| (Nanowerk News) Researchers from the IBB-UAB have developed a new class of nanostructures capable of trapping and neutralising large quantities of the SARS-CoV2 virus particles, both in liquid solutions and on the surface of materials. These novel nanoparticles could be used to manufacture antiviral materials such as wastewater and air filters, and could be exploited to develop new tests for the early detection of Covid-19. Moreover, the nanoparticles could be redesigned to target other pathogens. | |
| The study was led by researchers from the Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (IBB-UAB), who highlight the potential of the developed nanostructures for the manufacturing of new antiviral materials. | |
| The study was published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials (“Protein Nanoparticles for Targeted SARS-CoV-2 Trapping and Neutralization»”). | |
| The new nanoparticles, called LCB1-NPs and LCB3-NPs, are formed by repeats of three proteins, which are joined together thanks to the self-assembly properties of one of the three, called ZapB. In the genetic engineering strategy that was implemented, the researchers fused ZapB with the mCherry protein, which confers red fluorescence to the nanoparticles, and to this union they added the LCB1 and LCB3 proteins, which provide the ability to bind and neutralise the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Thus, by forming these nanostructures, it was possible to localise all these functions in a single nanoparticle. | |
 |
|
| Illustration of the formation of the new nanoparticles, LCB1-NPs and LCB3-NPs, designed by the IBB-UAB researchers. (Image: IBB-UAB) | |
| The researchers underscore the high affinity of the nanoparticles to bind to the viral spike protein that allows SARS-CoV2 internalization into cells. This process enables the nanoparticles to neutralise the infection in both liquid solutions and immobilised on a surface. This demonstrates the great versatility of this new antiviral nanomaterial, paving the way for its utilisation in a multitude of applications. | |
| “Each nanoparticle is composed of many LCB1 or LCB3 proteins, resulting in a high density of SARS-CoV-2 binding sites that allow each nanoparticle to bind to more than one virus. This greatly increases their potential as an antiviral material compared to other materials in which each nanostructure can only bind to one single particle of the virus,” explains IBB-UAB researcher Marc Fornt, first author of the study. | |
| The red fluorescence makes it easier to track and localize the nanoparticles with the naked eye, which makes them much easier to handle. | |
| An experiment using the nanoparticles to engineer a virus filter has allowed the researchers to demonstrate the ability of this new nanomaterial to trap and neutralise large quantities of SARS-CoV-2. Among its applications are the filtering of wastewater containing secretions from patients affected by Covid-19 to prevent them from reaching the water system, and the filtering of air in sensitive areas such as hospital wards. The nanoparticles could also be used in the manufacturing of new ultra-sensitive detection tests to diagnose the disease in the early stages of infection, when the viral load is still very low. | |
| “These new nanoparticles are also of great interest for the industrial production of antiviral materials due to the simplicity, speed and low cost involved in making them,” says IBB-UAB researcher and director of I3PT Salvador Ventura, who coordinated the study. | |
| The modular system through which the nanostructures were generated allows the protein that recognises and neutralises SARS-CoV-2 to be replaced by proteins that recognise other pathogens of interest. “This flexibility provides a solid framework for the generation of new materials to combat potential emerging infectious diseases effectively and rapidly, particularly if combined with recent advances in de novo protein design,” concludes Salvador Ventura. |
| Source: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Note: Content may be edited for style and length) |
News
How to prevent chronic inflammation from zombie-like cells that accumulate with age
In humans and other multicellular organisms, cells multiply. This defining feature allows embryos to grow into adulthood, and enables the healing of the many bumps, bruises and scrapes along the way. Certain factors can [...]
Breakthrough for long Covid patients who lost sense of smell
A breakthrough nasal surgery has restored the sense of smell for a dozen long Covid patients. Experts at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust successfully employed a technique typically used for correcting blocked nasal passages, [...]
Scientists Invent Plastic That Can Dissolve In Seawater In Just A Few Hours
Plastic waste and pollution in the sea have been among the most serious environmental problems for decades, causing immense damage to marine life and ecosystems. However, a breakthrough discovery may offer a game-changing solution. [...]
Muscles from the 3D printer
Swiss researchers have developed a method for printing artificial muscles out of silicone. In the future, these could be used on both humans and robots. Swiss researchers have succeeded in printing artificial muscles out [...]
Beneficial genetic changes observed in regular blood donors
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified genetic changes in blood stem cells from frequent blood donors that support the production of new, non-cancerous cells. Understanding the differences in the mutations that accumulate [...]
Shocking Amounts of Microplastics in the Brain – It Could Be Increasing Our Risk of Dementia
The brain has higher concentrations of plastic particles compared to other organs, with increased levels found in dementia patients. In a comprehensive commentary published in Brain Medicine, researchers highlight alarming new evidence of microplastic accumulation [...]
Baffling Scientists for Centuries: New Study Unravels Mystery of Static Electricity
ISTA physicists demonstrate that contact electrification depends on the contact history of materials. For centuries, static electricity has intrigued and perplexed scientists. Now, researchers from the Waitukaitis group at the Institute of Science and [...]
Tumor “Stickiness” – Scientists Develop Potential New Way To Predict Cancer’s Spread
UC San Diego researchers have developed a device that predicts breast cancer aggressiveness by measuring tumor cell adhesion. Weakly adherent cells indicate a higher risk of metastasis, especially in early-stage DCIS. This innovation could [...]
Scientists Just Watched Atoms Move for the First Time Using AI
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking AI-driven technique that reveals the hidden movements of nanoparticles, essential in materials science, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. By integrating artificial intelligence with electron microscopy, researchers can now visualize atomic-level changes that were [...]
Scientists Sound Alarm: “Safe” Antibiotic Has Led to an Almost Untreatable Superbug
A recent study reveals that an antibiotic used for liver disease patients may increase their risk of contracting a dangerous superbug. An international team of researchers has discovered that rifaximin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic [...]
Scientists Discover Natural Compound That Stops Cancer Progression
A discovery led by OHSU was made possible by years of study conducted by University of Portland undergraduates. Scientists have discovered a natural compound that can halt a key process involved in the progression [...]
Scientists Just Discovered an RNA That Repairs DNA Damage – And It’s a Game-Changer
Our DNA is constantly under threat — from cell division errors to external factors like sunlight and smoking. Fortunately, cells have intricate repair mechanisms to counteract this damage. Scientists have uncovered a surprising role played by [...]
What Scientists Just Discovered About COVID-19’s Hidden Death Toll
COVID-19 didn’t just claim lives directly—it reshaped mortality patterns worldwide. A major international study found that life expectancy plummeted across most of the 24 analyzed countries, with additional deaths from cardiovascular disease, substance abuse, and mental [...]
Self-Propelled Nanoparticles Improve Immunotherapy for Non-Invasive Bladder Cancer
A study led by Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in South Korea details the creation of urea-powered nanomotors that enhance immunotherapy for bladder cancer. The nanomotors [...]
Scientists Develop New System That Produces Drinking Water From Thin Air
UT Austin researchers have developed a biodegradable, biomass-based hydrogel that efficiently extracts drinkable water from the air, offering a scalable, sustainable solution for water access in off-grid communities, emergency relief, and agriculture. Discarded food [...]
AI Unveils Hidden Nanoparticles – A Breakthrough in Early Disease Detection
Deep Nanometry (DNM) is an innovative technique combining high-speed optical detection with AI-driven noise reduction, allowing researchers to find rare nanoparticles like extracellular vesicles (EVs). Since EVs play a role in disease detection, DNM [...]
