Researchers around the world have been racing to develop new vaccines, antivirals, and other therapies to blunt SARS-CoV-2s attack, even while the virus evolves to become an endemic problem.
While existing vaccines are capable of reducing severe cases of COVID-19, at least with a recent booster, continued mutations and the difficulty of maintaining high booster rates mean that better defenses will need to be developed.
Vaccines are making a huge difference, but vaccines are not universal, and there is still a tremendous need for other approaches, Anders Nr, a professor of metabolic biology at UC Berkeley, said.
While existing vaccines are capable of reducing severe cases of COVID-19, continued mutations and the difficulty of maintaining high booster rates mean that other defenses will need to be developed.
Nr and his Cal colleagues approach uses inhalable, DNA-like molecules to throw a wrench into the coronaviruss replication machine.
A nasal spray that is cheaply available everywhere and that could prevent someone from getting infected or prevent serious disease could be immensely helpful, Nr said.
Gumming up the works: The Berkeley teams nasal spray, published in Nature Communications, uses short snippets of synthetic DNA called antisense oligonucleotides or ASOs for short.
ASOs can be programmed to glom onto specific strings of RNA blocking them from being copied or turned into proteins.
Nr has been studying the use of ASOs for over a decade, trying to figure out how to use them to affect RNA involved in conditions like type 2 diabetes, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and fatty liver disease.
But when the pandemic hit, they set their sights on a different type of RNA virus RNA.
The SARS-CoV-2 genome is single-stranded RNA, similar to messenger RNA or microRNA, Nr said. We thought perhaps we could use these ASOs to stick onto the viral RNA and prevent it from working.
The nasal spray uses DNA-like molecules to gum up SARS-CoV-2s replication.
The hairpin bend: Working with the Innovative Genomics Institute and Berkeley researcher Sarah Stanleys lab, the team sicced hundreds of different ASOs all designed to attack different parts of the genome on SARS-CoV-2.
One target in particular proved effective: a non-coding portion of the virus RNA that forms a hairpin and seems to play a key role in replication. With an ASO stuck to its hairpin, the virus was unable to replicate.
The ASOs stopped the coronavirus from replicating in human cells in the lab, and in animal experiments, it both prevented infection, when given early, and treated COVID-19 after infection.
We showed that if you bind an ASO to this hairpin, it dissolves the hairpin, and the RNA forms a straight line instead of a bubble structure, Nr said. We think that this prevents the virus from effectively translating and replicating, and we found that it was incredibly effective at preventing viral replication in human cells.
When sprayed in the noses of mice and hamsters, the ASO protected against and treated COVID-19, but just as importantly, it did not spark an immune response of its own suggesting it likely wont cause toxic side effects in people.
The hairpin is found in all known variants of SARS-CoV-2, and the teams ASOs were shown to be effective against variants of concern, including Delta and Omicron.
A nasal spray that is cheaply available everywhere and that could prevent someone from getting infected or prevent serious disease could be immensely helpful.
Next steps: ASOs are stable and relatively cheap to produce at scale, the researchers said, making them a potential boon for fighting the virus around the world.
Theyre also a promising way to attack other RNA viruses, like influenza, RSV, and other respiratory viruses, since they can be designed to stick to any RNA genome. The team has already found an ASO which sticks to a target in SARS-1, and they have begun preliminary work on influenza.
More research will be required before human clinical trials can begin, though.
Its very clear that this virus is not going away, Nr said. We need a lot of different avenues to tackle it, and therapeutics like ours that are agnostic to the variants could play a major role.
