IBM Research and Singapore's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) have announced that they have identified a new breakthrough macromolecule that could help prevent deadly virus infections.
The researchers who developed the new anti-viral macromolecule (clockwise from bottom right: Dr Shaoqiong Liu, Dr Chuan Yang, Dr Ashlynn Lee, Dr James Hedrick, Dr Yi Yan Yang and Dr Shujun Gao).
The study exploits supramolecular chemistry, the study of large molecules designed with multiple features and is believed to be a first of its kind in fighting viral diseases. According IBM Watson that could help further accelerate drug discovery.
The new macromolecule that can help fight virus infections has a triple-play mechanism that can also help prevent viral drug resistance. It sidesteps the normal mutations that enable viruses to escape vaccines through the onset of resistance.
Dr. Yi Yan Yang, group leader, institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore, said: "We have created an anti-viral macromolecule that can tackle viruses by blocking the virus from infecting the cells, regardless of mutations. It is not toxic to healthy cells and is safe for use.”
One component of the macromolecule enables strong hydrogen bonds with electrostatic interactions to attract the proteins on the virus surface which disables viral ability to infect healthy cells.
Mannose components of the macromolecule bind directly to healthy immune cell receptors and the basic amine groups, neutralise the pH inside the viral cell making it inhospitable for replication.
Dr. James Hedrick, lead researcher, advanced organic materials, IBM Research, said: "With the recent outbreak of viruses such as Zika and Ebola, achieving anti-viral breakthroughs becomes even more important.
"We are excited about the possibilities that this novel approach represents, and are looking to collaborate with universities and other organizations to identify new applications."