Viral infections are among the most significant global risks to human health. Newly emerging virus variants such as SARS-CoV-2 can reach pandemic dimensions, while climate change facilitates the spread of viruses previously confined to tropical regions into temperate zones. This dynamic development requires a rapid and precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which viruses bind to host cells. A key prerequisite is the detailed analysis of interactions between viruses and their specific receptors.

The project Plasmonic Virus-Receptor Binding Assays develops and compares plasmonic binding assays to investigate these interactions. Both the established surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique and the more recent localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) approach are employed. While SPR is considered the gold standard for molecular interaction studies, LSPR offers higher dynamic range and thus enables measurements at higher analyte concentrations. The aim is to identify the most suitable method for different research questions.

The work includes biofunctionalization of SPR and LSPR surfaces, execution of binding assays, and subsequent data analysis and systematic method comparison. The laboratories are equipped with an SPR system featuring six channels and an LSPR array setup with 105 sensor spots. This infrastructure enables parallel detection of viral binding sites and efficient testing of potential inhibitors.

The main objective of the project is the development and optimization of plasmonic assays to characterize the binding of different viruses—such as coronaviruses or dengue viruses—to various receptors. The results provide insights into infection processes at the molecular level. In addition, the effectiveness of selected inhibitors in blocking virus–receptor binding is evaluated. The developed methods are therefore relevant both for basic research and for the early assessment of antiviral agents.

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