Scientists everywhere are trying different approaches towards finding the panacea, the ideal medicine for coronavirus immunity, to heal COVID-19. As of April 06, 2020, at 08:33 GMT, the coronavirus pandemic has reached 1.276.732 confirmed cases and 69.529 deaths.
Even though the global lockdown is slowing down its pace, the deadly virus is very resourceful. Over three months have passed since the beginning of the outbreak, and we aren’t yet close to neither a vaccine that could enhance our immune system so we won’t catch the virus nor a stable medicine that prevents people from dying—the treatment protocol variates.
Little rays of sunshine seem to break through the clouds of worrisome when one scientist or another says he is getting close to a possible cure. Some have said that the answer is in blood plasma cells from people that had the virus and got cured. Others that the tobacco plants help to harvest a pure antigen. Or that they have found the door through which the virus enters the human cell, a particular enzyme, and are on the way of finding a way to inhibit that enzyme.
Traces of hope. And now, as reported on ExpressUK, another possible outcome was reached. Dr. Ian Wilson says he found the door through where the antibody can reach the virus, the virus’s weakness. Its “Achille’s heel.”
A new study shows promises of coronavirus immunity that would halt COVID-19
Using data from the former SARS virus, researchers observed at a “near-atomic-scale resolution” how the same antibody harvested from an old SARS patient penetrated the virus through a specific area. And how a similar antibody penetrated the same area within the new coronavirus.
It looks like genetics work the same with viruses. They might mutate, but their origin doesn’t lie, and they can inherit the same weakness. The problems with this outcome are that the weakness is secluded inside the virus and that the virus can also mutate. A new mutation of the virus requires another antibody, or maybe the mutation corrects the “Achille’s heel.”
“We found that this region is usually hidden inside the virus, and only exposed when that part of the virus changes its structure, as it would in natural infection,” said Meng Yuan, a co-author in the research.
Another weak spot, like in any other possible cure found, is that it takes time to become available for the population. Clinical trials, approvals, production, distribution, all these take time. And it might take 2-3 months before a cure becomes a reality for those in need. And we are all in need.
The two scientists are also optimistic that their discovery might prove beneficial for future coronaviruses treatment, but that is to be taken into consideration for future studies. The state of emergency is finding the answer to this new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The new research also helps with the coronavirus. immunity
