Researchers from the University of Warsaw (UW) under the supervision of Prof. Jacek Jemielity from CeNT UW and Dr Joanna Kowalska from the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, have developed a new method of selecting compounds that counteract the formation of SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins. The results of the research may be used in the treatment of COVID-19.

Researchers from the University of Warsaw searched for substances that would be able to effectively disrupt the expression of the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They analyzed the possibility of using inhibitors of nsp14 methyltransferase- the enzyme of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The activity of this enzyme causes the multiplication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Researchers developed a fluorescence-based high-throughput screening method to select compounds capable of inhibiting viral methyltransferase. The developed method allowed to select 83 out of 7,000 compounds that may inhibit the activity of the viral enzyme.

The research results were published in the scientific journal “Antiviral Research”:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166354221001327