ACE2 Receptor-Modified Algae-Based Microrobot for Removal of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 can survive in wastewater for several days with a potential risk of waterborne human transmission, hence posing challenges containing the virus and reducing its spread. Herein, we report on an active biohybrid microrobot system that offers highly efficient capture removal target from various aquatic media. algae-based is fabricated by using click chemistry to functionalize microalgae angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor against spike protein. resulting ACE2-algae-robot displays fast (>100 ?m/s) long-lasting (>24 h) self-propulsion diverse media including drinking water river water, obviating need external fuels. Such movement effective “on-the-fly” proteins pseudovirus. Specifically, results 95% viral protein 89% pseudovirus, significantly exceeding control groups such as static ACE2-algae bare algae. These suggest considerable promise biologically functionalized algae toward viruses other environmental threats wastewater.