Scientists have identified a coronavirus "Achilles heel" that may pave the way for a vaccine. Researchers at Scripps Research have studied an antibody in a SARS patient to see how it latched on to an area of the virus.
They claim this antibody latched on to the same spot on a coronavirus sample with "near-atomic-scale resolution". Although it was not as effective on the coronavirus sample, it did identify a weakness.
Dr Ian Wilson, the study's lead author, said: "The knowledge of conserved sites like this can aid in structure-based design of vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2, and these would also protect against other coronaviruses – including those that may emerge in the future." They added that this study suggests Covid-19