The expertise, sophisticated equipment and time required to identify viruses pose obstacles to the timely prevention of and preparation for disease outbreaks. A more portable, streamlined system for viral pathogen surveillance developed by Pennsylvania State University and New York University researchers can provide a rapid, inexpensive tool for early detection.

The handheld VIRRION device uses nanotubes of different dimensions to isolate viruses based on size. Raman spectroscopy is then applied to identify viruses based on molecular vibrations induced by laser light. The nanotubes are coated with gold nanoparticles to enhance the signal-to-noise spectroscopic ratio, and identification is facilitated with a machine learning algorithm and database.

The platform was tested with different avian influenza A viruses and human samples with respiratory infections. Viral capture and detection took only a few minutes with a 70-fold enrichment enhancement. The research reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science demonstrates that the VIRRION method has a sensitivity comparable to that of the conventional real-time polymerase chain reaction assay with 70-90% accuracy.

Its small size and low cost would render the device of value for rapid virus discovery and diagnosis in clinics as well as in the field when disease outbreaks occur.