Nanoparticle SARS-CoV-2 model offers faster route for COVID-19 drug discovery

Researchers from the National Center for Advancing Translations Sciences (NCATS; MD, USA) and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL; DC, USA) have modelled the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 using a fluorescent nanoparticle probe. The tool mimics how the virus infects a cell, which could help scientists in the search for treatments for COVID-19. The findings, which were published in ACS Nano, showed that the probe could be used to quickly determine the ability of biologics, drugs and compounds to block the infiltration of the novel coronavirus. Kirill Gorshkov (NCATS), first author of the study, explained: "Our goal is to create a screening system...