Deep lung aerosol generation and virus encapsulation

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Claus-Dieter Ohl; Professor Dr. Berend van Wachem, Ph.D., since 4/2023; Professorin Dr. Heike Walles
• Subject Area: Fluid Mechanics ; Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology ; Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 458610925

Microscopic aerosols have been identified as the prime infection pathways for SARS-CoV-2. These droplets are generated deep in the lung from lining fluids. During breathing thin films form and rupture, thereby releasing fine droplets that encapsulate the viral load. In contrast to larger droplets formed in the upper airways, microscopic droplets studied here remain suspended in air much longer and thus pose a higher risk for airborne infection. Here, an interdisciplinary research team will tackle the science of aerosol generation and virus encapsulation connecting medical, biological, and fluid mechanics expertise. We will emphasis on realistic fluids together with viral particles and focus on the fast and delicate flows resulting to film rupture, droplet generation, encapsulation, and stabilization. Emphasis is placed on high spatio-temporal resolution experimentation, simulations of the atomization and drop formation process of thin films, and the biological virulence of the thereby generated aerosol particles. While the research was motivated from the virulence of SARS-CoV-2, it will also test other viruses to unravel the fundamental fluid mechanics that results to airborne transmission of pathogens from the lung.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professorin Dr. Andrea Kröger
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Fabian Denner, until 3/2023