BEIJING (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers recently developed a nanomaterial that targets the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta and Omicron, to promote virus elimination.

The research results, published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, revealed a two-dimensional, ultra-thin composite nanomaterial made of copper, indium, phosphorus and sulfur called "CIPS" as a new agent to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Researchers from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, the Institute of High Energy Physics under the academy, and the Kunming Institute of Zoology under the academy developed the nanomaterial and its anti-viral mechanism.

According to the study, CIPS shows a very strong ability to selectively bind to the receptor-binding domain of wild-type spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and its mutants, such as Delta and Omicron.

The test shows that the virus, when bound to CIPS, is rapidly eliminated by phagocytes of the host, indicating that CIPS can be used to capture the virus and facilitate its elimination by the host.

The test also shows that CIPS can prevent virus entry and infection in cells, organoids, and mice, and effectively relieve pneumonia in mice caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The study demonstrates the potential of CIPS as a nanodrug for the safe and effective treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and as a disinfection agent and surface coating material to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection.