Sussex Research Laboratories Inc

Published purpose

For pathogens such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that are spread through inhalation, the cells of the lung are the first line of defense for the host. A detailed understanding of the temporal and structural components of these interactions may be used to augment the host’s immune protection system. These components include the glycans and their receptors on both the host and the viral surface. It is anticipated that unravelling the interactions of the host’s glycans with viral receptors will allow for the development of practical diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. The SARS-CoV-2 virus utilizes its spike protein for attachment and internalization into host cells as a pivotal event required for viral replication. There is evidence that the first step of these events is the interaction of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the spike protein with sialic acid-based receptors lining the respiratory tract. The aim of this Project is to identify key competitor glycans to the postulated SARS-CoV-2 virus glycan receptor that may also be useful for the development for both diagnostics and therapeutics.