Investigating structural stability of SARS-CoV-2 virus like particles.*

A better understanding of the SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus which has caused the Covid-19 pandemic, is urgently needed. I will present our recent work concerning the structural stability of SARS-CoV-2 Virus-Like Particles (VLPs). SARS-CoV-2 virions exit the infected host as bioaerosol, i.e., embedded within airborne liquid droplets. Although there is compelling evidence that direct exposure to bioaerosol can lead to virus transmission, droplet deposition on surfaces could be a crucial intermediary for COVID-19 spread. Studies show that virus particles can remain infectious on surfaces for long durations of time. I will present our Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging of SARS-CoV-2 VLPs, the effect of nanoscale forces on the structure of these particles, and the effect of temperature variation on the stability of VLP in liquid and dry conditions. I’ll also discuss how our results support a substantial seasonal variation of COVID-19 disease spread.