Researchers have designed a completely new potential treatment for COVID-19: nanoparticles that capture SARS-CoV-2 viruses within the body and then use the body’s own immune system to destroy them.
These “nanotraps” mimic the target cells the virus infects to attract the virus. When the virus binds to the nanotraps, the traps then sequester the virus from other cells and target it for destruction by the immune system.
In theory, these nanotraps could also be used on variants of the virus, leading to a potential new way to inhibit the virus going forward. Though the therapy remains in early stages of testing, the researchers envision it could be administered via a nasal spray as a treatment for COVID-19.
Eight members of the University of Chicago faculty have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies. They include Profs. Zeresenay Alemseged, Benson Farb, Jeffrey Hubbe
29th April 2021 7:30 am 29th April 2021 8:29 am
Researchers at the University of Chicago are exploring a potential treatment for Covid-19 using nanoparticles to destroy the virus.
The nanoparticles capture the virus within the body, acting as ‘Nanotraps’ which attract the virus by mimicking its usual target cells. The virus binds to the Nanotraps, which then sequester the virus from other cells and target it for destruction by the immune system.
Researchers believe it could be administered in nasal spray format as a future method of inhibiting the virus. Results from early testing stages have been positive, the team reported in its findings published in the journal
Researchers design nanotraps to capture and destroy SARS-CoV-2 viruses
Researchers at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) at the University of Chicago have designed a completely novel potential treatment for COVID-19: nanoparticles that capture SARS-CoV-2 viruses within the body and then use the body s own immune system to destroy it.
These Nanotraps attract the virus by mimicking the target cells the virus infects. When the virus binds to the Nanotraps, the traps then sequester the virus from other cells and target it for destruction by the immune system.
In theory, these Nanotraps could also be used on variants of the virus, leading to a potential new way to inhibit the virus going forward. Though the therapy remains in early stages of testing, the researchers envision it could be administered via a nasal spray as a treatment for COVID-19.
Pritzker signs law addressing racial gaps in health care • What s next for the United Center vaccine site • Outdoor mask recommendations eased
April 28, 2021 05:15 AM
Pritzker signs law addressing racial gaps in health care • What s next for the United Center vaccine site • Outdoor mask recommendations eased
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HEALTH CARE REFORM LAW TO ADDRESS EQUITY: Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed a law seeking to address longstanding health care inequities by requiring that medical professionals undergo implicit bias training and creating a HHS task force, among other measures.