Enhancing viral detection and surface cleaning with bacteriphage model

Viral contamination of surfaces poses a significant public health risk, particularly in environments with high hygiene requirements such as healthcare settings, food production facilities, and public spaces. This project aims to develop advanced methods to enhance virus detection and cleaning efficiency. By utilizing innovative molecular techniques and safe bacteriophages as model organisms, the project will establish more reliable and scalable solutions for managing surface contamination.

The project's outcomes will enhance public health by contributing to safer cleaning methods and improved standards for hygiene assessment. By enabling faster and more specific detection of viruses and human fecal contamination, the project supports the development of more effective products and protocols, thereby reducing the spread of infections and protecting critical societal functions.

Innovation methods

The project introduces several novel approaches to enhance virus detection and cleaning efficiency:

• A model system for testing wipes is being developed, which includes the introduction of various bacteriophages as model organisms to simulate viral behavior on surfaces. These bacteriophages are detected using both culture-based methods and molecular techniques, such as qPCR and the PMA-qPCR method. The PMA-qPCR method is specifically designed to differentiate between infectious and inactivated viral particles, providing a more comprehensive assessment of disinfection efficacy.

  CrAss-like phages are utilized as human-specific markers for fecal contamination, offering greater precision compared to traditional bacterial indicators.

These methods enable a realistic simulation of virus behavior on surfaces and a reliable evaluation of mechanical cleaning methods, contributing to the development of more effective hygiene solutions.

Objectives and impact

The project will deliver validated methods for measuring cleaning efficiency and virus detection, with a specific focus on surfaces such as wood, plastic, metal, and ceramics under various contamination conditions. The results are expected to improve cleaning products and protocols, reduce virus transmission, and enhance safety in public and professional environments.