Unusual blue woodlice may help develop new antiviral materials

A team of experts who are looking to combat viruses are to make a plea to the general public to help them in a new research project by becoming garden detectives – and hunt for the humble woodlouse.

Materials and antiviral expert Dr Sam Jones, from The University of Manchester, is on a quest for blue coloured woodlice as they are actually infested with an insect virus called iridovirus – and isopods like woodlice serve as natural hosts. However, iridovirus poses no threat to humans.

The distinctive blue colour is, in fact, caused by a crystal forming within the diseased creature’s tissue – and from this biochemistry Dr Jones believes a new test could be developed to measure the effectiveness of a revolutionary antiviral material.

Dr Jones has helped to create a new antiviral material to help destroy viruses on contact – and this breakthrough treatment may help in the fight against pandemics.

Dr Jones’ project team will include Dr Ahu Parry, from Manchester’s Department of Materials, an expert in structural colour. Louis Nicholls, currently studying for an Entomology MSc at Harper Adams University, is also advising.

To develop the proposed virus tester, Dr Jones and his PhD student Solen Monteil, from the graphene centre for doctoral training (Graphene NOWNANO), have prepared a page on the SciStarter citizen science website which contains information to help would-be blue woodlice detectives.

Also, volunteers can visit the Manchester team’s website where their finds can be added to a global map of all woodlice found and follow them on Twitter.