Fox26 By Steven Sarabia and Matthew Quick
UT Austin makes "breakthrough" in Coronavirus research, supports vaccine design
AUSTIN, Texas - Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and the National Institutes of Health have made a critical breakthrough toward developing a vaccine for the 2019 novel coronavirus, according to a UT Austin press release.
According to the University, researchers were able to create the first 3D atomic-scale map of the part of the virus that attaches to human cells and infects a patient. "Mapping this part, called the spike protein, is an essential step so researchers around the world can develop vaccines and antiviral drugs to combat the virus," the press release stated.
The research team was able to design and produce samples of their "spike protein" just two weeks after receiving the genome sequence of the virus from Chinese researchers. It took another 12 days to reconstruct the 3D atomic-scale map and submit it for peer review to Science.
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https://www.fox26houston.com/news/ut-austin-makes-breakthrough-in-coronavirus-research-supports-vaccine-design
