JSC is developing nanoparticles capable of neutralizing large quantities of coronavirus

Researchers Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) created a new class nanoparticles which can capture and neutralize a large number of particles from SARS-CoV-2 viruswhat causes COVID-19.

The study, published in the journal Advandec Healthcare Materials and conducted by scientists from the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB-UAB), allows coronavirus particles to be retained both in liquid solutions and on surfaces, which opens up a wide range of possibilities. possible applications, UAB reported this Wednesday.

In this sense, the new technology could be used to create antiviral filters for air in hospitals or for wastewater containing secretions of infected patients to prevent them from entering water systems.

In addition, its high sensitivity allows the creation of ultra-sensitive diagnostic tests to detect the disease in the early stages, even when the viral load is low, thereby facilitating the early detection of Covid.

To neutralize the virus, the researchers’ genetic engineering strategy is to create new particles, LCB1-NP and LCB3-NP, formed by a combination of three proteins that come together due to the autonomous assembly properties of one of them. .

Each nanoparticle contains multiple binding sites for the virus, which provides greater antiviral effectiveness compared to other nanotechnology materials, explained IBB-UAB researcher and first author of the study Mark Fornt.

These nanostructures, which fluoresce red thanks to the mCherry protein, facilitate their localization and manipulation, and have also demonstrated in experimental tests their ability to capture and neutralize large quantities of SARS-CoV-2 in controlled environments.