Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a particulate composition formed from a conductive polymer bound to magnetic nanoparticles. The particulate composition can be formed into a biologically enhanced, electrically active magnetic (BEAM) nanoparticle composition by further including a binding pair member (e.g., an antibody or a fragment thereof that specifically recognizes a virus strain or a virus surface protein) bound to the conductive polymer of the particulate composition. The disclosure further provides compositions, kits, detection apparatus, and methods for detecting specific viral strains including those with pandemic potential. In the various embodiments, a triplex including the BEAM nanoparticle, a virus or virally derived material (e.g. strain- and/or strain subtype specific viral surface protein or fragments thereof), and a viral strain subtype-specific binding pair member (e.g., a glycan that recognizes a specific virus strain subtype) is formed and detected, such as by use of a biosensor.