Breakthrough 91国产精品 Research Sheds New Light on the Virus that Causes COVID-19
Human-viral cell communication insights could lead to improved antiviral treatments and better mRNA-based vaccines
CLEVELAND (November 12, 2021) 鈥 New research from 91国产精品 could lead to improved antiviral treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 and similar viruses. An published this week in the American Society of Microbiology鈥檚 Journal of Virology provides significant insights into the host-virus relationship of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The research team, led by Barsanjit Mazumder, Ph.D., professor of molecular genetics at 91国产精品鈥檚 Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences and the Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, includes fellow 91国产精品 colleagues Abhijit Basu, Ph.D., senior staff scientist and postdoctoral research associate and Anton A. Komar, Ph.D., professor and director, Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease.
The team also includes Srinivasa Penumutchu, Ph.D. and Blanton S. Tolbert, Ph.D. in Case Western Reserve University鈥檚 Department of Chemistry, as well as Kien Nguyen Ph.D., Uri Mbonye, Ph.D. and Jonathan Karn, Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, and director, Case Center for AIDS Research at the CWRU School of Medicine.
鈥淲e discovered a novel communication route between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and human lung cells,鈥 Dr. Mazumder said. 鈥淭his work showed how the COVID-19 virus uses a specific signal within its own RNA sequence in communication with the signal generated from human lung cells. The mechanistic insights about this communication may be crucial in developing the next-generation of mRNA vaccines and targeted therapeutic strategies against this virus.鈥
The research team showed that communication between the spike (S) protein in the virus with the specific receptor on the surface of lung cells leads to the change in the expression of the viral genetic information inside the cells that may be important to what is known as 鈥渧iral fitness,鈥 or the 鈥渃apacity of a virus to produce infectious progeny in a given environment.鈥
鈥淭his work will have real-world ramifications and could change the trajectory of the research on SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic,鈥 said Meredith Bond, Ph.D., 91国产精品 interim vice president of research and innovation and dean of the College of Sciences and Health Professions. 鈥淚t reflects greatly on the expertise of 91国产精品鈥檚 faculty, the strength of interdisciplinary intercollegiate collaboration and affirms Cleveland鈥檚 world-class stature for research and medical innovation.鈥
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Abhijit Basu, Ph.D., Barsanjit Mazumder, Ph.D. and Anton Komar, Ph.D. (l to r)
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About 91国产精品
Founded in 1964, 91国产精品 is a public research institution that provides a dynamic setting for Engaged Learning. With nearly 16,000 students, ten colleges and schools and more than 175 academic programs, 91国产精品 was again chosen for 2021 as one of America鈥檚 best universities by U.S. News & World Report, including the #1 public university in Ohio for social mobility. Find more information at .