Very good news regarding the Coronavirus
A lot of progress has taken place in understanding the coranavirus.The genes have been sequenced and proteins have been made.
Indeed, one of those proteins is a "spike" protein that the virus uses to attach
to a host cell. It's sort of like an anchor that initiates further progress in the
infection process.
After the virus attached to the cell, the membranes of the cell and the virus then fuse,
enabling the RNA of the virus to enter the cell and direct new virus production.
Well, genes for this spike protein itself have been isolated and incorporated into cells.
These cells were then used to make lots of this spike protein.
Subsequently, this protein has been 3D mapped and now it has been sent to many
research teams to both produce drugs for treatment and to use as antigens to make vaccines.
Thus within a month or two, vaccines will possibly become made and tested for effectiveness.
The bottom line, is that progress is rapidly being undertaken.
There may actually be something good to come out of this. The common cold is caused by a virus
in the coronavirus family. Imagine if one of the vaccines against the new virus also works to
prevent the common cold. It is possible. It would be a nice positive side effect.
I can hear the potential commercials now.
Here's a recent article from LiveScience;
In response to:
Coronavirus 'spike' protein just mapped, leading way to vaccine
By Yasemin Saplakoglu - Staff Writer 2 days ago
Researchers worldwide are racing to develop potential vaccines and drugs to fight the new coronavirus, called SARS-Cov-2. Now, a group of researchers has figured out the molecular structure of a key protein that the coronavirus uses to invade human cells, potentially opening the door to the development of a vaccine, according to new findings.
Previous research revealed that coronaviruses invade cells through so-called "spike" proteins, but those proteins take on different shapes in different coronaviruses. Figuring out the shape of the spike protein in SARS-Cov-2 is the key to figuring out how to target the virus, said Jason McLellan, senior author of the study and an associate professor of molecular biosciences at the University of Texas at Austin.
All about COVID-19.
Though the coronavirus uses many different proteins to replicate and invade cells, the spike protein is the major surface protein that it uses to bind to a receptor — another protein that acts like a doorway into a human cell. After the spike protein binds to the human cell receptor, the viral membrane fuses with the human cell membrane, allowing the genome of the virus to enter human cells and begin infection. So "if you can prevent attachment and fusion, you will prevent entry," McLellan told Live Science. But to target this protein, you need to know what it looks like.
Earlier this month, researchers published the genome of SARS-Cov-2. Using that genome, McLellan and his team, in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), identified the specific genes that code for the spike protein. They then sent that gene information to a company that created the genes and sent them back. The group then injected those genes into mammalian cells in a lab dish and those cells produced the spike proteins.
Next, using a very detailed microscopy technique called cryogenic electron microscopy, the group created a 3D "map," or "blueprint," of the spike proteins. The blueprint revealed the structure of the molecule, mapping the location of each of its atoms in space.
"It's impressive that these researchers were able to get the structure so quickly," said Aubree Gordon, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan who was not a part of the study. "It's a very important step forward and may help in the development of a vaccine against SARS-COV-2."...
Coronavirus 'spike' protein just mapped, leading way to vaccine
By Yasemin Saplakoglu - Staff Writer 2 days ago
Researchers worldwide are racing to develop potential vaccines and drugs to fight the new coronavirus, called SARS-Cov-2. Now, a group of researchers has figured out the molecular structure of a key protein that the coronavirus uses to invade human cells, potentially opening the door to the development of a vaccine, according to new findings.
Previous research revealed that coronaviruses invade cells through so-called "spike" proteins, but those proteins take on different shapes in different coronaviruses. Figuring out the shape of the spike protein in SARS-Cov-2 is the key to figuring out how to target the virus, said Jason McLellan, senior author of the study and an associate professor of molecular biosciences at the University of Texas at Austin.
All about COVID-19.
Though the coronavirus uses many different proteins to replicate and invade cells, the spike protein is the major surface protein that it uses to bind to a receptor — another protein that acts like a doorway into a human cell. After the spike protein binds to the human cell receptor, the viral membrane fuses with the human cell membrane, allowing the genome of the virus to enter human cells and begin infection. So "if you can prevent attachment and fusion, you will prevent entry," McLellan told Live Science. But to target this protein, you need to know what it looks like.
Earlier this month, researchers published the genome of SARS-Cov-2. Using that genome, McLellan and his team, in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), identified the specific genes that code for the spike protein. They then sent that gene information to a company that created the genes and sent them back. The group then injected those genes into mammalian cells in a lab dish and those cells produced the spike proteins.
