaction conditions, impedimetric detection of BKV VP1 protein was achieved using the MIP@QDs/SPAuE within the linear range of 0.1 fg/mL to 100 pg/mL and a detection limit of 0.51 pg/mL was obtained. BKV VP1 protein was successfully detected in human serum and thus proved the potential of the MIP@QDs/SPAuE for BKV VP1 protein detection in complex biological matrix.