In a recent study done at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, new ‘Nanobodies’ have been found which can prohibit the entry of Coronavirus inside a human body.
These newly found ‘Nanobodies’ have the capability to block SARS-CoV-2 which is responsible for the whole pandemic. This study if used properly can help in bringing breakthrough results for sure.
ALSO READ: COVID-19: Why Females Are Facing Less Severe Symptoms Than Males
In the research, an Alpaca was used for testing due to the reason that in the parent family of Alpaca, known as camelids, these nanobodies are found naturally.
The researchers took blood samples of an Alpaca named Tyson and studied the effect that was to be observed after they did inject him with the virus. The response from the blood sample that was gathered showed astonishing results and showed positive results.
Afterwhich, the antibody responsible for this effect was singled out and was named ‘Ty 1’ after the name of the Alpaca used in the research, Tyson.
“Efficiently neutralizes the virus by attaching itself to the part of the spike protein that binds to the receptor ACE2, which is used by SARS-CoV-2 to infect cells.”
“Using cryo-electron microscopy, we were able to see how the nanobody binds to the viral spike at an epitope which overlaps with the cellular receptor ACE2-binding site, providing a structural understanding for the potent neutralization activity,” said Leo Hanke, first author of the study.
The most exciting thing about the research is that these antibodies can be included in the form of medication very easily. And it will be easy to mass-produce them and would provide a cost-effective solution as well if we’re to believe the word of the researchers.
Ben Murrell, co-senior author of the publication said, “We are now embarking on preclinical animal studies to investigate the neutralizing activity and therapeutic potential of Ty1 in vivo.”
ALSO READ: Russia and India are in Close Talks for Mass Production of COVID-19 Drug
Follow Flickonclick on Google News