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Science & Tech.
Mahesh

15/07/22 13:44 PM IST

Scientists develop novel mechanism to inactivate SARS-CoV-2

In News 
  • Researchers have reported the design of a new class of synthetic peptides that can not only block the entry of SARS-CoV-2 virus entry into cells but also clump the virions (virus particles) together, reducing their ability to infect.
About the Discovery
  • It is known that protein-protein interaction is often like that of a lock and a key.
  • This interaction can be hampered by synthetic peptide that mimics, competes with, and prevents the ‘key’ from binding to the ‘lock’, or vice versa.
  • Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with researchers from the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, have exploited this approach to design peptides that can bind to and block the spike protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
  • This binding was further characterised extensively by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and other biophysical methods.
  • The research was supported under the COVID-19 IRPHA call of SERB Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Source- PIB 

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