Covid-19: Indian scientists develop new promising antiviral; free precautionary vaccine
Considering the rapidly evolving new strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus, there are concerns Covid-19 vaccines may not be enough; synthetic peptide-based antivirals could be the answer
Locking mechanism of new synthetic peptides; pic-GoI
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with researchers from the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, have found a new way to render the deadly SARS-CoV-2 (Covid) virus ineffective. Peptide antivirals based on this research could fight new variants of Covid-19, which vaccines may not.
Scientists said they have identified a new mechanism that inactivates SARS-CoV-2 by blocking their entry to cells and reducing its infection ability. Further, the new class of synthetic peptides can also clump the virions (virus particles) together, thereby reducing their ability to infect.
The team that carried out the research comprised B Khatri, I Pramanick, SK Malladi, RS Rajmani, P Ghosh, N Sengupta, R Varadarajan, S Dutta and J Chatterjee from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and R Rahisuddin, S Kumar, N Kumar, S Kumaran and RP Ringe from CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology.
Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya today announced that Covid-19 precautionary dose will be administered to all above 18 years free of cost. “As part of #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav celebrations, free COVID-19 Precaution Dose will be administered to all the citizens above 18 years of age at Government vaccination centres, from 15th July 2022 till the next 75 days,” he said.
Send your comments to feedback@mddtimes.com
