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Spike protein images for the novel coronavirus (A) and neutralizing antibodies from SARS (B) and one neutralizing antibody from MERS (C). (provided by Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology)

The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology has published research findings that could be used to develop antibodies for treating COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The institute’s CEVI Fusion Research Group announced on Mar. 4 that protein structure prediction testing had shown that two neutralizing antibodies from SARS and one neutralizing antibody from MERS, all of which had previously been identified, could bind to the coronavirus’s spike protein.

Neutralizing antibodies are those that can disable viruses. The spike protein is the tool that the coronavirus uses to infiltrate cells in the human body.

The research team carried out their research using information about the coronavirus’s spike protein published on bioRxiv, an open-access online journal focusing on biology.

The researchers announced that their findings are expected to accelerate the development of antibodies and a vaccine for treating COVID-19. Their research results were published in the Bio Archives on Feb. 27.

By Kwak No-pil, senior staff writer

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