Compound Interest: ChemVsCOVID

#ChemVsCOVID: How variant tracking and sequence sharing help the fight against the virus

December 17, 2021 0Comments 1Like 185Views

ChemVsCOVID infographic marking 18 Dec 2020, the date on which the Alpha variant was designated as a variant of concern. The first column discusses tracking variants. Coronavirus variants arise from mutations in the virus RNA, its genetic code. These mutations occur over time as the virus copies itself. The mutations can be used to identify variants and track their spread. As of December 2021, over 6,000,000 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences have been submitted to the shared GISAID database, from most of the countries in the world.

The second column discusses variant consequences. Most mutations in the virus genome have little or no effect on the characteristics of the virus. But some mutations in the code cause more meaningful changes, such as those affecting the spike protein. The spike protein helps the virus enter cells. It’s the main target of vaccines and our body’s immune response. Changes to the spike protein’s structure may increase the virus’s infectivity and ability to evade immune responses. — Click to enlarge

On this day a year ago, the Alpha variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was designated a variant of concern. The final graphic in the #ChemVsCOVID series with the Royal Society of Chemistry looks at how variants are tracked and what causes the differences between them.

#ChemVsCOVID: How lateral flow tests for COVID-19 work

November 6, 2021 0Comments 1Like 208Views

On this day a year ago, the UK started its piloting of mass testing in the city of Liverpool using lateral flow tests. The latest graphic in the #ChemVsCOVID series with the Royal Society of Chemistry looks at how these tests work, and how accurate are they compared to the standard PCR tests that are usually used for testing.

#ChemVsCOVID: How nucleoside analogue antivirals combat COVID

October 22, 2021 0Comments 1Like 189Views

Chem Vs COVID graphic: 22 October, FDA approves the first COVID-19 antiviral. Nucleoside analogues resemble the natural building blocks that make up virus RNA. The structural differences stop the virus RNA from being copied correctly. Remdesivir has since been shown to be ineffective, and the WHO has cautioned against its use, but another similar drug, molnupiravir, looks promising. Protease inhibitor drugs are also being investigated. — Click to enlarge

One year ago, in October 2020, the US FDA approved remdesivir: the first antiviral drug approved for COVID-19. While it’s not as effective as was first thought, similar drugs look like they could be more successful. The latest graphic in the #ChemVsCOVID series with the Royal Society of Chemistry examines how they work.

An infographic in the Chem vs COVID timeline series. On 6 July 2020, scientists called for greater recognition of the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. People infected with COVID-19 expel droplets when they talk, cough, sneeze, or even breathe. Large droplets travel short distances and can contaminate surfaces, though research has suggested this is a less significant mode of transmission than initially thought. Very small droplets dry and form aerosols (particles suspended in air) which can travel greater distances and spread the virus through the air. Chemists have produced antiviral coatings, containing metals or polymers, to reduce surface transmission. Ventilation and air purification technologies such as air filters, UVC light and photocatalytic devices can destroy the virus in the air in buildings. Overall, understanding of transmission and preventative technologies have helped limit infections, make activities safer, and improved technology to combat viruses in the future.

#ChemVsCOVID: How chemistry is helping with understanding and combatting virus transmission

July 6, 2021 0Comments 0Likes 191Views

How does COVID spread? Of all the questions about the pandemic, this seems like it would be a fairly simple one to answer. But, even several months into the pandemic, the guidance from public health organisations did not recognise the potential for COVID to be transmitted through the air. The latest edition of the Chem vs. COVID series with the Royal Society of Chemistry highlights the point at which scientists called for this mode of transmission to be more widely recognised.

#ChemVsCOVID: How were the first treatments for COVID identified?

June 16, 2021 0Comments 0Likes 168Views

An infographic titled "Chem vs COVI timeline: 16th June 2020, RECOVERY trial shows dexamethasone as first effective COVID-19 treatment". The structure of dexamethasone is shown at the centre. The left-hand side of the graphic explains how the RECOVERY trial aimed to identify existing treatments that work against COVID-19. 12 treatments were trialled at 181 sites with over 40,000 participants. As of June 2021, 3 treatments have been shown to be effective, and 4 treatments have been shown to be ineffective. The right-hand side of the infographic explains that dexamethasone has antiinflammatory and immunosuppressant effects which may explain the positive results. It's estimated that dexamethasone has saved 22,000 lives in the UK and 1,000,000 lives worldwide. The RECOVERY trial has also shown which treatments are ineffective, including hydroxychloroquine, and set a precedent for how large-scale trials can be carried out during an emergency situation. — Click to enlarge

On this day (16 June) a year ago, the first effective treatment for COVID-19 was announced. The corticosteroid drug dexamethasone, already used to treat several inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, was found to be effective for patients in a serious condition in hospital with COVID. This discovery was the product of the RECOVERY trial, a programme started in March 2020 to find COVID treatments.

#ChemVsCOVID: How did past research help COVID-19 vaccine efforts?

March 16, 2021 0Comments 0Likes 170Views

On this day in 2020, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine entered phase 1 trials, making it the first COVID vaccine to do so. This came less than a week after the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. How was it possible for this to happen so quickly? The third part of the #ChemVsCOVID series, produced with the Royal Society of Chemistry, gives a brief overview of the prior work and what the phase 1 trials looked at.