Issue 36, 2020

Soft matter science and the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Much of the science underpinning the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic lies in the soft matter domain. Coronaviruses are composite particles with a core of nucleic acids complexed to proteins surrounded by a protein-studded lipid bilayer shell. A dominant route for transmission is via air-borne aerosols and droplets. Viral interaction with polymeric body fluids, particularly mucus, and cell membranes controls their infectivity, while their interaction with skin and artificial surfaces underpins cleaning and disinfection and the efficacy of masks and other personal protective equipment. The global response to COVID-19 has highlighted gaps in the soft matter knowledge base. We survey these gaps, especially as pertaining to the transmission of the disease, and suggest questions that can (and need to) be tackled, both in response to COVID-19 and to better prepare for future viral pandemics.

Graphical abstract: Soft matter science and the COVID-19 pandemic

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
03 Jūl. 2020
Accepted
28 Aug. 2020
First published
02 Sept. 2020
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Soft Matter, 2020,16, 8310-8324

Soft matter science and the COVID-19 pandemic

W. C. K. Poon, A. T. Brown, S. O. L. Direito, D. J. M. Hodgson, L. Le Nagard, A. Lips, C. E. MacPhee, D. Marenduzzo, J. R. Royer, A. F. Silva, J. H. J. Thijssen and S. Titmuss, Soft Matter, 2020, 16, 8310 DOI: 10.1039/D0SM01223H

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