The COronaVIrus Disease (COVID-19) is a newly emerging viral disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide led the WHO to declare a pandemic within a few months after the first case of infection. Due to the lack of a prophylactic measure to control the virus infection and spread, early diagnosis and quarantining of infected as well as the asymptomatic individuals are necessary for the containment of this pandemic. However, the current methods for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis are expensive and time consuming, although some promising and inexpensive technologies are becoming available for emergency use. In this work, we report the synthesis of a cheap, yet highly sensitive, cobalt-functionalized TiO₂ nanotubes (Co-TNTs)-based electrochemical sensor for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 through sensing the spike (receptor binding domain (RBD)) present on the surface of the virus. A simple, low-cost, and one-step electrochemical anodization route was used for synthesizing TNTs, followed by an incipient wetting method for cobalt functionalization of the TNTs platform, which was connected to a potentiostat for data collection. This sensor specifically detected the S-RBD protein of SARS-CoV-2 even at very low concentration (range of 14 to 1400 nM (nano molar)). Additionally, our sensor showed a linear response in the detection of viral protein over the concentration range. Thus, our Co-TNT sensor is highly effective in detecting SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein in approximately 30 s, which can be explored for developing a point of care diagnostics for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasal secretions and saliva samples.

The newly identified pathogenic human coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, led to an atypical pneumonia-like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak called coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated as COVID-19). Currently, nearly 77 million cases have been confirmed worldwide with the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases in the United States. Individuals are getting vaccinated with recently approved vaccines, which are highly protective in suppressing COVID-19 symptoms but there will be a long way before the majority of individuals get vaccinated. In the meantime, safety precautions and effective disease control strategies appear to be vital for preventing the virus spread in public places. Due to the longevity of the virus on smooth surfaces, photocatalytic properties of “self-disinfecting/cleaning” surfaces appear to be a promising tool to help guide disinfection policies for controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread in high-traffic areas such as hospitals, grocery stores, airports, schools, and stadiums. Here, we explored the photocatalytic properties of nanosized TiO₂ (TNPs) as induced by the UV radiation, towards virus deactivation. Our preliminary results using a close genetic relative of SAR-CoV-2, HCoV-NL63, showed the virucidal efficacy of photoactive TNPs deposited on glass coverslips, as examined by quantitative RT-qPCR and virus infectivity assays. Efforts to extrapolate the underlying concepts described in this study to SARS-CoV-2 are currently underway.

The COronaVIrus Disease (COVID-19) is a newly emerging viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide led the WHO declare pandemic within a few month after the first case of infection. Due to the lack of a prophylactic measure to control the virus infection and spread, early diagnosis and quarantining of infected as well as the asymptomatic individuals are necessary for the containment of this pandemic. However, the current methods for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis are expensive and time consuming although some promising and inexpensive technologies are coming out for emergency use. In this work, we report the synthesis of a cheap yet highly sensitive cobalt-functionalized TiO ₂ nanotubes (Co-TNTs)-based electrochemical biosensor and its efficacy for rapid detection of spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 by examining S-RBD protein as the reference material. A simple, low-cost, and one-step electrochemical anodization route was used to synthesize TNTs, followed by an incipient wetting method for cobalt functionalization of the TNTs platform, which is connected to a potentiostat for data collection. This sensor specifically detected the S-RBD protein of SARS-CoV-2 even at very low concentration (range of 14 nM to 1400 nM). Additionally, our sensor showed a linear response in the detection of viral protein with concentration range. In summary, our Co-TNT sensor is highly effective in detecting SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD protein in approximately 30 seconds, which can be explored for developing a point of care diagnostics for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasal secretions and saliva samples. AUTHOR SUMMARY: SARS-COV-2 is currently a global pandemic on a scale that has not been experienced since the Spanish flu of 1918. One of the reasons why this pandemic virus has spread so quickly is because many infected individuals with SARS-CoV-2 remain asymptomatic and involuntarily transmit the virus before they come down with the symptoms. Therefore, uniform surveillance and quarantining of infected as well as the asymptomatic individuals could provide an effective measure to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, the current methods for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis are expensive and time consuming although some inexpensive technologies are getting approvals for emergency use. Our manuscript reports the synthesis of a cheap yet highly sensitive cobalt-functionalized TiO ₂ nanotubes (Co-TNTs)-based electrochemical biosensor for rapid detection of spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. Our sensor is synthesized through one-step electrochemical anodization route, followed by an incipient wetting method for cobalt functionalization of TNTs platform. The readout of this sensor is an electrochemical signal collected through a potentiostat, which can be adopted for use through smartphone applications and the development of a point of care diagnostics for COVID-19.

The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 was reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Pertaining to its high transmissibility and wide host adaptability, this unique human coronavirus spread across the planet inflicting 115 million people and causing 2.5 million deaths (as of March 3rd, 2021). Limited or negligible pre-existing immunity to multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants has resulted in severe morbidity and mortality worldwide, as well as a record-breaking surge in the use of medical-surgical supplies and personal protective equipment. In response to the global need for effective sterilization techniques, this study evaluated the virucidal efficacy of FATHHOME’s self-contained, ozone-based dry-sanitizing device, by dose and time response assessment. We tested inactivation of human coronavirus, HCoV-OC43, a close genetic model of SARS-CoV-2, on porous (N95 filtering facepiece respirator/FFR) and nonporous (glass) surfaces. We started our assays with 20 ppm-10 min ozone exposure, and effectively reduced 99.8% and 99.9% of virus from glass and N95 FFR surfaces, respectively. Importantly, the virus was completely inactivated, below the detection limit (over 6-log₁₀ reduction) with 25 ppm-15 min ozone exposure on both tested surfaces. As expected, a higher ozone exposure (50 ppm-10 min) resulted in faster inactivation of HCoV-OC43 with 100% inactivation from both the surfaces, with no residual ozone present after completion of the 5-min post exposure recapture cycle and no measurable increase in ambient ozone levels. These results confirmed that FATHHOME’s device is suitable for rapid decontamination of SARS-CoV-2- from worn items, frequently touched items, and PPE including N95 FFRs, face shields, and other personal items.

The newly identified pathogenic human coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, led to an atypical pneumonia-like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak called co rona vi rus d isease 2019 (COVID-19). Currently, nearly 23 million cases have been confirmed worldwide with the highest COVID-19 cases been confirmed in the United States. As there is no vaccine or any effective interventions, massive efforts to create a postential vaccine to combat COVID-19 is underway. In the meantime, safety precautions and effective disease control strategies appear to be vital for preventing the virus spread in the public places. Due to the longevity of the virus on smooth surfaces, photocatalytic properties of self-disinfecting/cleaning surfaces appear to be a promising tool to help guide disinfection policies to control infectious SAR-CoV-2 spread in high-traffic areas such as hospitals, grocery stores, airports, schools, and stadiums. Here, we explored the photocatalytic properties of nanosized TiO ₂ (TNPs) as induced by the UV radiation, towards virus deactivation. Our preliminary results using close genetic relative of SAR-CoV-2, HCoV-NL63, showed the virucidal efficacy of photoactive TNPs deposited on glass coverslips, as examined by quantitative RT-PCR and virus culture assays. Efforts to extrapolate the underlying concepts described in this study to SARS-CoV-2 are currently underway.

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) causes multiple malignancies in immunocompromised individuals. KSHV primarily establishes a lifelong latency in infected humans during which only a subset of viral genes is expressed while most of the viral genome remains transcriptionally silent with condensed chromatin. However, during the lytic phase, the viral genome undergoes dramatic changes in chromatin landscape leading to a transcriptionally active state with the expression of most of the viral genes and production of progeny virions. Multiple cellular and viral factors influence the epigenetic gene regulation and transitioning of virus from latency to the lytic state. We have earlier shown that KSHV ORF59, viral processivity factor, binds to a protein arginine methyl transferase 5 (PRMT5) to alter the histone arginine methylation during reactivation. Additionally, ORF59 has been shown to interact with most abundantly expressed KSHV long noncoding polyadenylated nuclear RNA (PAN RNA), which associates with the viral epigenome during reactivation. Interestingly, PAN RNA interacts with UTX and JMJD3, cellular H3K27me3 demethylases, and removes the repressive marks on the chromatin. In this study, we report that the recruitment of histone demethylases to the viral chromatin is facilitated by the expression of ORF59 protein and PAN RNA. Using biochemical and localization assays including co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence, we demonstate ORF59 localizes with UTX and JMJD3. Our results confirm that PAN RNA enhances the interaction of ORF59 with the chromatin modifying enzymes UTX and JMJD3.