Cationic polymer brush-modified cellulose nanocrystals for high-affinity virus binding.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Virology

Background:

• High-affinity biomolecule binding surfaces are crucial for biotechnology.
• Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) offer large surface areas for functionalization.
• Cationic modification is needed to bind anionic biomolecules like viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile method for preparing cationic CNCs.
• To evaluate the binding affinity of modified CNCs for virus particles.
• To demonstrate the utility of cationic CNCs in virus concentration and extraction.

Main Methods:

• Surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization of poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) on CNCs.
• Quaternization of pendant amino groups to create cationic surfaces.
• Dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy for characterization and binding studies.

Main Results:

• Cationic CNCs exhibited excellent dispersibility and colloidal stability with a ζ-potential of +38 mV.
• Modified CNCs demonstrated high-affinity electrostatic binding of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus and norovirus-like particles.
• Low concentrations of modified CNCs enabled virus concentration and extraction via centrifugation.

Conclusions:

• The developed cationic CNCs are effective for high-affinity virus binding and concentration.
• These modified CNCs show promise for biotechnological applications, including viral delivery enhancement.
• The study highlights the potential of functionalized CNCs as versatile biomolecule capture agents.