Can vibration destroy SARS-CoV-2 molecules? Mathematical analysis at the nanoscale

The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 currently has the most negative impact on the health, economy and lifestyle of people worldwide. Scientists are looking for vaccines and drugs, and, as in the presented research, analyze the possibility of mechanical impact on SARS-CoV-2 molecules in order to destroy them. An international team of engineers, including those from the Gdańsk University of Technology, analyzed the mathematical model of the SARS-CoV-2 molecule in the form of a viscoelastic spherical structure. The results were published in the 2nd, in the prestige determined by the impact factor, of 91 multidisciplinary engineering journals.

• Mechanical loading of the SARS-CoV-2 virus structure can deform it, leading to the destruction of the virus.
• Therapeutic vibration frequencies, that can cause SARS-CoV-2 molecules to resonate in amplitudes destructing for its structure, are proposed in the following ranges: 3-4 and 7-25 GHz.

Prepared on the basis of:

On the deformation and frequency analyses of SARS-CoV-2 at nanoscale. Dastjerdi S, Malikan M, Akgöz B, Civalek Ö, Wiczenbach T, Eremeyev VA. Int J Eng Sci. 2022;170:103604.

According to mechanics, if a given structure vibrates with a specific natural frequency, it can be set into a destabilizing resonance of increasing amplitude, leading to its destruction. Therefore, it is so important to study the natural vibrations of SARS-CoV-2 protein chains, which can potentially be damaged by vibration at appropriate frequencies. The authors of the presented report express the hope that the results of their pioneering research will be used in the treatment of COVID-19 as well as diseases caused by other viruses, including HIV, without the use of vaccines.

Results

The natural frequencies of the SARS-CoV-2 molecule vibration and the loads that may affect the structure of this virus were modeled. A mathematical simulation based on the theory of mechanics and non-local flexibility was used. The authors propose that the application of destructive loads on SARS-CoV-2 particles, as well as the application of vibrations at the natural frequencies of SARS-CoV-2, should be considered therapeutic methods.

The results obtained can be summarized as follows:

• Mechanical loading of the SARS-CoV-2 virus structure can deform it, leading to the destruction of the virus.
• To obtain the maximum deformation of the virus structures, the loads should be applied over a longer period of time.
• In the analyzed context, the internal building elements of the virus play the role of a flexible substrate, thus preventing deformation of its native structure.
• Therapeutic vibration frequencies that can cause SARS-CoV-2 molecule resonance, resulting in the destruction of its structure, are proposed in the following ranges: 3-4 and 7-25 GHz.

Comment

Mechanical damage to viruses by the delivery of vibrations causing their resonance has already been investigated before. For example, Pica et al. (2006) tested the effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on oncogenic viruses. They exposed the herpesvirus (HHV-8) associated tumor to sine waves, 1 mT, 50 Hz, for 24-72 hours. After this treatment, the HHV-8 virus offspring was mainly composed of defective virus particles.

It seems that resonant vibrations can destroy the protein structure of viruses, which is why it is so important to evaluate the natural frequency of SARS-CoV-2 molecules. The development of this approach could contribute also to the fight against other viruses, but potentially also against cancer cells. However, it should be noted that during such therapy, the human body may also be exposed to potentially dangerous and harmful effects on organs, enzymes or DNA, therefore appropriate specialists should make all necessary clinical considerations when developing the new mechanotherapy and the new type of vibrotherapy.

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