attach tiny studs of silver to bacteria

[Serpo]

Scientists have discovered that they can attach tiny studs of silver onto the surface of otherwise harmless bacteria, giving them the ability to destroy viruses.

They have tested the silver-impregnated bacteria against norovirus, which causes winter vomiting outbreaks, and found that they leaves the virus unable to cause infections.

The researchers now believe the same technique could help to combat other viruses, including influenza and those responsible for causing the common cold.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8068742/Bacteria-turned-into-silver-bullet-to-combat-flu.html

[keehah]

Professor Willy Verstraete, a microbiologist from the University of Ghent, Belgium, who unveiled the findings at a meeting of the Society for Applied Microbiology in London last week, said the bacteria could be incorporated into a nasal spray, water filters and hand washes to prevent viruses from being spread.

He said: "We are using silver nanoparticles, which are extremely small but give a large amount of surface area as they can clump around the virus, increasing the inhibiting effect.

"There are concerns about using such small particles of silver in the human body and what harm it might cause to human health, so we have attached the silver nanoparticles to the surface of a bacterium. It means the silver particles remain small, but they are not free to roam around the body."

Nothing wrong about small amounts of bacteria roaming around the body. In fact it is beneficial.
Looks like this is a way to make what one can make themselves inexpensively, silver colloid, and expensive product.

[SilverMagnet]

Katadyn Pocket Water Purifiers use a Silver impregnated filter to kill bacteria and protozoa as well. Damn thing is worth it's weight in .... Silver?