CRISPR Breakthrough Blocks SARS-CoV-2 Virus Replication in Early Lab Tests

[Warpy]

The team in Tuesday's study used an enzyme, CRISPR-Cas13b, that binds to relevant RNA sequences on the novel coronavirus and degrades the genome it needs to replicate inside human cells.

Lead author Sharon Lewin from Australia's Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity told AFP that the team had designed the CRISPR tool to recognize SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

"Once the virus is recognized, the CRISPR enzyme is activated and chops up the virus," she said.

https://www.sciencealert.com/cell-study-suggests-we-might-be-able-to-stop-sars-cov-2-from-replicating

Kind of a badly written article that confuses transmissiion with replication among other things, but this looks like it might provide a viable treatment down the line. It might even arrive in time for a deadlier coronavirus epidemic.

[brush]

1. Does this mean in a form other than vaccination, maybe a pill...

that vaxxer idiots could accept?

[Warpy]

2. As far as I could tell from the badly written article

It will be a treatment, not a preventive measure.

They're already working on an oral vaccine, something that might just work because this particular viral family tends to be GI viruses in other mammals, including bats and pangolins.

That might work on people who are just needle weenies but it won'g convince a hard core right wing idiot.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

4. Don't say it's an 'oral vaccine' just dissolve it in hard liquor and tell em

'Turns out these special, free Jack Daniels shots they have now at Walgreens will keep you from getting Covid!'

[littlemissmartypants]

3. Kick! ❤ nt