Researchers from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore have developed a new class of artificial peptides or mini-proteins, that can inactivate the viruses like SARS-CoV-2.

• In the new study, the team has exploited the approach to design miniproteins that can bind to, and block the spike protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This binding was further characterized extensively by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and other biophysical methods.
• These miniproteins are helical, hairpin-shaped peptides, each capable of pairing up with another of its kind, forming what is known as a dimer. Each dimeric ‘bundle’ presents two ‘faces’ to interact with two target molecules.
• The miniprotein was also found to be thermostable – it can be stored for months at room temperature without deteriorating.