Polydiacetylene liposomes functionalized with sialic acid bind and colorimetrically detect influenza virus

Probe sonication method helps prepare polymerizable liposomes capable of binding to influenza virus particles. These liposomes are biomolecular materials having a molecular recognition function, sialic acid, and a detection element, polydiacetylene backbone. Binding of these liposomes leads to a visible color change, and absorption spectroscopy helps quantify the color change. Competitive inhibition studies help confirm the specificity of the color change.