On the Response of Nanoelectrode Impedance Spectroscopy Measures to Plant, Animal, and Human Viruses

A simplified lumped geometrical and electrical model for the high-frequency impedance spectroscopy (HFIS) response of nanoelectrodes to T=3 capsids and full viruses is developed starting from atomistic descriptions, in order to test the theoretical response of a realistic HFIS CMOS biosensor platform to different viruses. Capacitance spectra are computed for plant (cowpea chlorotic mottle virus), animal (rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus), and human (hepatitis A virus) viruses. A few common features of the spectra are highlighted, and the role of virus charge, pH, and ionic strength on the expected signal is discussed. They suggest that the frequency of highest sensitivity at nearly physiological concentrations (100 mM) is within reach of existing HFIS platform designs.