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

最近的全球SARS-CoV-2大流行已导致全球超过2800万人感染，约904万人死亡，给全球经济造成的损失估计约为8.8万亿美元。SARS-CoV-2不是近年来的第一次病毒爆发，也不会是最后一次。在疫苗和药物开发的同时，迫切需要开发强大和无毒的“清洁”解决方案，以使正常活动得以恢复。通常以漂白剂为基础的清洁剂被用作病毒剂，但这些清洁剂只适用于坚硬、耐化学物质的表面，不能用于接触皮肤或被吸入的地方。对于纺织品(如床上用品、衣服和口罩)的清洁，需要一种不依赖漂白剂的清洁剂。这种无毒的病毒剂也可以喷雾或气雾剂的形式使用，既可以用于间歇清洁，也可以用于持续的极低水平喷洒(例如零售店、餐馆或公共交通工具)。这种方法可以降低传播率，恢复信心，重振经济，防止进一步爆发。我们将与我们的工业合作伙伴(位于剑桥的Aqdot SME)合作，开发和研究无毒的新型抗病毒药物。AQDot生产100吨/年规模的材料这些材料没有细胞毒性，已被证明是无刺激性的，没有生物积累，对水生生物是安全的。这些新型抗病毒药物有可能成为第一种商业上可行的材料，既能有效地抗病毒，又能对人、动物和环境友好。在这里，这些生物相容的杀病毒剂将被探索它们对以融合和生物气雾剂形式存在的病毒的作用方式。即使是简单的基于解决方案的灭活也可能有好处，例如在实现安全、无毒的灭活病毒传输介质方面。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者。被选中的候选人将被期望合成材料并进行体外病毒学测试。与工业伙伴合作并与之建立良好关系的浓厚兴趣以及学习新技术的愿望将是至关重要的。在工业合作伙伴的实习期间，学生将被鼓励调查如何将他们的发现应用于社会利益。鼓励积极进取的个人申请，这些人能够独立工作，能够成为更大团队的一部分，并具有强大的研究背景。

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.