Scientists identify carbohydrate used by coronavirus to infect cells, finding may help prevent Covid-19
4 years, 6 months ago

Scientists identify carbohydrate used by coronavirus to infect cells, finding may help prevent Covid-19

India Today  

A key carbohydrate molecule that the novel coronavirus uses to infect human cells has been discovered by researchers. The finding of the carbohydrate molecule -- called heparan sulphate -- may prove useful to treat and prevent the Covid-19, the deadly disease caused by the new coronavirus. The new study, published in the journal Cell, has found that the novel coronavirus can't grab onto the ACE2 molecule without the help of the carbohydrate heparan sulphate, which on lung cell surfaces as well. The first approach works by removing heparan sulphate with enzymes, and the second uses heparin as bait to lure and bind the coronavirus away from human cells. The virus must bind both heparan sulphate on the cell surface and ACE2 in order to get inside human lung cells grown in a laboratory dish, they said.

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Scientists develop molecule that blocks covid-19 infection
3 years, 3 months ago

Scientists develop molecule that blocks covid-19 infection

Live Mint  

Scientists have developed a new molecule that attaches to the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevents it from entering human cells and spreading the COVID-19 infection. The researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark noted that the molecule is cheaper and easier to manufacture than the antibodies currently used to treat COVID-19, and to detect viral infection using rapid antigen …

Scientists reveal how coronavirus could be hijacking human cells
4 years, 1 month ago

Scientists reveal how coronavirus could be hijacking human cells

Live Mint  

Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have identified parts of human proteins which the novel coronavirus could be using to hijack host cell processes, an advance that may lead to the development of new drugs for treating covid-19. The researchers, including Manjeet Kumar from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in HeidelbGermany, analysed the chain of amino acid molecules that makes up …

Scientists find new way to stop coronavirus from replicating itself
4 years, 5 months ago

Scientists find new way to stop coronavirus from replicating itself

India Today  

Scientists in the US have developed a new method using which they have been able to prevent the novel coronavirus from replicating itself. "This enzyme executes a double-whammy," Shaun K Olsen, associate professor of biochemistry and structural biology at UT Health San Antonio, who was the senior author for the study, was quoted as saying by PTI. Olsen added, "It …

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