Bifunctional Mucoadhesive Peptide for Respiratory Virus Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of new antiviral drugs is challenging due to complex chemistry and the emergence of resistance, and prophylactic treatments for viral infections are lacking, especially for pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses.
Innovation Solution
A bifunctional peptide with a virus binding moiety and a mucin binding moiety, covalently linked, is designed to target and trap viral pathogens in respiratory mucus, enhancing the natural antiviral properties of mucus and preventing infection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate applications of mucoadhesive agents and virus-binding agents are used, then both functions can be achieved, but the number of steps and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate functional agents (mucoadhesive agent and virus-binding agent) into a single bifunctional peptide molecule. The first amino acid sequence provides mucoadhesive properties while the second amino acid sequence provides virus-binding capability, allowing both functions to be achieved through one agent rather than requiring separate applications of multiple agents.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional deodorants and antiperspirants are used, then odor control and sweat reduction are achieved, but they do not address viral transmission through sweat
Solution Approach 1:
The bifunctional peptide is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mucoadhesion to bind to mucosal surfaces, binds to viruses to prevent infection, and controls odor through its functional groups. This multi-functional design allows a single agent to address odor control, virus protection, and potentially sweat reduction, making it adaptable to multiple health needs beyond what conventional single-function products provide.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The peptide effectively strengthens the mucus barrier by trapping viruses, reducing infection risk and transmission, and can be used prophylactically or therapeutically to minimize disease severity.
Implementation Method 1
The first amino acid sequence of the bifunctional peptide has mucoadhesive properties
Implementation Method 2
The second amino acid sequence of the bifunctional peptide binds to a viral spike protein
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bifunctional peptide comprising a virus binding moiety (2) and a mucin binding moiety (1) covalently bound to the virus binding moiety (2). The virus binding moiety is chosen from peptides binding to SARS-CoV-2, to influenza A, to influenza B, to rhinoviruses and other enteroviruses, to human parainfluenza virus, and/or to metapneuvirus. The mucin binding moiety is chosen from lectins such as trefoil factor 3.