In the United States created a non-infectious version of the coronavirus
Rockefeller University (USA) has created an artificial version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. These are self-replicating RNAs that are identical to a virus but not infectious, Science reports.
The copies mimic almost every aspect of the virus's life cycle. Their RNA contains all the information a virus needs to replicate and make copies of itself. The only difference is the lack of instructions that allow the virus to create spikes (proteins that enter the cell and infect it).
This work is essential for coronavirus research. With its help, scientists can investigate the pathogen without being exposed to the danger of infection. When a copy of the virus was introduced into human cell cultures in a petri dish, they were able to multiply, but were unable to capture neighboring cells.
“With this system, scientists will be able to investigate SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, test drugs against it, and evaluate neutralizing antibodies, all faster and under lower biosafety conditions,” said research team leader Charles M. Rice.
Similar practices have already been used to research other viruses, in particular hepatitis C. They have helped develop effective drugs to combat the disease.
Previously, scientists have named the possible cause of the coronavirus. So, it could appear due to the experiments of scientists.
