Nanotechnology-based strategies against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Xiangang Huang, Edo Kon, Xuexiang Han, Xingcai Zhang, Na Kong, Michael J. Mitchell, Dan Peer, Wei Tao

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has already infected more than 500 million people globally (as of May 2022), creating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Nanotechnology has played a pivotal role in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 in various aspects, with the successful development of the two highly effective nanotechnology-based messenger RNA vaccines being the most profound. Despite the remarkable efficacy of mRNA vaccines against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, hopes for quickly ending this pandemic have been dampened by the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, which have brought several new pandemic waves. Thus, novel strategies should be proposed to tackle the crisis presented by existing and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we discuss the SARS-CoV-2 variants from biological and immunological perspectives, and the rational design and development of novel and potential nanotechnology-based strategies to combat existing and possible future SARS-CoV-2 variants. The lessons learnt and design strategies developed from this battle against SARS-CoV-2 variants could also inspire innovation in the development of nanotechnology-based strategies for tackling other global infectious diseases and their future variants.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1027-1037
Number of pages11
JournalNature Nanotechnology
Volume17
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19/prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Nanotechnology
  • Pandemics/prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2/genetics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Bioengineering
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Materials Science(all)
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Biomedical Engineering

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