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​Dr. Juan Perilla and Dr. Jodi Hadden-Perilla have just received an NSF RAPID award for Biophysical characterization of the native SARS-CoV-2 virion by atomistic simulations, this is the pathogen that causes COVID-19.
Research into the molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 is now essential to
provide understanding of viral entry and infection of human cells, a
first step in developing novel drugs and vaccines to combat SARS-CoV-2.
Dr. Perilla and Dr. Hadden-Perilla's research funded by this award will enable the
development of an all-atom molecular dynamic simulation of the virus
that includes realistic predictions of the envelope, membrane and spike
proteins of the virus, as well as simulations of the complex surfaces of
the human cells that the virus infects. This research could have
immediate impact on steps taken to halt the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Simulation results will be broadly and quickly disseminated to ensure
impact of the research.
This RAPID award is cofounded by the Molecular Biophysics Program in the
Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences and the EPSCoR Program.