Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2025
Efficient Transfection of In vitro Transcribed mRNA in Cultured Cells Using Peptide-Poloxamine Nanoparticles
Published on: August 17, 2022
Recent advances in nanotechnology-based COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutic antibodies
Lanying Du1, Yang Yang2, Xiujuan Zhang3
1Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA. ldu3@gsu.edu.
Abstract:
COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic and millions of deaths. It is imperative to develop effective countermeasures against the causative viral agent, SARS-CoV-2 and its many variants. Vaccines and therapeutic antibodies are the most effective approaches for preventing and treating COVID-19, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 enters host cells through the activities of the virus-surface spike (S) protein. Accordingly, the S protein is a prime target for vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. Dealing with particles with dimensions on the scale of nanometers, nanotechnology has emerged as a critical tool for rapidly designing and developing safe, effective, and urgently needed vaccines and therapeutics to control the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, nanotechnology was key to the fast-track approval of two mRNA vaccines for their wide use in human populations. In this review article, we first explore the roles of nanotechnology in battling COVID-19, including protein nanoparticles (for presentation of protein vaccines), lipid nanoparticles (for formulation with mRNAs), and nanobodies (as unique therapeutic antibodies). We then summarize the currently available COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics based on nanotechnology.
Insights
Nanotechnology accelerates the development of vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. This review highlights nanotech
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine and Virology
- Biotechnology and Drug Development
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates rapid development of countermeasures against SARS-CoV-2.
- The viral spike (S) protein is a critical target for vaccines and therapeutics.
- Nanotechnology offers advanced solutions for vaccine and therapeutic design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical role of nanotechnology in combating COVID-19.
- To explore nanotechnology-based vaccines and therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2.
- To summarize current nanotechnology-driven COVID-19 interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on nanotechnology applications in COVID-19.
- Analysis of nanotechnology's role in vaccine and therapeutic development.
- Categorization of nanotech approaches including protein nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, and nanobodies.
Main Results:
- Nanotechnology has been instrumental in the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, such as mRNA vaccines formulated with lipid nanoparticles.
- Protein nanoparticles are effective for presenting viral antigens, while nanobodies offer unique therapeutic antibody capabilities.
- Various nanotechnology-based vaccines and therapeutics are currently available or in development.
Conclusions:
- Nanotechnology is a vital tool for creating effective vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.
- The application of nanotechnology has significantly accelerated the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Future strategies against viral threats will likely leverage nanotechnology for rapid development and deployment.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
01:31Hybridoma Technology
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation,...