Next, using a very detailed microscopy technique called cryogenic electron microscopy, the group created a 3D "map," or "blueprint," of the spike proteins. The blueprint revealed the structure of the molecule, mapping the location of each of its atoms in space.
"It's impressive that these researchers were able to get the structure so quickly," said Aubree Gordon, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan who was not a part of the study. "It's a very important step forward and may help in the development of a vaccine against SARS-COV-2."...
Comments (48)
WHO Chief: “Our of window of ‘containment’ opportunity is narrowing’ after Iran deaths”
They already have mammalian cells producing it.
They just have to run some trials to see if it is an effective antigen. It should be.
It's a foreign protein displayed on the surface of the virus that sticks out from the virus.
Certainly it is a prime candidate to see if it is an effective antigen.
If not, it could be altered slightly and then used as a vaccine.
One they have a protein that works, it's just a matter of ramping up the production of it.
That has worked in other vaccines. Given the priority, I don't think it will take as long as 3 months.
3 months is a heck of a long time for this virus to travel before containment.
We seem to find a cure for all ills to the extent they change and come back worse. Or is it because we take meds for everything now without waiting to see if the body will fight it first. ???? just thoughts
While the world is making monumental changes in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, a vaccine is being worked on in Canada. And now, a Saskatchewan coronavirus vaccine is officially in the testing stages. Although there is still a long road ahead for human use, officials are working hard as more grant money comes in.
Back in January 2020, it was announced that the University of Saskatchewan received permission from the Public Health Agency of Canada to start working on a vaccine for COVID-19.
Since then, researchers have been accepting grants to help the process along.
While it could take up to a year to complete, CJWW has confirmed with the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre that the vaccine is now being tested on animals.
As of now, there is no timeline as to when it could be ready for human use.
Volker Gerdts, CEO and Director of VIDO-InterVac, told CJWW that everything learned from the first SARS outbreak gives the researchers an idea of what the vaccine will have to look like.
He also added that as they are now a few weeks away from finishing research stages, he is positive the vaccine will work.
Once the animal testing is complete, the research team will then need to send any viable vaccine away for clinical studies before being confirmed as safe for humans.
This massive milestone comes just after an announcement that the Saskatchewan research team was granted almost $1 million to develop the coronavirus vaccine.
According to a press release posted on March 6, the VIDO-InterVac team was part of a $2.67 million federal rapid research funding initiative aimed at contributing to global efforts for combating COVID-19.
This money will then help the 12-person team develop the best suitable vaccine.
According to the researchers, animal models are helping scientists to evaluate vaccines, antiviral medications, and drugs to protect animals and humans.
“The global race is on to find out which is the best animal model for replicating the disease observed in humans. Is it mice, hamsters, or ferrets? Whichever model works best is the one we’re going to use. Once the model is developed, we will then be able to test our vaccine candidates for effectiveness,” said Gerdts in the press release.
“We will make the models available to other investigators who have leading candidate vaccines, antiviral drugs and immunity-boosting therapies.”
Numbers of infected individuals are on the rise and as of March 12, the first child in Canada was diagnosed with COVID-19 in Calgary.
It is estimated that up to 70 percent of Canadians could be impacted by the pandemic, should it not be contained. Numbers of infected individuals are on the rise and as of March 12, the first child in Canada was diagnosed with COVID-19 in Calgary.
It is estimated that up to 70 percent of Canadians could be impacted by the pandemic, should it not be contained.
Yesterday from CNBC ;
WHO officials say at least 20 coronavirus vaccines are in development in global race for cure
Published Fri, Mar 20 2020 3:30 PM
Noah Higgins-Dunn & Emma Newburger
Key Points
Any vaccine for the coronavirus would have to made available to everyone, not just the “haves,” WHO officials said.
WHO officials noted that the race for a vaccine has made remarkable progress as the first human trials have started only eight weeks into development.
The virus has infected more than 245,000 people worldwide and killed more than 10,000 as of Friday afternoon.
The World Health Organization is working with scientists across the globe on at least 20 different coronavirus vaccines with some already in clinical trials in record time — just 60 days after sequencing the gene.
“The acceleration of this process is really truly dramatic in terms of what we’re able to do, building on work that started with SARS, that started with MERS and now is being used for COVID-19 ,” Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead for WHO’s emergencies program, said at a press conference at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva on Friday.
The vaccines are still a long way away from being available for public use, WHO officials cautioned. Leading scientists say the clinical trials and safety approvals needed to get a workable vaccine to market could take up to 18 months.
Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s emergencies program, said the trials are necessary. There’s only one thing more dangerous than a bad virus “and that’s a bad vaccine,” he said.
“We have to be very, very, very careful in developing any product that we’re going to inject into potentially most of the world’s population,” he said, adding that the first human trials on a vaccine that started this week in the U.S. were “unprecedented in speed.” He said that would have never happened if China and other countries hadn’t shared the genetic sequence of COVID-19 with the rest of the world.
The National Institutes of Health has been fast-tracking work with biotech company Moderna to develop a vaccine using the genetic sequence of the new coronavirus. The trial started Monday at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle, Washington. The early-stage, or phase 1, trial will test the vaccine on 45 males and non-pregnant females between the ages of 18 and 55, according to trial details on NIH’s website.
Once a vaccine is found, WHO officials warned about other logistical, financial and ethical hurdles world leaders will face.
“Even if we get a vaccine that’s effective, we have to have that vaccine that’s available for everybody. There has to be fair and equitable access to that vaccine for everybody,” Ryan said, adding the world won’t be protected from the coronavirus unless everybody is vaccinated. “How do we ensure we get enough of that vaccine in time, how do we ensure, how do we ensure we can distribute that vaccine to populations all over the world and how do we convince people to take the vaccine.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has already been reaching out to global leaders on these issues, Ryan said.
“This vaccine should not be for the haves, it should be for those who cannot afford it too,” Tedros said. “We need to answer that question as early as possible.”
The virus has infected more than 245,000 people worldwide and killed at least 10,031, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. U.S. cases have reached at least 14,250, with New York State comprising more than 40% of the nationwide total.
The outbreak started in Wuhan, China in December and has since spread rapidly around the world. The WHO announced last week that Europe has become the new epicenter of the outbreak.
But being on line helps...
it would be nice if the world can can start to function in a normal way again.
I bet the people that worked from home during this virus will want to continue doing so.
It would be nice to clear up the pollution and the freeways.
One of the symptoms of Covid-19 is NOT to commit crimes.
The press I read across Europe tends to support the assertion that a vaccine to Covid19 will take at least 12 months.
You're right, that it would be harmful to disseminate inaccurate & misleading information. However, it is a service to disseminate accurate hopeful information.
Until we are able to actually get an effective vaccine, rigid adherence to precautionary avoidance guidelines is manditory. That does not change. However, the broadcasting of actual progress gives hope for the future and that hope is positive in times when it might wrongly seem hopeless.
Why do people want to politisize everything...lol...
I just would have told the idiot to go f...himself...really tired of these jaded guys...
Resigning to what we can't do, most frequently leads to a path resulting in an opposite outcome.
Thankfully, good scientists generally have a can do attitude.
It has led to amazing successes.
National Review -- Health Care
A Doctor’s Assessment Of The COVID-19 Outbreak
By JOEL M. ZINBERG
March 20, 2020 5:43 PM
(Excerpt)
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, wrote that because of the high number of unreported cases, “the case fatality rate may be considerably less than 1% . . . ultimately more akin to those of a severe seasonal influenza (which has a case fatality rate of approximately 0.1%).” (This is from Fauci, Lane, and Redfield, “Covid-19 — Navigating the Uncharted,” NEJM (2020 February 28): 1–2.)
More @ --
The COVID Tracking Project
@Mic This is the most likely outcome and it's important to continue to re-emphasize it. Panic and stress are a significant contributor to ill health. It's important to take a deep breath. Follow the health guidelines, sure, but make sure to continue to invite perspective. Panic is contagious. But the good news is that positive thinking is also. We need to practice the latter to beat the former. We will get through this.
President Trumps News Conference within 25 min. Sounds like NYC will be locked down or controlled within city limits?
It's now a stinging indictment of Human Nature.
Makes one ashamed to be us ...
Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are expected toward the coast. no lock down yet for NYC
Those old Twilight Zone episodes are good & funny in their own way.
I'm no microbiologist, but a Queensland team, are looking at an mRNA, based potential vaccine, which, when injected, enters the body's cells, causing them to produce a protein, which "clogs up" the receptors on the Covid virus, rendering it non-infective.
Clinical trials have already begun, I believe.
Thanks for your comment...
People need to stay calm and what JimN is doing just that...the virus is not political...lol...
What is it with those people anyways...
1) I'm guessing, that some people have their toilet paper stored in those bunkers right now Mic.
2) Those old Twilight Zone episodes are good & funny in their own way.
1) The subject arose during an IRL conversation. One insightful observation -- "Covid is a Pepper's Wet Dream." ...
2) Kinda prophetic, too! ...