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Understanding the efficacy of existing drug molecules on COVID-19 through an interactive pathway: A deep learning-based predictive model
The faculty of Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, Prof. Rajat Kumar De has done a study to identify the potential bioactive drug candidates and allow further investigation of the molecular mechanisms of action. In this research, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the identification, diagnosis and spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus has been studied. It is observed that AI-based image processing techniques had a colossal application in the detection of COVID-19 pneumonia in patients, based on chest X-ray, chest computed tomography (CT) and chest high resolution computed tomography (HRTC) images. Further, AI-based predictive models had shown potential in the identification of effective drugs molecules, repurposing of which might help in the treatment of COVID-19 disease. Based on literature reviews and an auto- encoder-based deep learning methodology, Mozenavir, Oseltamivir and Di-hydro-artemisinin has been identified as probable drug molecules that might be effective in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 virus. The available structure of SARS-CoV-2 virus has also been analysed and through knowledge-based docking, probable binding sites for vitamin D3 and ivermectin identified. It thus opens up new avenues for repurposing of these drug molecules as potential drugs against SARS-CoV-2 viral infection.
Contact info:
rajat@isical.ac.in
Study on SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant replication and immune
evasion mechanism
In an international collaboration involving CSIR-IGIB and INSACOG consortium and others, a group of researchers examined the underlying mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 Delta variant replication and immune evasion.
The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant was first identified in Maharashtra in late 2020 and spread throughout India, outcompeting pre-existing lineages including B.1.617.1 (Kappa) and B.1.1.7 (Alpha). The study suggests that the Delta variant is six-fold less sensitive to serum neutralising antibodies from recovered individuals, and eight-fold less sensitive to vaccine-elicited antibodies as compared to wild type (WT) Wuhan-1 bearing D614G.
The Delta variant demonstrated higher replication efficiency in both airway organoid and human airway epithelial systems compared to Alpha variant. The Delta variant spike protein was able to mediate highly efficient syncytium formation that was less sensitive to inhibition by neutralising antibody as compared to WT spike. Additionally, it was observed that Delta variant had higher replication and spike mediated entry as compared to Kappa variant, which explains the dominance of Delta variant mediated infections. The study has been published in Nature.
Website link:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03944-y_reference.pdf
IIT Delhi, AIIMS New Delhi and Addverb co-develop telerobotic
ultrasound system during COVID-19 pandemic times
Research collaboration between IIT Delhi and AIIMS New Delhi, jointly developed a telerobotic ultrasound system.
VOL. IV ISSUE 10
VIGYAN PRASAR 22
COVID-19 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EFFORTS IN INDIA