Unlocking the potential of Cucurbiturils: a mechanistic investigation of a new class of supramolecular antiviral

释放葫芦脲的潜力：新型超分子抗病毒药物的机理研究

• 批准号: 2619088
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Manchester
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2021 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2619088
• 关键词: Unlocking; potential; Cucurbiturils; mechanistic; investigation

The recent global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused over 28M infections and around 904K deaths globally, at an estimated cost to the global economy of around $8.8 trillion. SARS-CoV-2 is not the first viral outbreak in recent years, nor will it be the last. Alongside vaccine and drug development there is a pressing need for development of powerful and non-toxic "cleaning" solutions in order to allow normal activities to resume. Typically bleach-based cleaning agents are used as virucides, yet these are only suitable for hard, chemically resistant surfaces and cannot be used where they would come in contact with skin or be inhaled. For the cleaning of textiles (such as bedding, clothes and facemasks) a cleaning agent that does not rely on bleach is needed. Such a non-toxic virucide could also be used in a spray or aerosol form that could be used for either intermittent cleaning or constant, very low-level spraying (e.g. retail outlets, restaurants or public transport). Such an approach would allow for transmission rates to be decreased, restoring confidence, reactivating the economy and preventing further outbreaks.In collaboration with our industrial partners (Aqdot, Cambridge-based SME), we will develop and investigate novel antiviral agents that are non-toxic. Aqdot produces materials on the 100 tonne/annum scale These materials are not cytotoxic, have been shown to be non-irritant, shown no bioaccumulation, and are safe for aquatic life. These novel antivirals have potential to be the first commercially viable material to be both effective against viruses and kind to people, animals and the environment. Here, these biocompatible virucides will be explored for their mode of action against viruses in the form of fomites and bioaerosols. Even simple solution-based inactivation might have benefits, for example in enabling a safe, non-toxic inactivating Viral Transport Medium.Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the project a range of candidates will be considered from different research backgrounds. The selected candidate will be expected to synthesise material and conduct in-vitro virology assays. A keen interest in working alongside, and establishing a good relationship with, industrial partners as well as a desire to learn new techniques will be essential. During placements at the industrial partner, the student will be encouraged to investigate approaches to the application of their findings for societal benefit. Applications from highly motivated individuals, who are able to work independently as well as part of a larger team and with a strong research background are encouraged.

最近的全球SARS-CoV-2大流行已造成全球超过2800万人感染，约90.4万人死亡，估计全球经济损失约为8.8万亿美元。SARS-CoV-2不是近年来第一次病毒爆发，也不会是最后一次。除了疫苗和药物的开发，迫切需要开发强大和无毒的“清洁”解决方案，以恢复正常活动。通常，基于漂白剂的清洁剂被用作杀病毒剂，但这些清洁剂仅适用于硬的、耐化学腐蚀的表面，不能用于与皮肤接触或被吸入的地方。对于纺织品（如床上用品、衣服和面罩）的清洁，需要不依赖于漂白剂的清洁剂。这种无毒的杀病毒剂也可以喷雾或气溶胶形式使用，可用于间歇性清洁或持续的、非常低水平的喷洒（例如零售店、餐馆或公共交通工具）。通过与我们的工业合作伙伴（Aqdot，总部位于剑桥的SME）合作，我们将开发和研究新型无毒抗病毒药物。Aqdot每年生产100吨的材料。这些材料无细胞毒性，无刺激性，无生物蓄积性，对水生生物安全。这些新的抗病毒药物有可能成为第一个商业上可行的材料，既能有效对抗病毒，又能对人、动物和环境友好。在这里，这些生物相容性杀病毒剂将探讨其对污染物和生物气溶胶形式的病毒的作用模式。即使是简单的基于溶液的灭活也可能有好处，例如在实现安全，无毒的灭活病毒运输介质方面。由于该项目的跨学科性质，将考虑来自不同研究背景的一系列候选人。预计选定的候选人将合成材料并进行体外病毒学测定。对与工业合作伙伴一起工作并建立良好关系的浓厚兴趣以及学习新技术的愿望至关重要。在工业合作伙伴的实习期间，将鼓励学生研究将他们的发现应用于社会效益的方法。鼓励来自积极性高的个人的申请，他们能够独立工作，也是一个更大的团队的一部分，并具有强大的研究背景。