The NANOVIR project will contribute to increasing the participation of Slovak research institutions in international research projects aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting bilateral international scientific cooperation with Aix-Marseille University, France. The subject of the project is to solve diagnostic and therapeutic problems of COVID-19 using magnetic nanoparticles. The project deals with the preparation, development and debugging of magnetic nanoparticle properties for a more effective isolation of viral RNA from the ballast of a complex clinical specimen. Magnetic nanoparticles will be surface and structurally modified to achieve better separation efficiency. The quality of prepared nanoparticles will be verified by isolation of viral RNA for the detection of various RNA viruses by RT-qPCR. At the same time, a procedure will be developed to control the quality of collected swabs using cellular DNA isolation and detection in a sample with PCR evidence of cellular gene. The second research activity of the NANOVIR project is to look at the COVID-19 pandemic from a therapeutic point of view, when core-shell magnetic nanoparticles coated with SiO2 porous particles will be used as carriers of the antivirals Remdesivir, Favipiravir or Pacritinib and the impact of such systems with prolonged effect on cell binding and metabolic activity in both in vitro and in vivo environments will be monitored. The project is designed in cooperation of partner research institutions of the applicant, UPJŠ and partners, UVLF and IEF SAS in the territory of Košice Self-Governing Region (KSK) and will contribute to the creation of consortia for solving multidisciplinary problems between priority areas and to the development of existing university science parks and research centers at UPJŠ, UVLF and IEF SAS in connection with the priorities of RIS3 SK. The project foresees the expansion of research and innovation infrastructure and capacities for the development of excellent science and contribution to economic growth in the RIS3 specialisation Population Health and Health Technology.
