Nanobiotechnology {BIT-502 3(3-0)} Maryam Iqbal (16672).

Biomimetics and Bio-inspired Nanotechnology to Control COVID-19.

Introduction:

Nowadays, Global world health is confronting with the most threatening circumstances in
regards to the novel intense respiratory disorder called coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is
generally abbreviated as COVID-19 pandemic. This is because, this disease is highly infectious
by its nature and has great potentiality to cause severe pneumonia which in most of the cases due
to immune rejection cause death in about 6.89% of the infected population (information until 27
April 2020). The pathogen causing COVID-19 is called severe Acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is accepted to be started from the Wuhan Province in
China. Tragically, till now we are unable to produce effective and acute immunization or vaccine
for SARS-CoV-2, making the circumstance progressively risky and available clinical
considerations are in most of the cases are too useless. In this alarming situation, one should find
hope in biomimetic or use of nano-bio-particles, that by the use of some miraculous natural
molecules they are able to sustainably develop some anti-viral drugs before its getting too late.
[1].

Alarmed Call For Biomimetic: Active interest in making some efforts to help other people is
one approach to make arise some emotions and in this
regard, Biomimics have to play significant role in this
moment. As biomimics, are trained well and have the
potential to discover answers for the world's concerned
and frequently painful difficulties by going to nature's
structures for wisdom and difficulties. It’s the time to
create something innovative to support our present
circumstance, and help our future selves better
recognize and deal with a pandemic when it discovers
us once more. There has never been a superior time to
go to nature for help, guidance, and knowledge.
Biomimics, our time is currently. “The world needs

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us; it is shouting out for help and some helpful innovation. We should have to answer that
call.” [2].
Could Nanotechnology Aid in COVID-19 Fight?
Thomas Webster proves that it can, for the basic explanation the virus particle comprises of a
structure of a comparable scale as his nanoparticles, Webster, who got specialization in creating
nano-scale medication and innovation to treat various disorders, is a piece of a possibility of
researchers that are contributing thoughts and innovation to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention to fight against pandemics, the report said. Webster introduced the particles of
comparable size that has the capacity to show attachments with SARS_CoV-2 and with some
infrared light interactions disrupts their structures. That basic structural changes would then
mask the ability of viral particles to replicate and survive in in the body.
To detect and then make viral particle neutralize with nanomedicine is at the center of what
Webster and different scientists call theranostics, and focusing around joining treatment and
analysis.[3].
Nanotechnology in Battle against COVID-19:
1: Mineral Nanocrystal-based Coating Activated by Light Kills Coronavirus: Rather than
utilizing synthetic substances and poisons to sterilize, we need to use the products employed by
nanotechnology which is green and viable and
effective. In this regard, NanoTouch has made
lot of products that gaurd on entryway handles,
on elevators buttons, even u place them on the
back of your mobile phone to shield you from
infections. The researchers said that these
products are effective in destroying various
infections, including coronavirus.
Sisson added, we spread these mineral
nanocrystals on the surface and these mineral
nanocrystals are charged by any any visible light
and give glow and these charged nanocrystals
carry out very powerful oxidation reactions that totally eradicate any organic contaminant. And
lab testing proved that these crystals nanoparticals were effective against coronavirus too. [4].

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2: Nanopore’s MinION Device Enables Real-time COVID-19 Genome Sequencing: In UK,
ACOVID-19 genome sequencing union has been made for the huge scope examination of the
new coronavirus by utilizing Oxford Nanopore's MinION lab equipment, which is the main
compact, real time instrument that is able to conduct DNA and RNA sequencing investigation of
all the samples gathered from all patients with positive COVID-19 tests, and aim behind this is
to get better insight about how virus transmit and evolute.
Nanopore devise gives us fast sequencing of whole genome of the virus within just 7 hours, on
the portable MinION devise or desktop GridION devices.
3: Inhalable Nanoparticle-based Vaccine: Scott Medina,an assistant professor in biomedical
research is making research on a DNA-based, nanoparticle aerosol immunization for SARS-
CoV-2, the potential virus that causes COVID-19 diseasE. However, DNA based vaccines are
not applicable worlwide because of their rapid degradation by tissue enzymes and small intake
by cells. More effective synthesis of synthethic nanoparticles is the only solution to this problem.
Medina said that We try to build up a
nanoparticle that are able to improve the
delivery of inhaleable DNA-based
vaccines," Medina said. "Once within the
lungs, the nanoparticles target, and are
disguised by, immune cells of respiratory
track. Then these immune cells at that point
procedure the DNA and convert it into a
viral protein, which have the potential to
stimulate the immune cells to recognize the
viral protein and kill.
There are also many other contribuations takes place in developing DNA-based vaccine to beat
COVID-19 pendemic, such as University of Waterloo Formulates DNA-based COVID-19
Vaccine Deliverable by Nasal Spray, Entos Pharmaceuticals Extends Its Fusogenix
Nanomedicine Platform to a Vaccine Against COVID-19 etc.[5].

