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Exosomal mimetics of COVID-19 as viral models and therapeutics [Funder: MI4]

Grant number: unknown

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19

  • Funder

    Other Funders (Canada)

  • Principal Investigator

    Rak, Janusz

  • Research Location

    Canada

  • Lead Research Institution

    McGill University

  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A

  • Research Category

    Pathogen: natural history, transmission and diagnostics

  • Research Subcategory

    Pathogen morphology, shedding & natural history

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Not Applicable

  • Vulnerable Population

    Not applicable

  • Occupations of Interest

    Not applicable

Abstract

Understanding how the coronavirus infects the body could help us prevent it. Dr. Janusz Rak and his team are harnessing vesicles, small cellular structures that move biological materials from one cell to another inside the body, to understand how the SARS-CoV-2 virus infects the body. The SARS-CoV-2 virus moves around the body similarly to vesicles. It attaches to cells, allowing the virus content to enter them. Eventually, enough cells are infected to cause illness. By understanding how the coronavirus 'pretends' natural vesicles to infect the body, and how to stop its penetration into cells, the team will bring us one step closer to understanding how to stop the virus from spreading throughout the population.