Amorphous Silica Shell Encapsulates Virus for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virus-based therapeutics face challenges due to thermal instability, requiring refrigeration for storage and transport, which increases costs and limits their use in settings without cold-chain facilities.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the encapsulation of viruses in an amorphous silica shell, directly deposited around the virus surface, using a modified sol-gel process, which enhances thermal stability and allows for dry powder formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If viruses are stored and transported without refrigeration, then storage and transport costs are reduced and accessibility is improved, but the viruses undergo thermal degradation and lose viability
Solution Approach 1:
An amorphous silica shell is introduced as an intermediary protective layer between the virus and the thermal environment. The silica shell directly contacts the virus surface and provides thermal protection, allowing the virus to survive without refrigeration while maintaining viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure consisting of the virus encapsulated within an amorphous silica shell. This composite material combines the biological functionality of the virus with the thermal stability of silica, resolving the contradiction between cost-effective storage and virus viability.
2Reliability
If viruses are refrigerated for storage and transport, then virus viability is maintained, but storage and transport costs increase and cold-chain facilities are required
Solution Approach 1:
The amorphous silica shell serves as a thermal intermediary that protects the virus from heat damage, eliminating the need for refrigeration while maintaining virus viability. This allows storage and transport without cold-chain infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal parameters of the virus system by enclosing it in a silica shell with different thermal properties. The silica shell raises the thermal stability parameter of the virus, allowing it to withstand ambient temperatures without degradation.
3Reliability
If deep-freezing in liquid nitrogen is used for long-term storage, then virus viability is preserved, but storage costs vastly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The amorphous silica shell fundamentally changes the thermal stability parameter of the virus, allowing long-term storage at ambient temperatures instead of requiring deep-freezing. This parameter change eliminates the need for liquid nitrogen storage while preserving virus viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of virus encapsulated in silica provides inherent long-term stability without requiring extreme cold storage. The silica shell protects the virus from degradation over time, enabling cost-effective long-term storage at ambient conditions.
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 silica-encapsulated viruses demonstrate improved thermal stability, remaining viable after heating and long-term storage at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for refrigeration and enhancing their practicality for therapy and storage.
Implementation Method 1
encapsulation of viruses in an amorphous silica shell, directly deposited around the virus surface, using a modified sol-gel process
Implementation Method 2
The silica-encapsulated viruses demonstrate improved thermal stability, remaining viable after heating and long-term storage at ambient temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A particle containing a virus encapsulated in an amorphous silica shell is described, wherein the amorphous silica shell is directly deposited about the surface of the virus. Also described is a method of producing a virus encapsulated in an amorphous silica shell, the method comprising enriching or purifying a virus; suspending the virus in buffer, hydrolysing a silica precursor directly contacting the hydrolysed silica precursor with the surface of the virus in buffer and encapsulating the virus in an amorphous silica shell.