The sprint to solve coronavirus protein structures — and disarm them with drugs

The sprint to solve coronavirus protein structures — and disarm them with drugs



3D visualization of the exterior of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. (Cognition Studio Inc.)

The sprint to solve coronavirus protein structures — and disarm them with drugs

On 10 January, the complete genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was released — and structural biologists around the world sprung into action. Their goal: to sift through the 29,811 RNA bases in the virus’s genome in search of instructions for each of its estimated 25–29 proteins. With those blueprints, the scientists could recreate the proteins in the laboratory, visualize them and then, hopefully, identify drug compounds to block them or to develop vaccines to incite the immune system against them.
Nature | 13 min read