Bionanomaterials for diagnosis and therapy of SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first detected in December 2019 in China and has caused a global pandemic affecting 202 nations around the world. It is caused by a new pathogen of the Betacoronavirus B genetic group, severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This new virus shares 96% similarity in RNA with bat coronavirus and 80% similarity with SARS virus but is severely more transmissible. SARS-CoV-2 has inflicted more than 4.29 million fatalities around the globe, has devastated the global economy, and continues to spread. There has been a tremendous scientific thrust for diagnostics, therapy, and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 virion has a nanoscale structure consisting of four protein components. Therefore, bionanomaterials are key candidates for engineering a therapy and diagnostic to combat this disease. This chapter reviews the advances in bionanomaterial-based disinfectants, therapy, vaccine, and diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2. We will also highlight the key material properties of these novel nanostructures.