Virus-surface Interactions In Dynamic Environments (V-SIDE)

Since the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing body of scientific literature has reported on the pre-infection viability and stability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, qualitatively indicating the role of physical surfaces in transmission of the virus. The nature of the surfaces (e.g., paper, plastics, glass, or metals) and their properties (smooth v/s rough), are believed to play a critical role in determining the viability during the pre-infection phase. Virus-surface interactions are inherently physical in nature wherein dynamics of the environmental parameters (variations in temperature or humidity over time) could underpin the viral viability. Here, using non-pathogenic mutant of SARS-CoV-2 virus as our model organism, we will uncover key physical parameters that underpin viability of SARS-CoV-2 species on a range of commonly used surfaces. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for S proteins, the material forming 'spikes' of the coronavirus will be used to test the surface-specific viability, and complemented by flow virometry and high resolution visualization of the chosen material surfaces (using AFM, SEM and fluorescence imaging), providing quantitative estimation of viral viability. Crucially, time series analysis of viability and concomitant changes in the chemical signature of the material surfaces (FTIR method), will give us unprecedented insights into the mechanistic underpinnings of surface-specific viability of coronavirus, under steady state and dynamic changes in temperature and humidity parameters. The data obtained from this three-pronged approach will be used to biophysically model the system, with a long-term goal of incorporating machine learning methods to identify surface-specific viabilities of virus species. In summary, by revealing the fundamental biophysics of virus-surface interactions, V-SIDE will be in a robust position to develop an integrative mechanistic framework for SARS-Cov-2 viability on various material surfaces. V-SIDE benefits from an active follow up strategy, wherein the overarching goal will be to develop generic recipes for tailoring anti-viral surfaces in a scalable and facile manner, equipping us ultimately to better tackle the recurring incidence of novel viral pandemics.