Viral Cell Entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus - NanoBiology Course 2020 - Monday Group
Channel: Maastricht4Imaging
Date: 02/11/2020

In this video students of the Maastricht Science Program NanoBiology Course 2020, show their explanation of the SARS-CoV-2 viral cell entry. Using CellPAINT, UCFS Chimera and their creativity they explain the nanobiology of how the SARS-CoV-2 virion can enter the cell.

Viruses are not living things. They are just complicated assemblies of molecules, in particular macromolecules such as proteins, oligonucleotides, combined with lipids and carbohydrates. A virus cannot function or reproduce by itself. It needs a host cell.  

When a virus enters the host cell, a series of chemical reactions occur that lead to the production of new viruses. All these steps are subject of the other Group Assignments you have not chosen for.  Why did you choose Cell Entry? Maybe you see the other steps to be less relevant? Indeed, without cell entry there would not be any issue with the production of new viruses in the first place.

Occasionally, viruses can cross from animals to humans. What is known about the origins of SARS-CoV-2 and what changed so that it could cross species? Before, it was not able to enter human host cells, but now it is. Virologists analyse the sequence of the virus genetic information when investigating these questions. When scientist started to scrutinize the genome of SARS-CoV-2 and the limited set of proteins it codes for, they directly zoomed in on those that play a role in the Cell Entry.  Which proteins are involved, how different are they compared to other members of the coronae family, how do their structures look like, and how do they interact with receptors on the surface of the host cell? A virus should not only attach to the surface of a host cell, but also trigger certain steps to allow it to be absorbed into the host cell. Are these steps unique to SARS-CoV2  or are they similar to other corona-viruses, such as SARS and MERS?  What can we learn from the similarities and how should we act upon its differences?

The current COVID-19 pandemic might not come to a halt until we find a vaccine. Finding good and safe vaccines that can be mass produced is a tremendous task. For example, the HIV virus is thought to have jumped species (monkey to human) sometime in the seventies, and, despite decades of research, we still do not have a vaccine against it (fortunately, there is good medication instead).  The BCG vaccine which is primarily used against tuberculosis, solved a huge humanity crisis since its first use in 1921, however, it also has severe shortcomings. Despite a century of research, no real effective alternatives have been found up to now. Still, with a growing deep understanding of molecular steps of the Cell Entry of SARS-CoV-2, combined with unprecedented global efforts, it looks like the Cell Entry step seems to contain the most promising elements on the basis of which new vaccines are being developed and tested right now.