First name
Marco
Last name
D'Alicarnasso
Year of Study
Research Center
THESIS PROJECT
SURFACE FUNCTIONALIZED GOLD NANOPARTICLES AS ATTACHMENT INHIBITORS FOR HEPARAN SULFATE-BINDING VIRUSES
Thesis Abstract
Infectious diseases account for one fifth of global mortality. Although many efforts have been
made to prevent and treat specific viral diseases (e.g. hepatitis B, AIDS) with vaccines and
drugs, we still lack effective and biocompatible broad-spectrum antiviral agents, especially
against re-emerging (e.g. Dengue virus) and newly emerging viruses (e.g. Ebola virus). Current
advances in nanotechnology opened new frontiers in developing novel antivirals that can
interact and inactivate a large number of viral pathogens. Nanoparticles (NPs) – particles in the
size range 1-100 nm – can be finely engineered on their surface to interfere with key events of
infections shared by many viruses, above all the attachment to the host cell. The aim of the
present work is to assess the role of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) capped with sulfonate
molecules as potential inhibitors toward human viruses binding sulfated polysaccharides on
the cell membrane. Results showed that sulfonated NPs have powerful antiviral as well as
virucidal activity. Their applications may lead to substantial improvements in virus-spread
control not only as novel wide-spectrum therapeutic agents but most importantly as novel
active materials to be employed in emergency situations, for example in personal protective
equipment, waste management, virus containment.
made to prevent and treat specific viral diseases (e.g. hepatitis B, AIDS) with vaccines and
drugs, we still lack effective and biocompatible broad-spectrum antiviral agents, especially
against re-emerging (e.g. Dengue virus) and newly emerging viruses (e.g. Ebola virus). Current
advances in nanotechnology opened new frontiers in developing novel antivirals that can
interact and inactivate a large number of viral pathogens. Nanoparticles (NPs) – particles in the
size range 1-100 nm – can be finely engineered on their surface to interfere with key events of
infections shared by many viruses, above all the attachment to the host cell. The aim of the
present work is to assess the role of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) capped with sulfonate
molecules as potential inhibitors toward human viruses binding sulfated polysaccharides on
the cell membrane. Results showed that sulfonated NPs have powerful antiviral as well as
virucidal activity. Their applications may lead to substantial improvements in virus-spread
control not only as novel wide-spectrum therapeutic agents but most importantly as novel
active materials to be employed in emergency situations, for example in personal protective
equipment, waste management, virus containment.
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