Researchers at the University of Toronto have created chemical compounds that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and several of its variants.
In a recent paper published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, the researchers report the creation of D-peptides that neutralize the virus and stop infection of cultured human cells.
Known as mirror-image peptides, the compounds have chemical properties that make them suitable for the development of low-cost antiviral therapeutics.
“A big advantage of mirror-image peptides is their long stability and that they are relatively cheap to produce,” says Philip Kim, senior author of the study and a professor of molecular genetics and computer science at the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
“You could imagine them being formulated as a nasal spray to take prophylactically to prevent infection from occurring.”>
In a recent paper published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, the researchers report the creation of D-peptides that neutralize the virus and stop infection of cultured human cells.
Known as mirror-image peptides, the compounds have chemical properties that make them suitable for the development of low-cost antiviral therapeutics.
“A big advantage of mirror-image peptides is their long stability and that they are relatively cheap to produce,” says Philip Kim, senior author of the study and a professor of molecular genetics and computer science at the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
“You could imagine them being formulated as a nasal spray to take prophylactically to prevent infection from occurring.”>