Bristol continues battling coronavirus as cases on the rise

As coronavirus cases in the University of Bristol surpass one thousand between students and staff, two student accommodations have gone into lockdown and lessons are being moved to online platforms rather than face to face meetings. However, hopes for a cure to COVID-19 remain high, as an international team of scientists, led by experts in Bristol, claims to have reached a major breakthrough.

The investigation team was composed of Bristol’s Faculty of Life Sciences research groups, Professor Peter Cullen from the School of Biochemistry, Dr. Yohei Yamauchi, associate Professor and virologist at the School of Molecular Medicine, and senior researcher from Cullen Lab, Dr. Boris Simonetti. These researchers studied how the virus uses a protein called neuropolin-1 to infect human cells and facilitating its viral infection when it interacts with the Spike protein found in coronavirus. Following from this discovery, the researchers state that ‘by using monoclonal antibodies - lab-created proteins that resemble naturally occurring antibodies - or a selective drug that blocks the interaction, we have been able to reduce SARS-CoV-2’s ability to infect human cells.’

With this new information, the research team has suggested that the cure for coronavirus will be an effective vaccine and anti-viral therapeutics, which will tackle the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2’s protein Spike and the neuropolin-1 protein found in the human cells. This approach will work on preparing our bodies to fight or resist this interaction of proteins, and consequently improving our immune system. This discovery could be a steppingstone towards finding a cure and treatment for coronavirus, and ultimately, beating the pandemic which has affected people’s lives globally.

The government continues to implement safety guidelines as cases rise to keep the public safe and new business models and investment plans have been put in place for different businesses around Bristol, including Art and Culture industries and restaurants. Anyhow, until a cure or vaccine is developed, we will continue to be trapped in the never-ending cycle of being locked down, going out for a while, and having to go into lockdown again. The lockdown itself is not a solution to Coronavirus, but rather a way to contain people in their homes and avoid its spread. Nonetheless, many people prefer to ignore these measures and risk their lives at the expense of others, causing infected cases to surpass June’s figures and rumours of another national lockdown grow as Wales announces it will enter a firebreak lockdown and cases around England rise.

By Victoria Cornelio