Summary: Cornell University researchers have developed a bioelectric device using biomembranes on microchips to detect and classify harmful variants of coronavirus swiftly, providing insights into infection mechanics and aiding in vaccine development.
Takeaways:
- Innovative Bioelectric Device: The device mimics cellular environments to replicate infection processes, allowing rapid characterization of virus variants without the complexity of living systems.
- Potential for Multiple Viruses: Beyond COVID-19, the platform’s adaptable nature suggests it could be customized to detect and study other viruses like influenza and measles by recreating specific infection triggers.
- Speed and Precision: The device offers quick classification of variants by monitoring how effectively they release their genome, aiding in timely public health decisions and potentially informing vaccine adjustments.
Cornell University researchers have developed a bioelectric device that can detect and classify new variants of coronavirus to identify those that are most harmful. It has the potential to do the same with other viruses, as well.
The sensing tool uses a cell membrane, aka biomembrane, on a microchip that recreates the cellular environment for – and the biological steps of – infection. This enables researchers to quickly characterize variants of concern and parse the mechanics that drive the disease’s spread, without getting bogged down by the complexity of living systems.
“In the news, we see these variants of concern emerge periodically, like delta, omicron and so on, and it kind of freaks everyone out. The first thoughts are, ‘Does my vaccine cover this new variant? How concerned should I be?’” says Susan Daniel, PhD,professor of chemical engineering, and senior author of the paper published in Nature Communications. “It takes a little while to determine if a variant is a true cause for concern or if it will just it fizzle out.”
While plenty of biological elements have been put on microchips, from cells to organelles and organ-like structures, the new bioelectric device differs from those devices because it actually recapitulates the biological cues and processes that lead to the initiation of an infection at the cellular membrane of a single cell. In effect, it fools a variant into behaving as if it is in an actual cellular system of its potential host.
“There could potentially be a correlation between how well a variant can deliver its genome across the biomembrane layer and how concerning that variant can be in terms of its ability to infect humans,” Daniel said. “If it’s able to release its genome very effectively, perhaps that’s an indicator that a variant of concern should be something we should monitor closely or formulate a new vaccine that includes it. If it doesn’t release it very well, then maybe that variant of concern is something less worrisome. The key point is we need to classify these variants quickly so we can make informed decisions, and we can do this really fast with our devices. These assays take minutes to run, and it’s ‘label-free,’ meaning you don’t actually have to tag the virus to monitor its progress.”
Bioelectric Device Recreates Biological Conditions
Because the researchers are able to faithfully recreate the biological conditions and cues that activate a virus, they can also change those cues and see how the virus responds.
“In terms of understanding the basic science of how infection occurs and what cues can assist or hinder it, this is a unique tool,” Daniel said. “Because you can decouple many aspects of the reaction sequence, and identify what factors promote or impede infection.”
Tailored Platform
The bioelectric device can be tailored for other viruses, such as influenza and measles, so long as the researchers know what cell type has the propensity to be infected, as well as what biological idiosyncrasies allow a specific infection to flourish. For example, influenza requires a pH drop to trigger its hemagglutinin, and coronavirus has an enzyme that activates its spike protein.
“Every virus has its own way of doing things. And you need to know what they are to replicate that infection process on chip,” Daniel said. “But once you know them, you can build the platform out to accommodate any of those specific conditions.”