{"id":11390,"date":"2021-05-11T15:34:54","date_gmt":"2021-05-11T14:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=11390"},"modified":"2021-05-11T15:34:54","modified_gmt":"2021-05-11T14:34:54","slug":"developing-covid-19-protein-protocols-research-laboratories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/developing-covid-19-protein-protocols-research-laboratories\/11390\/","title":{"rendered":"Developing COVID-19 protein protocols for research laboratories"},"content":{"rendered":"
The network, organised by Professor Harald Schwalbe from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Goethe University, encompasses countries around the world.<\/p>\n
When the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus mutates, this initially means there is a shift in its genetic blueprint. This mutation could result in, for example, an amino acid being exchanged in a viral protein.<\/p>\n
To evaluate the impact of the shift, a 3D image<\/a> of the viral protein is beneficial as it indicates whether the shift in amino acid impacts the functioning of the protein, or with the interaction of a potential drug or antibody.<\/p>\n Scientists from Goethe University Frankfurt<\/a> and TU Darmstadt<\/a> decided to start networking internationally at the beginning of the pandemic with the goal of describing 3D structures of COVID-19 using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR).<\/p>\n In the NMR process, molecules are branded with isotopes and exposed to a strong magnetic field. Then NMR can be utilised to analyse how potentially active compounds bind to viral proteins.<\/p>\n Amongst other locations, this process can be undertaken at the Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ) at Goethe University. However, large quantities of the proteins in high purity and stability, and with accurate folding are necessary conditions before the tests can be carried out.<\/p>\n The explanation of laboratory protocols for the development of proteins is in fact the group\u2019s second major achievement. On top of proteins, the virus consists of RNA, and the group previously made all-important RNA fragments of COVID-19 accessible in 2020.<\/p>\n