The infection ability of viruses has been reduced by 96% using mechanical methods
An international research project in which the URV has taken part has designed and manufactured a surface that has virucidal properties but does not use any chemicals
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THE IMAGE SHOWS A VIRUS ON A NANOSTRUCTURED SURFACE
view moreCREDIT: ACS NANO
A team of researchers from the URV and the RMIT University (Australia) has designed and manufactured a surface that uses mechanical means to mitigate the infectious potential of viruses. Made of silicon, the artificial surface consists of a series of tiny spikes that damage the structure of viruses when they come into contact with it. The research has revealed how these processes work and that they are 96% effective. Using this technology in environments in which there is potentially dangerous biological material would make laboratories easier to control and safer for the professionals who work there.
Spike the viruses to kill them. This seemingly unsophisticated concept requires considerable technical expertise and has one great advantage: a high virucidal potential that does not require the use of chemicals. The process of making the virucidal surfaces starts with a smooth metal plate, which is bombarded with ions to strategically remove material. The result is a surface full of needles that are 2 nanometers thick – 30,000 would fit in a hair – and 290 high. “In this case, we used silicon because it is less complicated technically speaking than other metals”, explains Vladimir Baulin, researcher from the URV’s Physical and Inorganic Chemistry Department.
This procedure is not new for Baulin, who has spent the last ten years studying mechanical methods for controlling pathogenic microorganisms inspired by the world of nature: “The wings of insects such as dragonflies or cicadas have a nanometric structure that can pierce bacteria and fungi”, he explains. In this case, however, viruses are an order of magnitude smaller than bacteria so the needles must be correspondingly smaller if they are to have any effect on them. One example of this is hPIV-3, the object of study of this research, which causes respiratory infections such as bronchiolitis, bronchitis or pneumonia. The so-called parainfluenza viruses cause a third of all acute respiratory infections and are associated with lower respiratory tract infections in children. “In addition to being an epidemiologically important virus, it is a model virus, safe to handle, as it does not cause potentially fatal diseases in adults”, says Baulin.
The process by which viruses lose their infectious ability when they come into contact with the nanostructured surface was analysed in theoretical and practical terms by the research team. The URV researchers, Vladimir Baulin and Vassil Tzanov, used the finite element method – a computational method that divides up the surface of the virus and processes each fragment independently – to simulate the interactions between the viruses and the needles and their consequences. At the same time, the RMIT University researchers carried out a practical experimental analysis, exposing the virus to the nanostructured surface and observing the results.
The findings show that this method is extremely effective and incapacitates 96% of viruses that come into contact with the surface within a period of six hours. The study has confirmed that the surfaces have a virucidal effect because of the ability of the needles to destroy or incapacitate viruses by damaging their external structure or piercing the membrane. Using this technology in risk environments such as laboratories or health centres in which there is potentially dangerous biological material would make it easier to contain infectious diseases and make these environments safer for researchers, health workers and patients.
JOURNAL
ACS Nano
METHOD OF RESEARCH
Computational simulation/modeling
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
Cells
ARTICLE TITLE
Piercing of the Human Parainfluenza Virus by Nanostructured Surfaces
Resin destroys coronavirus from plastic surfaces
A recent study found that a resin ingredient is effective against coronaviruses and strongly decreases their infectivity on plastic surfaces
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THE RESEARCH GROUP OF THE PROFESSOR OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY VARPU MARJOMÄKI FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, IS INVESTIGATING HOW DIFFERENT SURFACES AND MATERIALS COULD DECREASE THE SPREAD OF VIRAL DISEASES.
view moreCREDIT: TOMMI SASSI
Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, are currently developing anti-viral surfaces to decrease the spread of infectious diseases. A recent study found that a resin ingredient is effective against coronaviruses and strongly decreases their infectivity on plastic surfaces.
Viruses may persist on solid surfaces for long periods, which may contribute to an increased risk for infection. The research group of the Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology Varpu Marjomäki from the University of Jyväskylä, is investigating how different surfaces and materials could decrease the spread of viral diseases. For example, they are studying how long corona viruses survive on different surfaces when humidity and temperature are varying.
- This information would be of direct benefit to both consumers and industry. Antiviral functionality could be used, for example, in restaurants, kindergartens, public transport and stores, on different surfaces, where viruses can potentially stay infective for a long time and spread easily, says Professor Varpu Marjomäki from the University of Jyväskylä.
Plastic surfaces with antiviral functionality
The researchers of the Nanoscience Center of the University of Jyväskylä studied resin-embedded plastic surfaces against both the seasonal human coronavirus and the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- In our recent study, we found that the viruses stayed infective for more than two days on plastic surfaces that were not treated at all. In contrast, a plastic surface containing resin showed good antiviral activity within fifteen minutes of contact and excellent efficacy after thirty minutes. Plastic treated with resin is therefore a promising candidate for an antiviral surface, says Marjomäki.
Research cooperation project with Premix Oy
The research is part of the BIOPROT project (Development of bio-based and antimicrobial materials and use as protective equipment) funded by Business Finland and has been done in collaboration with the Finnish company Premix Oy.
- The project aims to study existing and develop new antiviral solutions in cooperation with companies such as Premix Oy. This will help to create new products for future pandemics and epidemics, says Marjomäki.
New bio-based and antimicrobial materials in protective equipment
The BIOPROT project involves a total of six universities and research institutes and several companies. The project is coordinated by LUT University and aims to develop new, sustainable and safe material solutions that will be used in the fight against infections, with a particular focus on respiratory and surgical mouth masks and reusable masks for industrial use. It is also hoped that the project will improve the self-sufficiency of products and materials in Europe. At the University of Jyväskylä, under the supervision of Marjomäki, the project is developing bio-based antiviral materials.
- Effective and nature-derived antivirals are available in Finland and could be used for the functionalisation of masks and surfaces. Presently, there are only few bio-based functional solutions available, so we have an opportunity to be pioneers in this field, says Marjomäki.
Further information:
Prof. Varpu Marjomäki, varpu.s.marjomaki@jyu.fi, +358405634422
Research group of the Host-pathogen interactions - virus infection mechanisms and antiviral development: https://www.jyu.fi/en/research-groups/host-pathogen-interactions-virus-infection-mechanisms-and-antiviral-development
Article information:
Antiviral action of a functionalized plastic surface against human coronaviruses, S. Shroff, M. Haapakoski, K. Tapio, M. Laajala, M. Leppänen, Z. Plavec, A. Haapala, S. J. Butcher, J. Ihalainen, J. J. Toppari, V. Marjomäki, Microbiology Spectrum, 16.1.2024, https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03008-23
Link to article: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.03008-23
JOURNAL
Microbiology Spectrum
METHOD OF RESEARCH
Experimental study
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
Cells
ARTICLE TITLE
Antiviral action of a functionalized plastic surface against human coronaviruses
ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE
30-Jan-2024
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