RESEARCH: COVID-19
FOLDING PROJECT #13459 PROFILE

This project uses computer simulations to find promising drug candidates against the COVID-19 virus. Chemists then make and test these compounds in the lab. The goal is to develop a cheap, effective treatment for COVID-19 that's freely available to everyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnyaAmM1nhE These projects are rapid sprints of relative alchemical free energy calculations for prioritizing compound designs from chemists from the COVID Moonshot for synthesis.

Top-scoring molecules will be made and tested in a laboratory by the COVID Moonshot as it works to develop an open science patent-free inexpensive therapy for COVID-19 that shuts down the essential SARS-CoV-2 main viral protease.

The COVID Moonshot has already made and tested hundreds of compounds, and is pursuing several good lead series.

You can see their progress in real time here:
https://covid.postera.ai/covid/submissions/compounds To learn more about what the Moonshot is and how it came about, you can read our blog post or watch this video. In addition to helping us prioritize compounds, you can help us purchase more compounds for synthesis at cost from Enamine by sponsoring our GoFundMe page for patent-free open science COVID-19 drug discovery! This is a radical new approach to drug discovery that aims to rapidly produce inexpensive new therapies. SARS-CoV-2 main viral potease (Mpro) with ligand bound, from the RCSB.

COVID Moonshot

A project to rapidly develop an inexpensive COVID-19 therapy.

The COVID Moonshot is a collaborative effort to quickly create and test affordable treatments for COVID-19. It emphasizes open science principles by making research findings and data publicly accessible. This allows researchers worldwide to contribute and accelerate the development process.

Compound

A chemical substance with a specific structure and potential biological activity.

In drug discovery, a compound refers to a molecule being investigated for its potential medicinal properties. Chemists synthesize various compounds and test them to see if they interact with specific biological targets (like viruses or bacteria) and produce a desired effect.

SARS-CoV-2

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 disease. It's a type of coronavirus that primarily affects the respiratory system, causing symptoms like fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

Viral Protease

An enzyme produced by viruses that is essential for viral replication.

Viral proteases are crucial proteins made by viruses. They act like molecular scissors, cutting other viral proteins into smaller pieces needed to build new virus particles. Inhibiting these proteases can stop the virus from replicating.

Open Science

A movement promoting transparency and collaboration in scientific research.

Open science advocates for making research findings, data, and methods publicly accessible. This allows for greater transparency, collaboration, and faster progress in scientific discovery.

Enamine

A company that provides a wide range of chemical compounds for research purposes.

Enamine is a major supplier of chemicals used in scientific research. They offer a vast catalog of compounds, including those needed for drug discovery and development.