Department of Computer Science

Department of Computer Science - News

13.01.2021

Potential therapeutic approach against COVID-19 thanks to bioinformatics

Major media response to research results of Jun.-Prof. Andreas Dräger and Alina Renz on SARS-CoV-2

The coronavirus can only replicate by reprogramming its human host’s metabolism and exploiting its enzymes for its own purposes—a detailed computer model of the research group “Computational Systems Biology of Infection” of Jun.-Prof. Andreas Draeger could now identify a human enzyme, which the virus needs for its reproduction, but whose function is not essential for maintaining the cells. This could make it a suitable target for an active agent. The results were published in the current issue of the journal Bioinformatics (https://doi.org/10.1093/bioinformatics/btaa813). The scientists are now investigating whether a drug attack on this enzyme can inhibit the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME in Hamburg.

Media coverage (selection):

Official press release of the DZIF (German Center for Infection Research):

Interview by the University of Tübingen:

YouTube contribution by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Andreas Draeger:

 

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