Antiviral Personal Protective Equipment
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Mech, Materials & Aerospace Engineering
Abstract
Coronaviruses are transmitted from an infectious individual through large respiratory droplets generated by
coughing, sneezing or speaking. These infectious droplets are then transmitted to the mucosal surfaces of a recipient through inhalation of the aerosol or by contact with contaminated fomites such as surfaces or other objects. In healthcare settings, personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a crucial role in interrupting the transmission of highly communicable diseases such as COVID19 from patients to healthcare workers (HCWs). However, research has shown that PPE can also act as a fomite during the donning and doffing process as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can survive on these surfaces for up to three days. This creates a need for more effective PPE materials that can provide antiviral protection. In this proposal we aim to develop a dual action antiviral/antifouling coating to lower the risk of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 to HCWs from COVID19 patients. This project will deliver antiviral/antifouling coatings that can be readily applied to PPE surfaces such as faceshields that are likely to encounter a high level of viral load and would be of great benefit to the health of clinical staff. Furthermore, this project has embedded into its planning a rapid pathway for optimisation, translation, and upscaling of manufacture to deliver a low-cost technology within a short timescale.
coughing, sneezing or speaking. These infectious droplets are then transmitted to the mucosal surfaces of a recipient through inhalation of the aerosol or by contact with contaminated fomites such as surfaces or other objects. In healthcare settings, personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a crucial role in interrupting the transmission of highly communicable diseases such as COVID19 from patients to healthcare workers (HCWs). However, research has shown that PPE can also act as a fomite during the donning and doffing process as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can survive on these surfaces for up to three days. This creates a need for more effective PPE materials that can provide antiviral protection. In this proposal we aim to develop a dual action antiviral/antifouling coating to lower the risk of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 to HCWs from COVID19 patients. This project will deliver antiviral/antifouling coatings that can be readily applied to PPE surfaces such as faceshields that are likely to encounter a high level of viral load and would be of great benefit to the health of clinical staff. Furthermore, this project has embedded into its planning a rapid pathway for optimisation, translation, and upscaling of manufacture to deliver a low-cost technology within a short timescale.
Publications
Casas-Sanchez A
(2021)
Protein N -glycosylation is essential for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Quek S
(2022)
Wolbachia endosymbionts in two Anopheles species indicates independent acquisitions and lack of prophage elements.
in Microbial genomics
Smith SL
(2021)
SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in Dogs and Cats in the United Kingdom.
in bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
| Description | We have investigated two different antiviral donors which have been immobilised on surfaces and investigated as a liquid formulation. These have shown up to significant activity against skin and respiratory pathogens including MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These materials and liquid formulations have also been tested against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Alpha, Delta and Omicron variant). Our liquid formulation has demonstrated a significant reduction of the virus over a 4 hour time period. We are currently undertaking a time course study to investigate how short a time period is required to reduce the viral load significantly. We have developed surfaces that are able to target the delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 variant in 10 min. |
| Exploitation Route | We have been able to secure a £1.3 M follow up EPSRC grant to develop antiviral therapeutics for COVID and respiratory infections. The grant is entitled TRIAL: Treatment of Respiratory Infections with inhaled AntimicrobiaLs and is a partnership between University of Liverpool, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Aerogen and Aintree Hospital Trust. |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | EPSRC Engineering in Net Zero UKRI Panel Member |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| URL | https://www.ukri.org/events/epsrc-engineering-net-zero-showcase/ |
| Description | BBSRC International Partnership Award |
| Amount | £10,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 07/2023 |
| Description | EPSRC DTA |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/R513271/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2020 |
| End | 04/2024 |
| Description | Healthcare technologies investigator-led grant |
| Amount | £1,328,586 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/W016389/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2022 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Description | Aerogen |
| Organisation | Aerogen |
| Country | Ireland |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We have developed antiviral material through current UKRI COVID19 Rapid Response funding. With this new collaboration we would like to develop this technology for an inhaled therapeutic application. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Aerogen are a world leading medical device company specialising in Respiratory Drug Delivery. They will be an active collaborator on this project and will provide the vibrating mesh nebuliser and carry out testing as appropriate in their state of the art facilities. |
| Impact | Grant will begin April 2022. This is a multidisciplinary consortium that includes the Antimicrobial Biomaterials Group, the Respiratory vaccines and infection immunology Group at LSTM, clinical collaboration from Aintree Hospital trust and industrial collaboration through Aerogen. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | LSTM |
| Organisation | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have developed antiviral material through current UKRI COVID19 Rapid Response funding. With this new collaboration we would like to develop this technology for an inhaled therapeutic application. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Professor Ferreira's group at LSTM have led the Oxford/Astra Zeneca Phase II/III clinical trials for the COVID vaccines and are world leading experts in the development of respiratory vaccines and infection immunology. |
| Impact | We have been able to secure a £1.3 M EPSRC grant entitled TRIAL: Treatment of Respiratory Infections with inhaled AntimicrobiaLs. The grant is a collaboration by Prof. Raechelle D'Sa and Dr. Jenny Hanson at University of Liverpool and Prof. Daniela Ferreira, Dr. Elena Mitsi and Dr. Andrea Collins at LSTM. Dr. Andrea Collins is a clinician who is also associated with Aintree Hospital NHS trust. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine |
| Organisation | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We formed this current partnership as a result of the COVID19 pandemic. Our technology developed through previous EPSRC funding has the potential to be used for antiviral applications and specifically in the current pandemic. We reached out the the Dr. Grant Hughes at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, who have been able to isolate the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Together through this funding we aim to develop antiviral PPE for the fight against the transmission of COVID19, |
| Collaborator Contribution | LSTM have live cultures of the SARS-CoV2 virus in a CL3 laboratory. We are currently developing antiviral coatings that will be tested in their laboratories. |
| Impact | Still ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | University of Toronto |
| Organisation | University of Toronto |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have through our current EPSRC HIP award developed antimicrobial materials that can be applied to PPE for the prevention of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, for maximum efficiency, we need to extend the longevity of these materials an antifouling component also needs to be incorporated. We will combine out technology with that developed in Toronto to develop antiviral/antifouling PPE for the COVID19 pandemic |
| Collaborator Contribution | Professor Michael Thompson has developed antifouling coatings that have shown remarkable ability to prevent protein and bacterial adhesion. This combined with a potent antimicrobial agent has the potential to have a real impact for the prevention of the transmission of COVID19 disease. We are collaboratively developing this coating together. |
| Impact | none yet, grant is still ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Engineer Magazine follow up interview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Engineer magazine did a follow up interview for the funding a year later. This was due to interest in their original press release publicised in 2020. This has sparked interest by industry, clinicians and other academics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://teng.mydigitalpublication.co.uk/publication/?m=63621&i=724235&p=30&ver=html5). |
| Description | Royal Society You Tube video |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Royal Society did a series of media interviews about COVID19 research. This segment focused on the following questions: Can you use sewage to test for #COVID19? Can we make PPE that kills the virus? And what have we learned from the pandemic that could help us tackle other diseases in the future? This gave an insight in to the activity at the Level 3 Containment Lab working on COVID19 research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CioQY-6vohI |
| Description | The Engineer magazine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A news report was published in the Engineer magazine detailing the project. This is an online magazine which garnered interest in the technology from several parties including industry, academics and clinicians. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.theengineer.co.uk/antiviral-coating-ppe-liverpool-university/ |