Biophysical Aspects of Interactions at the Bionanointerface between Viruses and Metal and Metal Oxide Nanomaterials

Abstract

Viruses are at the threshold of living and nonliving entities. Virus particles exhibit life-activities when are within their respective hosts and act as non-living when present outside their hosts. This feature is very interesting and the related investigations can help to understand the differences between the functionalities at bionanointerfaces under living and nonliving phases. Metal and metal oxide nanomaterials occur naturally and are synthesized as per the need to meet the set targets. These nanosized materials have specific physicochemical properties such as high volume to area ratio, ability to get functionalized as per the need. These ubiquitous materials have multifaceted applications in almost all fields of sciences, industries, medical, clinical diagnostics, and remedial operations; these occupy an omnipresent status in our day to day life. Since these nanomaterials are a major integral part of industries and human life; these interact with the abiotic and biotic components of the environment. Viruses are the active entities of both these aspects of our environment. The interactions between metal and metal oxide nanomaterials and viruses are obvious and complex interactive phenomena. These complex interactions take place between nanomaterials and viruses within their respective hosts. The profiling of such interactions helps to optimize the resultant impacts and enhances the degree of de novo designing, in vivo, and in vitro performances.