Antioxidants render silicone elastomer surfaces antiviral

Viruses are susceptible to antioxidants. COVID-19, to which the grant is directed, is also affected by surface active species, like soap. These two vulnerabilities of the virus will be combined to create silicone coatings that will render relevant surfaces anti-viral (e.g., doorknobs, facemasks and shields). Antioxidants will be modified with entities that allow them to be dispersed in silicone elastomers, from which they can be released, or to which they are chemically tethered. In either case, the surface active and antioxidant active ingredients will present at the interface, leading to COVID-19 death on contact. The research project involves small molecule and polymer synthesis, physical characterization, and biological assessment using, initially, a safe virus bacteriophage as a surrogate for COVID-19. Our partner, Siltech, is a world leader in surface active silicones. They will scale up and test promising surface formulations. 1 PDF will be involved in the project.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Brook

Student:

Akop Yepremyen

Partner:

Siltech

Discipline:

Biochemistry / Molecular biology

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

McMaster University