Breaking the Basics: Coronavirus 101

Researchers are working hard to understand the coronavirus to push out a safe vaccine. The most crucial information about the virus is its anatomy and infection, where an accurate vaccine can be modeled from. Let’s explore the key knowledge in both anatomy and infection of the coronavirus in Breaking the Basics, an easy way to learn about the pandemic.

The structure of the coronavirus consists of a protein shell, spike proteins embedded in the shell, and genetic information. The protein shell serves to protect the genetic information, information that will be inserted into a host cell. The spike proteins play significant roles in laying the groundwork for the infection process.

Coronavirus spike proteins are composed of two subunits: S1 and S2. The S1 subunit is responsible for attaching to the host cell, the cell it wants to infect. The S2 subunit then fuses the host cell to the virus so the genetic contents can flood in. Once that material is inside, it disrupts the cell’s normal function by forcing it to create more coronaviruses. 

Boom. Infection complete.

Scientists think that the study of spike proteins and virus infection can aid in developing a vaccine. Why? Because a vaccine can be a tool that targets the infection mechanisms and prevents them. If scientists could create a vaccine that targets the spike proteins specifically, then the virus will not be able to infect the host cell. 

More research is necessary to create a vaccine, but lots of the basic information is there to begin the next steps. As the public arms itself with more of that information, our society can understand the virus better and be more confident in the progress that scientific leaders are making, all contributing to a quicker, more efficient return to normalcy.