"Glowing When Detecting Corona"... Could 'Novels' Become Reality?

Oh Byung-ha KAIST Professor Team Collaborates with US Researchers to Develop Protein Sensor
Enables Rapid Detection of Various Pathogens Including COVID-19
Possibility of Realizing 'Science Fiction' Virus Capture Using Semiconductors?

On the 19th, medical staff are collecting specimens at a temporary screening clinic for COVID-19 set up at Seoul Station Plaza. The 20th marks exactly one year since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in South Korea. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] "The COVID-19 virus is ultimately just a 30,000-byte piece of data. Using semiconductor technology, it can be detected and eradicated outside the body."

This is the premise of Jinmyung Kim's novel 'Virus X,' published last November and gaining popularity. Although somewhat far-fetched, the author wrote with a confident tone, stating, "Humanity can win the war against viruses through this kind of paradigm shift." But is there a real possibility that such an idea could become reality, despite some criticism labeling it "unscientific"?

Let's focus on the joint research results by Korean and American researchers published last month in the international scientific journal 'Nature.' According to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) on the 7th, Professor Byungha Oh's team at KAIST, in collaboration with Washington State University, developed a protein sensor that can quickly and easily detect 'target proteins' such as the COVID-19 virus. They combined an artificial scaffold protein with bioluminescent cells from deep-sea shrimp.

This protein sensor is designed to emit light on its own when it detects the target protein. Moreover, the intensity of the emitted light is regulated by the concentration of the target protein. No additional samples are needed, and the luminescence lasts for about an hour immediately upon detection.

Such protein sensors can be used for various purposes beyond detecting the COVID-19 virus. The protein system created by the researchers acts like Lego blocks, providing a platform that facilitates the easy production of various protein sensors. In fact, the research team revealed that they have actually produced a protein sensor platform capable of detecting a total of eight target proteins, including the hepatitis B virus, besides the COVID-19 virus. This is the world's first artificial synthesis of proteins endowed with specific functions.

Professor Oh, who participated in the sensor development, said, "This artificial protein sensor development is the first case where humans have created new materials with functions by utilizing scientific principles and physical laws. Existing protein sensors either used natural materials as they were or only partially modified them. It's similar to how humans first made airplanes modeled after birds, then later created drones, which are entirely different flying objects inspired only by the principles."

Regarding the idea of detecting and eradicating viruses outside the body using semiconductor technology, Professor Oh expressed a cautious view: "The density of viruses in the air is low, so I am not sure if semiconductors can collect enough viruses to analyze their nucleotide sequences."

Meanwhile, various unscientifically verified COVID-19 countermeasures have been spreading more aggressively recently. Examples include former U.S. President Donald Trump's 'chloroquine,' recently boiled chili stalk water, and the 'COVID talisman' from Yoido Full Gospel Church, among others. This proliferation is analyzed as evidence that the COVID-19 crisis, which has lasted over a year without an end in sight, has left deep scars on people's lives.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.