Swedish Scientists Develop Nanomaterial That Could Block Viruses before Infection

Researchers at Malmö University develop rSAM-coated nanoparticles that stop viruses from adhering to cells, offering quicker and safer diagnosis and treatment.

Malmö University researchers have created a novel kind of nanomaterial that may make virus detection easier by preventing viruses from adhering to cell surfaces. This could develop into a potent substitute for the common virus tests used today.

Also, the researchers believe that their discovery makes a significant addition to the quickly expanding field of multivalent nanomedicine.

According to Yulia Sergeeva, a member of the research team that carried out the study, which was just published in the prestigious journal ACS Central Science, their findings, could result in new sensors that are simpler to use than existing technology and can detect viruses fast and correctly.

Sergeeva and her colleagues are utilizing rSAM (Reversible Self-Assembled Monolayer) to coat surfaces with tiny molecules capable of multivalently binding proteins. She compares multivalency to a biological Velcro: individual connections are weak and reversible, but when combined, they create stronger, more durable attachments that are essential for processes like cell communication and the first attachment of bacteria or viruses to cells.

The method was applied in the study to create a nanomaterial that binds viruses. In order to accomplish this, they applied an rSAM that contained sialic acid, a tiny sugar that naturally exists on the cell surface, along with nanoscale gold particles.

According to Sergeeva, sialic acid interacts with a particular protein during the initial phase of influenza infection. We used the H5N1 subtype, also referred to as the bird flu virus, in these investigations.

Also, the research team investigated the possibility that these nanoparticles could function as inhibitors to stop viruses from adhering to and entering cells. Current antiviral medications frequently don't start working until the virus has entered the cells, which puts susceptible populations like children, pregnant women, and the elderly at risk.

Even at extremely low concentrations, rSAM-coated nanoparticles were able to stop the influenza virus from attaching itself to cells in studies. Under Sergeeva's direction, researchers intend to examine the toxicity of the nanoparticles to guarantee clinical safety, analyze their potential to differentiate between viruses, and look into applications for identifying additional viruses, including coronaviruses. Additionally, they will investigate whether the technology can prevent the growth of microorganisms, which might lead to additional medical applications.