With coronavirus cases around the world now at over 2.9 million, scientists are desperately searching for a treatment. Now, scientists from the University of Louisville have developed a technology that they believe could stop the virus from infecting human cells.
The technology is based on a piece of synthetic DNA called an aptamer, which targets and binds with a human protein called nucleolin.
While the research is still in its early phase, tests indicate that this aptamer could stop the coronavirus from ‘hijacking’ nucleolin to replicate inside the body.
The aptamer has already been applied a range of ways - most notably as an experimental cancer drug. Paula Bates, a researcher on the project, said: “Like many scientists, as soon as I