Coronavirus continues to mutate, with new variants causing a rapid increase in infection cases in many parts of the world in recent months. According to reports, the new JN.1 sub-variant that emerged due to the mutation in Omicron's BA.2.86 variant not only increased the risk of infection globally but also caused the risk of serious diseases in some people.
At present, the pace of infection has slowed down a bit due to this variant, however, scientists say that there is a constant risk of new mutations in the virus, due to which everyone needs to remain cautious. The researchers found that the fast pace at which JN.1 infection has been seen this time has further increased the risks of new variants in the future, in such a situation, we need to remain constantly alert to prevent infection.
Researchers in Bengaluru have found an effective way to combat possible new variants, which can help in protecting against the risks of corona in the future. The research report has been published in the Frontiers of Immunology journal.
Preparation to compete with possible future variants
Scientists at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), Unilever Limited, and the National Center for Biological Sciences (NCBS) have made a discovery that could help fight current and possible future variants of SARS-CoV-2. A statement issued on Wednesday said that this time the research team has focused on enhancing the body's antiviral defense instead of targeting the constantly changing virus proteins.
Emphasis on increasing the body's strength against the virus
To combat the new variants of Corona, this time researchers have especially focused on increasing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMP, a substance produced in the human body, helps disrupt the fatty outer membrane of viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers found that if emphasis is placed on increasing AMP, then virus infection and its transmission in the body can be prevented.
Scientists discovered a new formulation
Based on these discoveries, researchers invented a formulation that can manage infection with the new variant. Professor Manisha Inamdar, Director of Instem, says, that through this discovery, it may be easier to combat the upcoming variants of Corona in the future.
Vibhav Sanjgiri, Executive Director at Hindustan Unilever Limited, has said that this discovery will be included in everyday products like soap and sanitizer, using which the virus can be fought.
What do researchers say?
In conclusion, the researchers said, this discovery marks the addition of a powerful weapon to our arsenal against COVID-19 variants. Including this formulation in daily use, items can help people deal with infectious diseases by increasing immunity. With coronavirus continuing to mutate and studies suspecting that more variants may emerge in the future, given these risks, we need to have a long-term safety net.
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