Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MagnetoVirology (Diamond Magnetometry: A Versatile Tool for Virology and Medicine)
Berichtszeitraum: 2019-07-01 bis 2021-06-30
Free radicals in cells have a very complicated role in viral infections. While some researchers point toward their usefulness in mediating viral infections, others conclude the exact opposite and claim that there are detrimental effects. Their exact role seems to depend on the cell/animal type as well as the type of viruses. However free radicals are difficult to measure for the state of the art since they are short lived and reactive. Here we used diamond magnetometry for the first time to address this issues. This method offers unparalleled sensitivity, resolution, and the possibility of real-time long-duration measurements. More specifically, we used relaxometry which allows detection of radicals in single living cells.
Furthermore, we investigated the potential of diamond magnetometry in clinical diagnostics and drug development by demonstrating the FR detection in synovial fluid of arthritis patients. These measurements laid the ground stone for further studies to exploit this new technique to further understand viral infection as well as in the clinic.
Furthermore, we investigated the potential of diamond magnetometry in clinical diagnostics and drug development by demonstrating the FR detection in synovial fluid of arthritis patients. These measurements laid the ground stone for further studies to exploit this new technique to further understand viral infection as well as in the clinic.
The aim of the project was to demonstrate that diamond magnetometry is useful for detecting free radical generation in viral infections. As a model system we followed baby hamster kidney-21 cells upon Semliki Forest virus infection. We were able to show free radical generation on a single cell level at a subcellular resolution during the course of infection. Additionally, we were able to perform such measurements with diamond sensor particles which are conjugated to the viral surface. As a next step we aim to exploit this further by investigating if this method can be used to assess the severity of lung virus infections (with or without certain pre-existing conditions as age or COPD (smokers disease)).
Further, we performed the first measurements in clinical samples. WE were able to differentiate between samples from patients with arthritis from different causes.
Further, we performed the first measurements in clinical samples. WE were able to differentiate between samples from patients with arthritis from different causes.
While diamond magnetometry is already established in physics, it is very new to the biomedical fields. Only last year, our group has demonstrated the first detection of free radicals in living cells. Here we have shown this technique to be useful in virology for the first time. We also demonstrate the first measurements of clinical samples (synovial fluid) that have been performed so far which are promising for diagnostic purposes.