news Structure of SARS-CoV-2 suggests reason for high infection rate, says study 7 May 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have identified a structural loop in the SARS-CoV-2 S protein and a sequence of four amino acids that they say could help explain its high transmission rate.
news Researchers analyse SARS-CoV-2 genome, identifying 198 mutations 7 May 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) After analysing the genomic diversity in SARS-CoV-2 by screening over 7,500 viruses from infected patients, researchers have offered clues for COVID-19 drug development.
news Study finds activation sequence of COVID-19 S protein is cleaved by furin protease 6 May 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have shown that the activation sequence the SARS-CoV-2 S protein is cleaved by the cellular enzyme furin which is also required for the infection of lung cells.
news Mass spec used to reveal glycan structures of COVID-19 Spike protein 5 May 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) High-resolution mass spectrometry has been used by researchers to map the glycan-processing states of the Spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
news Unique mutation in SARS-CoV-2 virus identified from next-generation sequencing 5 May 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Next-generation sequencing has revealed an 81-base pair mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which could be used to develop new antivirals or vaccines.
news Researchers reveal cryo-EM structure of remdesivir bound to SARS-CoV-2 4 May 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) A group of researchers has used cryo-EM to discover the structure of the remdesivir-bound RNA complex of SARS-CoV-2 and explain how the drug inhibits COVID-19 viral replication.
news Three new assays to test COVID-19 antivirals developed 30 April 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) A series of three new assays to screen for drug compounds or proteins that combat the COVID-19 coronavirus has been developed.
news Collaboration to identify novel COVID-19 drug targets announced 30 April 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Bringing together protein science, drug discovery experience and innovative technology, a new collaboration aims to identify novel drug targets for COVID-19.
news AI platform developed to rapidly identify treatment regimens for infections, including COVID-19 29 April 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) A new AI tool has been created by researchers to identify the best treatment courses and doses for bacterial or viral infections, such as COVID-19.
news Fundamental molecular research underpins our ability to combat COVD-19, says article 23 April 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) Ali Shilatifard’s article explains how investment in institutes performing molecular research is essential, as it is the foundation for all attempts to combat COVID-19 and other future pandemics.
news Lead SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor compound identified by researchers to treat COVID-19 23 April 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers have found a lead compound which they say inhibits SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and demonstrates good pharmacokinetic activity in vivo.
news COVID-19 research indicates SARS-CoV-2 exploits immune defences to drive infection 22 April 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) A new study has revealed that less than 10 percent of respiratory and intestinal cells are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and expression of ACE2 receptors is driven by the body's immune response.
news High-throughput protocol for producing tetramer assay probes used to investigate COVID-19 21 April 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) The developers of a novel method to create immunological assay probes for screening T cells has leveraged their new protocol against COVID-19.
news Nanobodies developed to image COVID-19 Spike protein 20 April 2020 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review) Researchers in the UK have selected nanobodies that bind with high affinity to the Spike protein on the COVID-19 coronavirus, enabling stabilisation for imaging.
news Novel visualisation platform to aid understanding of COVID-19 strain evolution 20 April 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review) The visualisation platform is being used to analyse how the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19 is evolving and could be used to inform drug design.
