Coronavirus 'Achilles' heel' may have been found, experts sayThe coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the majority of the world, upending nearly every facet of life, as researchers race to find a cure. However, a newly published study suggests researchers may have found what's been described as its "Achilles' heel."
The research shows that a specific portion of the virus could be targeted with vaccines after they mapped a human antibody's interaction with SARS-CoV-2 at "near-atomic-scale resolution," according to a statement from Scripps Research. The antibody was taken from a SARS patient from several years ago, but it reacts to SARS-CoV-2 as well.
“The knowledge of conserved sites like this can aid in structure-based design of vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2, and these would also protect against other coronaviruses—including those that may emerge in the future,†said the study's lead author, Dr. Ian Wilson, in a statement.
.............Unfortunately, the virus' flaw is difficult to find, "adding to the mystery," the researchers said.
“We found that this region is usually hidden inside the virus, and only exposed when that part of the virus changes its structure, as it would in natural infection,†co-author Meng Yuan added.
Scripps Research said it is actively seeking out recovered COVID-19 patients who are willing to donate their blood to screen for potential antibodies............
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