Antiviral mechanism change of poly(styrene sulfonate) through gold nanoparticle coating†

Viruses are pathogens capable of causing serious global health problems and therefore the development of interventions against them is of paramount importance. One strategy towards designing broad-spectrum antivirals is through the mimicking of sulfonated glycopolymers on the cell surface so that the virion/cell interaction is inhibited by the antiviral material. A number of natural and synthetic polymers have been investigated, however, most show a virustatic mechanism, which is reversible and non-destructive. Herein we present a facile route to virucidal materials by attaching a previously known virustatic polymer, poly(styrene sulfonate), onto gold nanoparticles. We show that it is possible to alter the polymer's mode of action whilst maintaining its low IC50 by changing the macromolecular architecture

A bioinspired omniphobic surface coating on medical devices prevents thrombosis and biofouling

Thrombosis and biofouling of extracorporeal circuits and indwelling medical devices cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. We describe a bioinspired coating that repels blood from virtually any material by covalently tethering a molecular layer of perfluorocarbon, which holds a thin liquid film of medical-grade perfluorocarbon on the substrate surface, mimicking the liquid layer certain plants use to prevent adhesion. This coating prevents fibrin attachment, reduces platelet adhesion and activation, suppresses biofilm formation, and is stable under blood flow in vitro. Surface-coated medical-grade tubing and catheters, assembled into arteriovenous shunts and implanted in living pigs, remain patent for at least 8 hours without anticoagulation. This coating technology offers the potential to significantly reduce anticoagulation in patients while preventing thrombotic occlusion and biofouling of medical devices.Engineering and Applied Science