Water-borne nanocoating for rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses

The rise in coronavirus variants has resulted in surges of the disease across the globe. The mutations in the spike protein on the surface of the virion membrane not only allow for greater transmission but raise concerns about vaccine effectiveness. Preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2, its variants and other viruses from person-to-person via airborne or surface transmission requires effective inactivation of the virus. The project will develop a water-borne spray-on coating for the complete inactivation of virial particles and degradation of their RNA. Our polymer nanoparticles need to efficiently bind and, through subsequent large nano-scale conformational changes rupture the viral membrane and subsequent bind and degrade its RNA.  The research project described here represents an environmentally friendly coating with a proposed nano-mechanical mechanism for inactivation of both enveloped and capsid viruses. The functional nanoworms can be easily modified to target viruses in future pandemics, and is compatible with large scale manufacturing processes.

  Are you interested in a PhD at the AIBN? Click here, and start your journey today.