Uploaded March 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Subscribe for more awesome biomedical research: bit.ly/2SRMqhC
Since my first video nearly two months ago, the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 has become a global pandemic. We need to find ways to eradicate this virus or at least find sufficient treatments. And there are reasons for hope. In the past weeks, scientists all over the world have achieved several breakthroughs. Although there are currently no available vaccines or fully-established antiviral treatments for SARS-CoV-2 some promising candidates are already being investigated.
But what is COVID-19? COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. SARS-CoV-2 binds to host cells which produce ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Once it has entered the cell, the viral RNA is released and different proteins (including a polymerase, structural proteins and a protease) are synthesised. Later, new particles are assembled and SARS-CoV-2 is released.
Most currently investigated drugs have already been used against other viruses. Scientists now try to find out if these drugs also interfere with the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2.
Camostat mesylate, which is normally used to treat pancreatitis has already been used against SARS-CoV, a close relative of SARS-CoV-2. It is thought to block TMPRSS2, thereby hindering the entry of the virus. Studies concerning effects, however, have mostly been conducted in vitro.
Favipiravir and remdesivir are nucleoside and nucleotide analogues, respectively. They mimic the building blocks of DNA and RNA. When the polymerase tries to produce new RNA molecules, it gets stuck while trying to incorporate one of these drugs. There are several clinical trials trying to investigate how effective this approach is.
Interferon-alpha and lopinavir/ritonavir are already used in clinics. Lopinavir and ritonavir block have been developed against HIV viruses and they act against proteases. Studies show that they are also quite effective in early infections but not effective in advanced stages.
Different universities also try to develop a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Although the development of a vaccine will take a while, it could eventually eradicate this virus.
For your further research:
Lu, Hongzhou. "Drug treatment options for the 2019-new coronavirus (2019-nCoV)." Bioscience trends 14.1 (2020): 69-71.
Jin, Ying-Hui, et al. "A rapid advice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infected pneumonia (standard version)." Military Medical Research 7.1 (2020): 4.
Li, Guangdi, and Erik De Clercq. "Therapeutic options for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)." (2020).
Hoffmann, Markus, et al. "SARS-CoV-2 cell entry depends on ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and is blocked by a clinically proven protease inhibitor." Cell (2020).
science.sciencemag.org/content/367/6485/1412
Some pictures were derived from Servier Medical Art by Servier. You can find over 3000 free medical images here: smart.servier.com
Music:
Intro:
Light Sting by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com
Transitions:
Light Thought var 3 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: incompetech.com
About Clemens Steinek:
CLEMENS STEINEK is a postgraduate student/youtuber (LifeLabLearner) who is currently conducting stem cell research in Germany.
Subscribe for more awesome biomedical research: bit.ly/2SRMqhC
Since my first video nearly two months ago, the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 has become a global pandemic. We need to find ways to eradicate this virus or at least find sufficient treatments. And there are reasons for hope. In the past weeks, scientists all over the world have achieved several breakthroughs. Although there are currently no available vaccines or fully-established antiviral treatments for SARS-CoV-2 some promising candidates are already being investigated.
But what is COVID-19? COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. SARS-CoV-2 binds to host cells which produce ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Once it has entered the cell, the viral RNA is released and different proteins (including a polymerase, structural proteins and a protease) are synthesised. Later, new particles are assembled and SARS-CoV-2 is released.
Most currently investigated drugs have already been used against other viruses. Scientists now try to find out if these drugs also interfere with the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2.
Camostat mesylate, which is normally used to treat pancreatitis has already been used against SARS-CoV, a close relative of SARS-CoV-2. It is thought to block TMPRSS2, thereby hindering the entry of the virus. Studies concerning effects, however, have mostly been conducted in vitro.
Favipiravir and remdesivir are nucleoside and nucleotide analogues, respectively. They mimic the building blocks of DNA and RNA. When the polymerase tries to produce new RNA molecules, it gets stuck while trying to incorporate one of these drugs. There are several clinical trials trying to investigate how effective this approach is.
Interferon-alpha and lopinavir/ritonavir are already used in clinics. Lopinavir and ritonavir block have been developed against HIV viruses and they act against proteases. Studies show that they are also quite effective in early infections but not effective in advanced stages.
Different universities also try to develop a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Although the development of a vaccine will take a while, it could eventually eradicate this virus.
For your further research:
Lu, Hongzhou. "Drug treatment options for the 2019-new coronavirus (2019-nCoV)." Bioscience trends 14.1 (2020): 69-71.
Jin, Ying-Hui, et al. "A rapid advice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infected pneumonia (standard version)." Military Medical Research 7.1 (2020): 4.
Li, Guangdi, and Erik De Clercq. "Therapeutic options for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)." (2020).
Hoffmann, Markus, et al. "SARS-CoV-2 cell entry depends on ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and is blocked by a clinically proven protease inhibitor." Cell (2020).
science.sciencemag.org/content/367/6485/1412
Some pictures were derived from Servier Medical Art by Servier. You can find over 3000 free medical images here: smart.servier.com
Music:
Intro:
Light Sting by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com
Transitions:
Light Thought var 3 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: incompetech.com
About Clemens Steinek:
CLEMENS STEINEK is a postgraduate student/youtuber (LifeLabLearner) who is currently conducting stem cell research in Germany.
