Researchers
have developed a process for creating ultrathin, self-assembling sheets of
synthetic materials that can function like designer flypaper in selectively
binding with viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.
The
sheets were designed to present simple sugars in a patterned way along their
surfaces, and these sugars, in turn, were demonstrated to selectively bind with
several proteins, including one associated with the Shiga toxin, which causes
dysentery. Because the outside of our cells are flat and covered with sugars,
these 2-D nanosheets can effectively mimic cell surfaces.
The
nanosheets could also potentially be used in environmental cleanups to
neutralize specific toxins and pathogens, and the sheets could potentially be
scaled to target viruses like Ebola and bacteria like E. coli, and other
pathogens.
In
the latest study, the researchers confirmed that the bindings with the targeted
proteins were successful by embedding a fluorescent dye in the sheets and
attaching another fluorescent dye on the target proteins. A color change
indicated that a protein was bound to the nanosheet.
The
intensity of this color change can also guide researchers to improve them, and
to discover new nanosheets that could target specific pathogens.
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle