A unique new technology developed at the University of California offers an even more direct way to prevent the coronavirus from multiplying within the body. The researchers created a synthetic antibody that prevents SARS-CoV-2 from binding to human cells. These synthetic antibodies or nanobodies are modeled on tiny antibodies that camels and llamas often generate to protect themselves against coronaviruses. The synthetic antibodies target the spikes on the exterior of the coronavirus that it uses to attach itself to ACE2 receptor proteins on human cells. Blocking the spikes by the new nanobodies inhibits the virus’s ability to attach to the human cells.
These novel nanobodies can be manufactured in large quantities using bacteria or yeast and then can be turned into a dry powder for storage. The dry powder can be delivered with the help of a nebulizer right into the lungs that offer direct protection against the persistent virus. Clinical studies are needed to be conducted to validate this approach. However, researchers hope there are promising indications that the formulation could be safe and effective. Laboratory experiments have already shown that the nanobodies stay attached to the SARS-CoV-2 virus for over a week and prevent it from infecting cells.
Ref Link: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/370/6523/1473
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