Boston University COVID researchers combine omicron spike protein with original virus, test strain on mice - Boston Herald

Boston University COVID researchers person combined the omicron variant spike macromolecule with the archetypal virus, investigating the created strain connected mice “to assistance combat against aboriginal pandemics,” according to BU.

The scientists successful BU’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories recovered that each mice infected with lone the BA.1 omicron variant had mild cases and survived, portion the combined omicron spike macromolecule with archetypal COVID-19 microorganism strain inflicted terrible illness with an 80% mortality rate.

When mice were infected with conscionable the original, ancestral microorganism strain, 100% of the mice died.

“First, this probe is not gain-of-function research, meaning it did not amplify the Washington authorities SARS-COV-2 microorganism strain (original microorganism from 2020) oregon marque it much dangerous,” BU said successful a connection pursuing online reports that the assemblage called “false and inaccurate.”

“In fact, this probe made the microorganism replicate little dangerous,” the assemblage added.

This survey provides important insights into omicron’s quality to origin disease, according to the researchers.

“Consistent with studies published by others, this enactment shows that it is not the spike macromolecule that drives Omicron pathogenicity, but alternatively different viral proteins,” said pb survey writer Mohsan Saeed.

“Determination of those proteins volition pb to amended diagnostics and illness absorption strategies,” Saeed said.

The probe was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee, which consists of scientists arsenic good arsenic section assemblage members. The Boston Public Health Commission besides approved the research.

“Furthermore, this probe mirrors and reinforces the findings of other, akin probe performed by different organizations, including the FDA,” BU said. “Ultimately, this probe volition supply a nationalist payment by starring to better, targeted therapeutic interventions to assistance combat against aboriginal pandemics.”

The survey did not see humanized mice.

“One imaginable regulation of our survey is the usage of K18-hACE2 mice for pathogenesis studies alternatively of the primate models that person much similarities with humans,” the survey reads. “It should nevertheless beryllium noted that the K18-hACE2 rodent exemplary is simply a well-established exemplary for investigating the lethal phenotype of SARS-CoV-2.”