OREANDA-NEWS. Scientists from the University of Göttingen have invented nanobodies that can prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The research is published in The ECMBO Journal.

The new mini-antibodies block the receptor-binding domain of the coronavirus by neutralizing them: they bind to the pathogen and prevent infection.

The authors of the work conducted an experiment: they immunized three alpacas, which produced mini-antibodies. Blood samples were then taken from the animals to isolate antibodies. Of these, scientists have selected 45 of the most effective molecules and tested nanobodies for the effectiveness of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2.

Having studied the mechanism of removing nanobodies from the body, the researchers created complex structures of several molecules. The "triad" corresponds to the symmetry of the three receptor-binding domains of the S-protein, which cannot be released. Thus, the effectiveness of neutralizing the virus has increased 30 thousand times.

Scientists believe that if successful, their development will help meet the global demand for the production of drugs against COVID-19.

Earlier, American scientists found that the S2H97 antibody effectively neutralizes particles of a new type of coronavirus and protected mice from infection with it. On its basis, it will be possible to create new vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 or methods of treating COVID-19. The description of the study was published in the scientific journal Nature. The researchers hope that the results of their work will help create new drugs to fight not only the current pandemic, but also with possible future epidemics.