4: Functionalized 2d Nano-Graphene Oxide Against Corona Virus Outbreak:

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Bioinspired union offers potential green techniques to fabricate profoundly mind boggling with
highly complex nature nanomaterials by using the extraordinary nanostructures, capacities, and
properties of biomolecules, in which the biomolecular acknowledgment and self- assembly of
particles together play significant role in the manufacturing and utilization of advanced
bioinspired nanomaterials.
Graphene oxide (GO) can proficiently catch infections, kill their surface proteins, and have the
potential to make extractions of viral RNA in a fluid domain by bio-reduction of GO. That’s why
GO is a brilliant nanomaterial for the high-throughput discovery and purification of infections.
Due to unique physiochemical, and biological properties huge researches have been made on
graphene in interdisciplinary applications.
2D nanomaterials could destroyed structure and cause cytotoxic impacts cells, which
extraordinarily challenges their promising biomedical applications including biosensing,
bioimaging, and delivery of drugs[8]. 2D materials can precisely embed into cell layers and
concentrate lipids out, in this way leads to the destruction of ntegrity of cell. From one
perspective, the cytotoxicity of 2D materials can be tackled in surface designing to oppose
biofouling, and on the other hand, it causes incredible worry with In vivo biomedical
applications running from delivery of drugs to nano-imag.
Contributions of
Graphene:
 Recent studies
reveals that
synthethic
sulfonated
magnetic
nanoparticles co-
ordinate with
reduced graphene
oxide (SMRGO)
and built potential
to capture and
destroy with photo-thermal action in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

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  In another remarkable contribution, we come to know that the mechanism of adsorption
have been made by single molecule fluorescence of single-stranded oligonucleotides and
the hybridization of double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) on a graphene oxide surface.
 Polysulfated based nanomaterials are of great interest for their potential to mimic
extracellular cell matrix and also to regulate cellular responses by binding to and
neutralizing pathogens. However, to get control over the active functional groups density
on such biomimetic is necessary for better interactions, is still a challenge.
 In this way, it is of great interest in scientific community in order to fight against
COVID-19. [6].
5: Facing the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) with Combination of Nanomaterials and Medicine:
Possible Strategies:
Significant NPs revealed for acting against respiratory infections are classified into three classes;

a) Polymeric NPs:
They have energizing properties, for example, tunable properties, plausible
manufactured conventions, and great biocompatibility, which makes them intriguing contender
for biomedical applications. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic corrosive) (PLGA) is one of the notable
individual from this class which is affirmed by FDA for application in human body. This is
because of the brilliant biocompatibility and biodegradability in the human body . Some other

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examples involve chitosan, and N-(2-hydroxypropyl) , (HPMA/NIPAM) which demonstrated
promising outcomes as intranasal antibodies against respiratory infections.
b) Self-amassing proteins NPs:
These are set up through the oligomerization of monomeric proteins, which were
discovered appropriate for biomedical applications.
c) Inorganic NPs:
Extensive writing is accessible with respect to the natural impacts of inorganic NPs,
for example, metal oxide NPs, which demonstrated great outcomes in antibacterial and
antifungal examinations . Highlights, for example, simple amalgamation, biocompatibility, and
optical properties make them appropriate for natural applications. Be that as it may, inorganic
NPs that show great activity against respiratory infections are rare and should be researched
altogether with earnest consideration.

d) Peptide-based NPs:
Earlier investigations have indicated utilizations of peptide inhibitors (short-sequenced)
and changes of amino acids might act against the diseases related with SARS-CoV . As detailed,
a peptide-based antibody which could communicate HRC, trimeric curl adaptation stage, could
go about as a perfect helpful methodology for the intercession of SARS-CoV related
contaminations, and this methodology is set up through peptide-based NPs [98]. In another
investigation, an antibody moiety, P6HRC1, was accomplished by restricting a peptide ligand
with a B-cell epitope from the SARS-B HRC1 spike protein and self-aggregated through dialysis
in nearness of refolding support. Results demonstrated that the analysts had the option to produce
the imperative adaptation explicit antibodies which conceivably killed the SARS-CoV diseases
by means of NPs-based frameworks [99]. Lately, analysts are simultaneously taking a shot at the
foundation of potential peptide-put together methodologies with respect to the premise of starter
atomic elements reenactment examines. In an ongoing report, a peptide inhibitor disengaged
from ACE2 gave critical follows to the obstructing of SARS-CoV-2. Besides, it was accounted
for that the coupling viability can be expanded through numerous authoritative of nanocarrier-
connected peptides. [7].

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Reference:
1: On Facing the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) with Combination of Nanomaterials and
Medicine: Possible Strategies and First Challenges. Accepted: 25 April 2020 /
Published: 28 April 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10050852.
2: A Quiet War:Using Biomimicry in the Time of Coronavirus
by Christa Avampato | Mar 30, 2020 | Blog.
3: Nanotechnology could aid in Covid-19 fight
Particles of similar sizes could attach to SARS-CoV-2 viruses, disrupting their
structure, scientists say By DAVE MAKICHUK APRIL 17, 2020.
4: Mineral Nanocrystal-based Coating Activated by Light Kills Coronavirus, 2020-04-
20.
5: Nanotechnology in Battle Against Coronavirus | STATNANO
6: ACTA SCIENTIFIC MICROBIOLOGY (ISSN: 2581-3226)
Volume 3 Issue 4 April 2020.
7: On Facing the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) with Combination of Nanomaterials and
Medicine: Possible Strategies and First Challenges. Accepted: 25 April 2020 /
Published: 28 April 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10050852.

______________________________End___________________________________

Submitted to: Dr.M.Shahid.

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