Insights into SARS-CoV-2 Biology

As part of a large collaborative effort, we have used systems biology approaches to identify host factors that participate in SARS-CoV-2 replication.  Protein-protein interactions maps between viral and host proteins and  global landscapes on protein phosphorylation changes taking place in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells were used as guides for the identification of host processes that could be targeted for antiviral therapeutic intervention. Drugs known to interact with these host processes and with known clinical profiles were tested for their ability to inhibit SARS-CV-2 replication in tissue culture.   As a result, we found several promising therapeutic candidates to be evaluated in vivo for the treatment of COVID-19.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the concept of drug re-purposing

2. Gain insights on the use of system biology approaches for the discovery of antivirals

3. Gain insights on the host-virus protein interactions contributing to SARS-CoV-2 replication