Wed love to hear from you! If you have a comment about this article or if you have a tip for a future Freethink story, please email us at [emailprotected]
Go here to read the rest:
Synthetic DNA nasal spray could stop COVID, flu, and other viruses - Freethink
- Discovering the mysteries of human DNA - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Scientists go deeper into DNA - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Instant Egghead - Genes vs. DNA vs. Chromosomes - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- DNA Calls Out Lineup Of Rappers For Future Battles - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- What is DNA? - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Turn Your DNA Into Fine Art, BMW Zagato Roadster - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- DNA - OFFICIAL URLTV SUMMER MADNESS 2 RECAP! - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- "Binary DNA" - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- 16x9 - DNA Prophecies: Code reveals your future - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Gilbert Gottfried - Space DNA, Sexy Weight Loss, Badonkadonk Booty - Gilbert Gets It - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Animated Health Video Production | DNA Services of America - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Michael Tsarion ~ Mayans ~ 2012 ~ DNA - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Mini-drones to take your DNA? - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- C2CAM - DNA Research - 07-09-2012 - Coast To Coast AM - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Inside The DNA Of MDNA - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- KOTD - Rap Battle - DNA vs Eurgh - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Starchild DNA Showing "Wright" Stuff - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Chrome Cats - DNA of a Winner(Official Video) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- DNA leads to arrest in 1980 murder of Oxnard girl [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- 'Junk' DNA: Not So Useless After All [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- Decoding Human DNA [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2012]
- Planet of the Apes: What is that big hunk of 'junk' DNA up to ? [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2012]
- Genetics Breakthrough Changes Thinking About DNA [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2012]
- 'Junk DNA' and the mystery of mankind's missing genes [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2012]
- Real-time observation of single DNA molecule repair [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2012]
- Court hears DNA findings in child sex case [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2012]
- 2012 International Symposium on Human Identification Features Emerging and Best Practice Forensic DNA Techniques ... [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2012]
- DNA could help ID a king [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2012]
- DNA with a Twist [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2012]
- Three reasons to like junk DNA [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2012]
- LBNL Seeks Licensees for Highly Specific and Sensitive DNA Extraction Method [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2012]
- Under-twisted DNA origami delivers cancer drugs to tumors [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2012]
- DNA ‘junk' contains a treasure of information about disease [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2012]
- Research: Hopping DNA supercoils [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2012]
- DNA evidence missing in Assange case [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2012]
- Missing DNA evidence in Assange case [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2012]
- No Assange DNA on torn condom - report [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2012]
- Calif. DNA Collection From Arrestees Challenged [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2012]
- Federal appeals court to hear challenge to California DNA collection law [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2012]
- Applied DNA Sciences Contracts With Inventionland [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2012]
- Applied DNA Sciences, Textile Centre of Excellence Unveil Textiles Anti-Counterfeiting Platform [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2012]
- Rapist caught by DNA test jailed [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2012]
- FBI eager to embrace mobile 'Rapid DNA' testing [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2012]
- Expansion of criminal DNA collection proposed [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2012]
- Assessment of HPV DNA Alone Insufficient to Identify HPV-Driven Head and Neck Cancers [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2012]
- George Zimmerman's DNA, not Trayvon Martin's, found on gun [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2012]
- George Zimmerman: No DNA evidence of a struggle for his gun [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2012]
- DNA evidence links Vallejo man to January stabbing in SLO, police say [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2012]
- Legal hurdles threaten to slow FBI's 'Rapid DNA' revolution [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2012]
- Judge denies motions to dismiss DNA evidence in Hudson murder case [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- Researchers report novel approach for single molecule electronic DNA sequencing [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- Novel approach for single molecule electronic DNA sequencing [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- DNA helps Wyckoff police nab 'motorcycle burglar' [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- Novel DNA barcode engineered: New technology could launch biomedical imaging to next level [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2012]
- DNA Microarray 2012: A Focus on Sales Growth [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2012]
- DNA in 1980 Maine murder case shown to match defendant [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2012]
- DNA recovered during Rayney probe [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2012]
- FBI makes headway on DNA testing backlog, report says [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2012]
- Male DNA found for first time in female brains [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2012]
- Bearing Sons Leaves Male DNA Traces in Mom's Brain [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2012]
- Many female brains contain male DNA [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2012]
- New drive to take criminals' DNA [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2012]
- DNA remains focus in Highway of Tears cases [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2012]
- Analysing The Evidence On DNA [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2012]
- DNA Clears Death Row Inmate [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2012]
- Burn victim identified by DNA in maggots [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2012]
- DNA fails to match couple on two other skeletons [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2012]
- DNA Dynamics Update on Sports Title [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- DNA solves teen's 1974 murder [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Some Women's Brains Contain Male DNA: Study [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- DNA exonerates man after 15 years on death row - Video [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- DNA link prompts charges in cold case rapes - Video [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- DNA testing has its limits [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- DNA evidence exonerates 300th prisoner nationwide [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- DNA testing facility in Pune to speed up cases in Mumbai [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- Rape DNA process 'not adequate' [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- IntegenX Announces U.S. Launch of the RapidHIT™ 200 System – Rapid DNA Technology That Will Revolutionize the Use of ... [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- 300th person exonerated by DNA evidence [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- Inherited Diseases Found Sooner in Newborns With DNA Scan [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Woman charged in husband's death gives DNA sample [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]