The Liverpool researchers behind the brand-new material are Professor Peter Myers, a research study leader in chromatography, and Dr. Simon Maher, a mass spectrometry professional.
They had been collaborating on high-performance liquid chromatography procedures where proteins “stick” to the surface of the chromatographic assistance materials.
During the pandemic, Professor Myers recognized that reversing this procedure would provide a way to soak up proteins, and particularly the extending S1 spike protein which covers the external lipid membrane of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Interacting, the group from the University of Liverpools Department of Chemistry and Electrical Engineering and Electronics, “re-tuned” the surface of the round silica particle they utilized for chromatography to make the surface area really “sticky” for the COVID-19 S1 spike protein.
At the exact same time, they increased the porosity of the silica particle to offer it a really large area of 300m2 per gram, which is approximately the very same area as a tennis court. They increased the internal volume of the silica sphere to supply a big capacity to “catch” the virus.
The new material is at the evidence of concept stage and the group has shown it works in face masks in addition to air filters such as those utilized in aircrafts, vehicles, and air conditioning.
The group, that includes the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, also established an approach to connect the sticky particles onto the surface area of a conventional face mask.
Teacher Peter Myers said: “This proof of idea research study has actually just scratched the surface area and whilst COVID-19 is no longer a worldwide hazard to our health, this product has the potential to be used in a large range of applications. Our research group is taking a look at establishing more innovative “sticky” surfaces for a range of bioaerosols consisting of the brand-new Covid version BA.2.86 as well as influenzas and other fatal viruses such as Nipah.”
Reference: “Attaching protein-adsorbing silica particles to the surface of cotton substrates for bioaerosol capture consisting of SARS-CoV-2” by Kieran Collings, Cedric Boisdon, Tung-Ting Sham, Kevin Skinley, Hyun-Kyung Oh, Tessa Prince, Adham Ahmed, Shaun H. Pennington, Philip J. Brownridge, Thomas Edwards, Giancarlo A. Biagini, Claire E. Eyers, Amanda Lamb, Peter Myers and Simon Maher, 18 August 2023, Nature Communications.DOI: 10.1038/ s41467-023-40696-x.
A new product that captures coronavirus particles. Credit: University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool researchers develop a new product that records coronavirus particles and could change the performance of face masks.
A research study group at the University of Liverpool has established a new product that catches coronavirus particles and might transform the effectiveness of face masks and other filter equipment to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.
In a paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the group revealed that the new material utilized in a traditional face mask was roughly 93% more effective at catching proteins, including coronavirus proteins, with little effect on breathability.
