Tiny nets woven from DNA strands can ensnare the spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19, lighting up the virus for a fast-yet-sensitive diagnostic test -- and also impeding the virus from infecting cells, opening a new possible route to antiviral treatment, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and collaborators demonstrated the DNA nets' ability to detect and impede COVID-19 in human cell cultures in a paper published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

"This platform combines the sensitivity of PCR and the speed and low cost of antigen tests," said study leader Xing Wang, a professor of bioengineering and of chemistry at Illinois. "We need tests like this for a couple of reasons. One is to prepare for the next pandemic. The other reason is to track ongoing viral epidemics -- not only coronaviruses, but also other deadly and economically impactful viruses like HIV or influenza."