Molly Smith, El Paso Times Published 8:19 a.m. MT April 9, 2020 | Updated 10:05 a.m. MT April 9, 2020<\/p>\n
How does coronavirus enter the body, and why does it become fatal for some compared to just a cough or fever for others? USA TODAY<\/p>\n
As the worldwide coronavirus death toll climbs daily, Dr. Suman Sirimulla feels the pressure that comes with developing a vaccine in real time in the midst of a pandemic.<\/p>\n
That pressure, he said, only motivates him to spend as many hours as he can in the lab.<\/p>\n
Sirimulla, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, is working to develop the molecular structure of a drug that would target the novel coronavirus, which causes the respiratory illness COVID-19. To do that, he and his team are using a supercomputer to screen billions of molecular compoundsto find ones that could be a match.<\/p>\n
\"We have some sophisticated algorithms ... where we can design molecules in such a way that they have optimal properties,\" Sirimulla said. Those properties include reduced toxicity so a vaccine has fewer side effects.<\/p>\n
Without the use of a supercomputer, screening billions of molecules would take millions of years.<\/p>\n
UTEP's Dr. Suman Sirimulla, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, is working on a vaccine against the coronavirus from his lab.(Photo: Mark Lambie\/El Paso Times)<\/p>\n
Sirimulla and his team, which consists of UTEP faculty and graduate students, as well as University of New Mexico researchers, believe they can develop a vaccine or antiviral drug within the next 15 to 24 months. While that mightseem like a long timeto a nonscientist, that's actually incredibly fast. It typically takes up to 10 years to develop a new drug.<\/p>\n
More: UTEP to assist El Paso health department laboratory test COVID-19 specimens<\/p>\n
To speed up the process, the team hasenlisted the help of the general public, who can volunteer to run Sirimulla's application on their personal computers through BOINC@TACC.<\/p>\n
\"Because of the urgency, we're trying to use all of the resources we have right now,\" he said.<\/p>\n
UTEP's Dr. Suman Sirimulla, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, is working on a vaccine against the coronavirus from his lab.(Photo: Mark Lambie\/El Paso Times)<\/p>\n
When researchers find a molecular compound that could inhibit the viral proteins in the coronavirus, UNM's lab, which has samples of the virus, will test its efficacy in combating the disease.<\/p>\n
From there, the drug would be tested in animals, and if effective, be put to the test in human clinical trials.<\/p>\n
Even if other scientists develop a vaccine before them, Sirimulla and his team will continue their research. Multiple vaccines will be neededbecause a virus has multiple strains, some of which will become vaccine-resistant.<\/p>\n
\"We need multiple fronts and vaccine,\" hesaid.<\/p>\n
More: Coronavirus cases in El Paso and Texas: Daily statistics on cases, deaths in state<\/p>\n
Molly Smith may be reached at 915-546-6413;mksmith@elpasotimes.com; @smithmollykon Twitter.<\/p>\n
Read or Share this story: https:\/\/www.elpasotimes.com\/story\/news\/education\/2020\/04\/09\/covid-19-utep-researchers-use-supercomputer-seek-coronavirus-vaccine\/2970007001\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Originally posted here:<\/p>\n UTEP researchers are working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine with the help of a supercomputer - El Paso Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Molly Smith, El Paso Times Published 8:19 a.m. MT April 9, 2020 | Updated 10:05 a.m. MT April 9, 2020 How does coronavirus enter the body, and why does it become fatal for some compared to just a cough or fever for others Continue reading