Detection of Avian Influenza Virus with PCR-Like Sensitivity by Fluorescent DNA Barcode-Based Immunoassay

In this paper, we report a coupling of fluorophore-DNA barcode and bead-based<br/>immunoassay for the detection of Avian Influenza Virus (AIV), a potential pandemic threat for human health and enormous economic losses. The detection strategy is based on the use of sandwich immunoassay and fluorophore-tagged oligonucleotides as representatively fluorescent barcodes. Despite its simplicity the assay has sensitivity comparable to RT-PCR amplification, and possesses a great potential as a rapid and sensitive on-chip detection format.