A remarkable new technology developed by Manchester biochemists has found a way to restrict the spread of flu.
The scientists at biotech company Virustatic and The University of Manchester have developed a fabric coating which isolates viruses responsible for seasonal and pandemic influenza.
According to the team, the ‘germ trap’ has a capture rate for the virus – which affects millions of people across the world, sometimes severely- of greater than 99%.
The germ trap – which can be added to filters in masks or air filtration systems – is completely harmless and cheap to produce.
The initial research was carried out by The University of Manchester’s Professor Sabine Flitsch, who has been working with company since 2010 with EPRSC funding.
Inventor Paul Hope, who is Virustatic’s Technical Director, said: “We’re very excited about this technology, which could have an important impact on some of society’s greatest challenges.
“It’s a whole new preventative approach to disease and if implemented could be transformative.”
“We’re now at the stage where we’re looking for strategic partners to take this technology forwards in terms of developing new products.”
Scientists have struggled to find a way to anchor proteins to utilize their properties.