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A research team at Aarhus University has developed a new molecule that can attach to the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles. This attachment prevents viruses from entering human cells and spreading infection.
The newly developed molecules belong to a class of compounds called RNA aptamers, which are based on the same types of building blocks used in mRNA vaccines. This makes them cheaper and easier to manufacture than antibodies currently used to treat COVID-19 and use rapid antigen tests to detect viral infections.
An aptamer is a piece of DNA or RNA folded into a 3D structure that can identify a specific target molecule of interest. By attaching itself to the surface of the virus, the RNA aptamer prevents the Spike protein from acting as the key to allowing the virus to enter the cell.
Therefore, RNA aptamer is not a new type of vaccine, but a compound. Once someone comes into contact with the virus, it may prevent the virus from spreading in the body.
The effective combination with the SARS-CoV-2 virus also means that the aptamer can be used to detect COVID-19 infection.
"We have started testing new aptamers in rapid tests, and we hope to be able to detect viruses at very low concentrations," said Professor Jørgen Kjems from Aarhus University, who is the lead author of the article just published in PNAS magazine .
Cell culture studies have shown that aptamers can fight previous coronavirus variants that researchers have had the opportunity to test.
"Since we submitted the article for peer review, we have been continuing our research and have been able to prove that it can also identify delta variants. Now we are waiting for samples of the newly discovered variant omicron, so we can test whether the aptamer is also Recognize this," Jørgen Kjems said.
He emphasized that the results of delta variants have not yet been peer reviewed and published. Further exploration will omicron be more contagious than delta? Virus evolution experts explained more information: Julián Valero et al., a serum-stable RNA aptamer for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizes virus entry, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2021). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112942118 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Citation provided by Aarhus University: Researchers have developed a molecule to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection (2021, December 13), from https://medicalxpress.com/news/ on December 14, 2021 2021-12-molecule-blocks-sars-cov search-infection.html This document is protected by copyright. Except for any fair transaction for private learning or research purposes, no part may be copied without written permission. The content is for reference only.
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