The application of quantum dots (QDs) for detecting and treating various types of coronaviruses is very promising, as their low toxicity and high surface performance make them superior among other nanomaterials; in conjugation with fluorescent probes they are promising semiconductor nanomaterials for the detection of various cellular processes and viral infections. In view of the successful results for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2, functional QDs could serve eminent role in the growth of safe nanotherapy for the cure of viral infections in the near future; their large surface areas help bind numerous molecules post-synthetically. Functionalized QDs with high functionality, targeted selectivity, stability and less cytotoxicity can be employed for highly sensitive co-delivery and imaging/diagnosis. Besides, due to the importance of safety and toxicity issues, QDs prepared from plant sources (e.g. curcumin) are much more attractive, as they provide good biocompatibility and low toxicity. In this review, the recent developments pertaining to the diagnostic and inhibitory potentials of QDs against SARS-CoV-2 are deliberated including important challenges and future outlooks. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran

Department of Medical Biotechnology Faculty of Medical Sciences Tarbiat Modares University Tehran Iran

Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Faculty of Pharmacy Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran

Department of Physics Sharif University of Technology Tehran Iran

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan Iran

Nanotechnology Research Center Faculty of Pharmacy Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran

Non communicable Diseases Research Center Bam University of Medical Sciences Bam Iran

Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute Palacký University in Olomouc Olomouc Czech Republic

School of Engineering Macquarie University Sydney Australia

School of Medicine Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan Iran

Student Research Committee Department of Medical Biotechnology School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran

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Nanosponges: An overlooked promising strategy to combat SARS-CoV-2