Adsorption of proteins on TiO2 particles influences their aggregation and cell penetration

Effect of an innovative sorbent material coupled to continuous flow process in the protein and oxidative stability of white wines

In this work the impact of an innovative protein stabilization method (TiO2-based composite sorbent material coupled with a prototype device operating under continuous flow) has been tested in terms of protein and oxidative stability of white wines. Optimal process parameters (duration 60 min; flow rate 1.5 ± 0.1 L/h in 6 cycle rates/h) ensured an average 32.5 % reduction of total proteins; the nanoporous TiO2 film supported on inert glass beads acted as selective sorbent for pathogenesis-related proteins (PRPs, 10-60 kDa) responsible for wine instability, based on the protein stability studies (heat-test) performed in the experimental wines. The stabilization process has been tested for the release of contaminants (Ti), and the innovative treatment has been proven to preserve wine from oxidation also delaying the browning onset under extreme storage conditions.

Specific intracellular signature of SARS-CoV-2 infection using confocal Raman microscopy

SARS-CoV-2 infection remains spread worldwide and requires a better understanding of virus-host interactions. Here, we analyzed biochemical modifications due to SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells by confocal Raman microscopy. Obtained results were compared with the infection with another RNA virus, the measles virus. Our results have demonstrated a virus-specific Raman molecular signature, reflecting intracellular modification during each infection. Advanced data analysis has been used to distinguish non-infected versus infected cells for two RNA viruses. Further, classification between non-infected and SARS-CoV-2 and measles virus-infected cells yielded an accuracy of 98.9 and 97.2 respectively, with a significant increase of the essential amino-acid tryptophan in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. These results present proof of concept for the application of Raman spectroscopy to study virus-host interaction and to identify factors that contribute to the efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection and may thus provide novel insights on viral pathogenesis, targets of therapeutic intervention and development of new COVID-19 biomarkers.