Biophysical modelling of virus-cell entry

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20633
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0701:Biology at molecular to cellular levels, and related fields
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Hall Damien 金沢大学, ナノ生命科学研究所, 特任助教 (50447950)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: virus / cell membrane / virus entry / colloidal adsorption / computer modelling

Outline of Final Research Achievements

On the computational side two computer models were developed, and on the experimental side a VLP/MLS assay was established based on optical microscope visualization of metal colloid adsorption to a chemically coated gold glass surface. These results are currently being written up. The funds from this start-up project were acknowledged in the following published or submitted manuscript manuscripts using the following appropriation, ‘This work was supported, in part, by KAKENHI Start-Up grant 21K20633 awarded to D.H.’ (i) Hall, D. and Foster, A.S. (2022) Practical considerations for feature assignment in high-speed AFM of live cell membranes. Biophysics and Physicobiology, 19, p.e190016. https://doi.org/10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v19.0016 (ii) Hall, D. (2023) MIL Cell: A tool for multi-scale simulation of yeast replication and prion transmission. BioRxiv, pp.2023-03. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.03.21.533288

Free Research Field

biophysics/biochemistry

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This work potentially serves society by, 1. It provides greater knowledge about the colloidal forces experienced by a virus at the cell membrane. 2. It brings ideas ideas from two scientific disciplines together (virology and colloidal science). 3. It highlights new avenues for pharmacotherapy.