Cold atmospheric plasma for viral decontamination

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a clear need for the efficient decontamination of surfaces and objects of daily use to reduce the transmission of the virus through smear infection. Objects that cannot be decontaminated using liquid disinfectants or heat can present a particular challenge. The availability of alternative approaches is crucial here to containing the epidemic spread of viral or other microbial pathogens. In his international FWF urgent funding project, Thomas Lion (St. Anna Childrens Cancer Research, Vienna; in the picture) together with Vladimir Scholtz (UCT, Prague, Czech Republic) focus on the reuse of highly effective face masks and the decontamination of other sensitive objects with new, safe, and environmentally friendly decontamination technology. Safe and environmentally friendly method of decontamination Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a newly developed method for the decontamination of objects from micro-organisms. Besides its outstanding effectiveness, CAP technology is also affordable, gentle on materials, and safe for people and the environment. Its effectiveness in bacterial disinfection is already well-established. More recent studies have also shown CAPs suitability for efficient virus inactivation, but more data is needed on the optimal conditions for inactivation and related mechanisms. In an international research project funded by the FWF as well as the GACR (Czech Science Foundation), Thomas Lion of St. Anna Childrens Cancer Research in Vienna and Vladimir Scholtz of UCT in Prague, Czech Republic, are adapting CAP technology so that heat or liquid-sensitive objects can be reused after decontamination. The focus of their research is on the reuse of highly effective face masks as well as the decontamination of other sensitive objects. The aim is to investigate the effectiveness of CAP using selected human respiratory viruses with different properties, such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, adenovirus, and rhinovirus. The results of this study will contribute to establishing CAP technology as a safe and affordable alternative to current means of virus decontamination, especially in times of increased demand and scarcity of disinfectants. An understanding of the mechanisms underlying CAP-induced virus inactivation will enable Lion and Scholtz to identify the strengths of the approach and to address any potential weaknesses as the basis for its widespread use.

No additional funding sources recorded.