Share this:
The threat of rampant viral strains such as Ebola, dengue fever, and Zika is a worldwide concern. In most cases, the only advice with a virus has been to rest, treat the symptoms, drink lots of fluids, stay away from other people, wait it out, and hope for the best. Unlike bacteria, which can be fought with antibiotics and controlled with antibacterial soaps and sprays, there’s been no effective way to fight viruses. But that may be about to change.
IBM Research and Singapore’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) announced a breakthrough involving the use of macromolecules to fight viral diseases. With macromolecules, the researchers hope we will be able to prevent the spread of viruses and stop them from being as virulent as they currently are in those already infected.
Related: Ingenious Brazilian billboards use fake sweat to attract and kill Zika-carrying mosquitos
The reason viruses are so hard to treat is that they possess a mechanism to resist drugs. The path the macromolecular researchers have followed involves breaking down or preventing virus drug resistance in the first place. The new technology works in three ways: attraction, prevention, and neutralization. One part of the macromolecule uses an electrostatic attraction process to coat virus cell surfaces so they cannot infect other cells. A specific sugar (mannose) in the macromolecule helps the body’s immune cells work better. And another part of the macromolecular cell neutralizes the virus’ pH level, which has the effect of disturbing the virus replication process.
Further work is required to produce soaps and sprays that can be used on individuals and to disinfect rooms in order to prevent viruses from spreading. Further down the development path with the same macromolecular technology, the researchers hope to accelerate drug research into products that can provide effective cures and vaccinations.
- Paranoia patients cured by facing their fears in virtual reality
- Unfortunately, mutations allow HIV to evade CRISPR gene-editing treatment
- Scientists just successfully used gene editing to remove HIV from infected immune cells
from Planet GS via John Jason Fallows on Inoreader http://ift.tt/24TksGS
Bruce Brown
More Stories
‘My 401k Misses You’: Black Woman Pumped To Meet Donald Trump In Philadelphia – July 18, 2023 at 04:56PM
Energy Provider Warns of Impending ‘Crisis,’ ‘Blackout Conditions’ Driven By Biden Plans – July 18, 2023 at 04:20PM
Dog starts barking at cows crossing a bridge, so the cows stop to have a look. – July 17, 2023 at 02:27PM