Bioengineered textiles with peptide binders that capture SARS-CoV-2 viral particles

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Textile Science
• Virology

Background:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks, and ventilation are crucial for controlling respiratory virus transmission.
• Current PPE offers only partial protection against viral particle transmission due to physical barriers.
• A need exists for advanced materials that actively neutralize viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel textiles with integrated peptide binders for capturing viral particles.
• To engineer cotton fabric capable of binding and inactivating SARS-CoV-2.
• To assess the efficacy of bioengineered textiles in reducing viral infection.

Main Methods:

• Fused peptides binding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor domain with a cellulose-binding domain.
• Attached hybrid peptides to cellulose fibers in cotton textiles.
• Quantified viral particle capture and reduction in cell infection rates.

Main Results:

• Bioengineered cotton demonstrated high-affinity capture of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles (114,000 particles/cm²).
• The treated cotton reduced subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection of cells by 500-fold.
• The hybrid peptides showed potential for broad application against various pathogens.

Conclusions:

• Bioengineered cotton textiles effectively capture and neutralize SARS-CoV-2, significantly reducing infectivity.
• This technology offers a promising new layer of protection against airborne and fomite transmission of viruses.
• The adaptable peptide-binding strategy can be extended to develop protective materials for diverse applications and pathogens.