Researchers from the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg are currently examining the rise and spread of aerosols using artificially manufactured suspended particles and tissue cultivations. The researchers, who hail from the departments of process engineering, biomedical sciences and physics, aim to discover why the “superspreader” phenomenon exists.
The group of scientists will be investigating how virus particles in humans are packed into the infectious air bubbles and which processes allow these particles to stick to the airways of other individuals where they then pop, causing infection. The researchers from the process engineering department will be designing simulation models to help other scientists make reliable forecasts about the spread and distribution of these aerosol particles.
Dr. Heike Walles, a biomedical research professor from the university’s Core Facility Tissue Engineering, explained that there was a significant amount of knowledge in existence about the biological mechanisms involved in the processes of infection, noting that researchers had an accurate idea of how the virus reached cells in humans and multiplied. However, he added, researchers weren’t sure how the viruses were packed into the aerosol particles before exiting an individual’s body in order to infect others.
Walles also noted that bringing together these complex technologies under sterile working conditions was the biggest challenge for this project.
A team of researchers, led by Prof. Claus-Dieter Ohl, a physicist from the faculty of natural sciences, will be producing aerosols based on particles and package them with fluorescent proteins. The researchers will be producing different sizes of particles, similar to the particles found in the lungs of humans.
In turn, the group led by Walles will be growing artificial tissue models that will be coated with protein solutions to replicate mucus, in a bid to simulate the airways’ physical conditions. High pressure will then be applied into the tubular networks to observe how the aerosols stick to biological surfaces. The movement of these particles will be recorded using high-speed cameras.
Additionally, the group of researchers led by Dr. Ing Fabian Denner will help populate the models with the data obtained from this research, which will provide a basis for decision making, allowing researchers to find out which changes and adjustments are required for the experimental approach.
Ohl noted that understanding how aerosols are produced, how they spread and the conditions that cause them to burst may allow researchers to find drugs that reduce and influence aerosol formation in the airways of individuals. This, he added, would make it possible to effectively limit the spread of infectious viruses. The project has been financed by the German Research Foundation.
As different teams are devoting their energies to getting a better understanding of the coronavirus and how it affects humans, other companies, such as Brain Scientific Inc. (OTCQB: BRSF), are looking to bring next-gen medical devices to the market, especially for neurological conditions that have devastating effects on patients.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Brain Scientific Inc. (OTCQB: BRSF) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/BRSF
About BioMedWire
BioMedWire (BMW) is a bio-med news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with BMW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. BMW is where news, content and information converge.
To receive SMS text alerts from BioMedWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.BioMedWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
BioMedWire (BMW)
San Francisco, California
www.BioMedWire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@BioMedWire.com
BioMedWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.