March 30, 2020
A new approach to stopping virus growth gives hope for new therapeutic options against seasonal influenza, bird flu and possibly COVID-19, says Dr. Ned Budisa, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Chemical Synthetic Biology at UM and who holds an adjunct position at the Technical University in Berlin.
Budisa is a member of an international partnership led by German researchers that has developed a chemically engineered nanoparticle that literally takes the air to breathe away from influenza viruses. The team has found these nanoparticles are biodegradable, non-toxic, and not immunogenic in cell culture studies.
Budisa and other Manitoba researchers are working with researchers from the Leibniz Research Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP), the Free University of Berlin (FU), the Humboldt University (HU), the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), and the Charit. This multidisciplinary team of researchers has succeeded to envelop flu viruses in a nanoparticle scaffold so that they cannot infect their host cells. This promising result has just been published in the scientific journal Nature Nanotechnology.
Budisa says the key to the discovery of the new influenza inhibitor was the collaboration of scientists from many disciplines including biologists, chemists, physicists, virologists, physicians, and imaging. Budisas team produced and engineered nanoparticles with synthetic biology that were then chemically modified by other team members. High-resolution electron microscopy and tomography images impressively show that the inhibitor completely encapsulates the virus. The team has even demonstrated this applications therapeutic potential in human lung tissue; if tissue infected with flu viruses was treated with the synthetic phage capsid the part of the virus that contains its genetic material the influenza viruses could no longer multiply.
Budisa notes: Further preclinical examinations must now follow, since it is not yet known whether the phage capsid provokes an immune response in mammals or whether repeated administration would lead to development of resistance towards flu viruses.
He cautions: There is still no proof that the inhibitor is also effective in humans. Therefore, therapeutic potential needs to be researched further.
Influenza viruses are still extremely dangerous. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 650,000 people worldwide die from the flu every year.
Budisa says: Existing antiviral drugs are only partially effective because they only attack the flu virus when it has already infected the lung cells. It would be desirable and far more effective to prevent the infection from the outset.
Chris Rutkowski
Follow this link:
International collaboration developing nanotechnology that may be used against COVID-19 - UM Today
- Electronic Materials Company Cambrios Announces Closing $14.5 Million Round [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Europe's 'Extreme light infrastructure' project gears up for launch [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Industrial nanotechnology processes getting closer [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Konsultation zum Austria Nano-Aktionsplan [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Bewegungen von Viren auf Membranen live verfolgen [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Thailand Nanotechnology Conference on health, energy, environment [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Samsung Intensifies Advanced Foundry Logic Process Development with New Semiconductor Research Center [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Infineon and TSMC to Jointly Develop 65nm Embedded Flash Process Technology For Automotive and Chip Card Applications [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Abraxis Health Dedicates State of the Art Nanotechnology and Biologics Facility in Phoenix, Arizona [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Beneq Announces The First Continous Mode Atomic Layer Deposition Research Tool [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- An electron microscope with glasses [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Give your opinion on the Nanotechnology Research Code of Conduct [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Presentations from the OECD Conference on the Potential Environmental Benefits of Nanotechnology [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- DFI Nanotechnology Expands Into China With Strategic Alliance in Hong Kong [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Pre-announcement: Call for proposals within 'Energy Efficiency with Nanotechnology' [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- This week in nanotechnology [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- New funding for development and deployment of UAlbany nanofabrication strategies [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Applied Materials Acquires the Assets of Advent Solar [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Advanced Researcher Grant 2009 an Nanowissenschaftlerin Luisa de Cola [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Ocean Optics Launches Dedicated OEM Website [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- New synthetic molecules trigger immune response to HIV and prostate cancer [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Computer predicts reactions between molecules and surfaces, with 'chemical precision' [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Austria showcases its nanotechnology initiative [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Nanocapsules for artificial photosynthesis [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Work begins on laboratory for world's strongest microscope [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- New cancer detection method with fluorescent silica beads [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Die Magnetisierung einzelner Atome manipulieren [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Novel nanoparticles could become a safer alternative to gene therapy delivered by viruses [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- DOE awards Argonne, partners more than $7 million for solar energy-related research projects [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Magnetic nanoparticles to simultaneously diagnose, monitor and treat [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Study of ultracold atoms proves theory about universal quantum mechanism [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- RUSNANO Supervisory Council approves nanostructured non-metallic coatings project [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Julian Wess Award for outstanding achievements in elementary particle and astroparticle physics [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- New Pegasus300 Sold to Leading French Research Institute for CMOS Packaging [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Soitec Expands Into the Fast Growing Solar Energy Market With the Acquisition of Concentrix Solar [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Students send microbe nanobiotechnology experiment on Space Shuttle Atlantis [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Photovoltaic cells to power biological nanorobots inside the body [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Environmental and human health impacts of nanotechnology [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Elusive 'hot' electrons captured in ultra-thin solar cells [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Light-generating transistors to power labs on chips [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Combining rare-earth clusters with traditional metal catalysts reveals secrets of chemical transformation [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Hexagon Expands Its Offering in the Vision Metrology Business [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Azaya Therapeutics Receives FDA Authorization to Start Phase I Cancer Trial [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Researchers engineer bacteria to turn carbon dioxide into liquid fuel [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Argonne creates green home for world-class nanotechnology research [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- The mechanism behind superinsulation may lead to new types of electronics [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Biosensors change color when they detect specific neural messages [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- First measurement of cancer biomarkers in whole blood [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Nanoprobes hit targets in tumors, could lessen chemo side effects [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- EYP/energy group joins UAlbany NanoCollege's National Institute for Sustainable Energy [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Scientists isolate new antifreeze molecule in Alaska beetle [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Ocean Optics XR-Series Spectrometers Cover 200-1050 nm Wavelengths [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- All-in-one cancer-killing nanoparticle can be tracked in real time with MRI [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Nanobodies modifizieren die Form und Funktion von Proteinen [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. to Join Leica Microsystems' Parent Company Board of Directors [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- France to invest billions in nanotechnology [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- AlphaRx Appoints President for its China Operations [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Vistec Enters Into Electron-Beam Lithograpy Project With Moscow University [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Record-breaking ultrasensitive spectrometer identifies trace gases in real time [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- NanoMech Receives Navy Contract to Develop Nanotechnology Lubricant [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Heart cells display a behavior-guiding 'nanosense' on new lab-on-a-chip [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- New curriculum mixes nanotechnology and skiing [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Rexahn and TheraTarget Form Nanotechnology Research Collaboration [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Unidym Enters Agreement to Integrate Carbon Nanotube Films Into LCDs [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Carl Zeiss Meditec Closes Financial Year on a High [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- The Scott Partnership Appointed to Launch Innovative New Printed Electronics Business [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- New Centre for Molecular Epidemiology to put bacteria on the world map [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- New nanotechnology association established to address 21st century natural resource and energy security challenges [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- Analysis of information gathering initiatives on manufactured nanomaterials [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- OECD publishes manufactured nanomaterials roadmap 2010 [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- New imaging technique allows quick evaluation of graphene sheets [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
- National Institute of Standards and Technology invests up to $71 million in new manufacturing, infrastructure research and development [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Southwest Nanotechnologies Recieves Two Prestigious Research Grants To Deveop A New Generation of Carbon Nanotubes [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Nanolithographic technique allows multiple chemicals on a single chip [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Study documents puzzling movement of electricity-producing bacteria near energy sources [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Erstmals Daten aus lebenden Zellen: Optisches Verfahren misst molekulare Reaktionszeiten [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- New Constant Diameter NeedleProbes with Unique Ability to Measure Liquid Surface Properties by AFM [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Chemical Nanotechnology Talks X: Green nano - challenges of sustainability [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- Patents Issued for Licensed PAL-M Super-resolution Technology [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- International Network CONTACT researches the use of carbon nanotubes in various applications [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]