The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic highlights the importance of materials science in providing tools and technologies for antiviral research and treatment development. In this Review, we discuss previous efforts in materials science in developing imaging systems and microfluidic devices for the in-depth and real-time investigation of viral structures and transmission, as well as material platforms for the detection of viruses and the delivery of antiviral drugs and vaccines. We highlight the contribution of materials science to the manufacturing of personal protective equipment and to the design of simple, accurate and low-cost virus-detection devices. We then investigate future possibilities of materials science in antiviral research and treatment development, examining the role of materials in antiviral-drug design, including the importance of synthetic material platforms for organoids and organs-on-a-chip, in drug delivery and vaccination, and for the production of medical equipment. Materials-science-based technologies not only contribute to the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 research efforts but can also provide platforms and tools for the understanding, protection, detection and treatment of future viral diseases.

正在进行的 SARS-CoV-2 大流行凸显了材料科学在为抗病毒研究和治疗开发提供工具和技术方面的重要性。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了材料科学在开发成像系统和微流控设备以深入和实时研究病毒结构和传播方面所做的努力，以及用于检测病毒和递送抗病毒药物的材料平台和疫苗。我们强调材料科学对制造个人防护设备以及设计简单、准确和低成本的病毒检测设备的贡献。然后，我们研究材料科学在抗病毒研究和治疗开发中的未来可能性，检查材料在抗病毒药物设计中的作用，包括合成材料平台对于类器官和器官芯片、药物输送和疫苗接种以及医疗设备生产的重要性。基于材料科学的技术不仅有助于正在进行的 SARS-CoV-2 研究工作，还可以为理解、保护、检测和治疗未来的病毒性疾病提供平台和工具。