Mapping the lipid envelope composition of SARS-CoV-2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Title: Mapping the lipid envelope composition of SARS-CoV2 for reducing transmission, thrombosis and inflammation
IRAS ID
299479
Contact name
David Thomas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN54053617
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
While the major focus is in the development of vaccines and antiviral therapies targeting proteins or the genomic “machinery” of SARS-CoV2, there has been little or no research on the "outer" lipid membrane of the virus and its composition is unknown. We will for the first time characterise the lipid membrane by analysing virus recovered from the saliva of patients with COVID 19.
There are two important reasons to undertake this work.
1. The envelope represents a major component of the viral particle, and it is highly sensitive to chemical disruption. Its structure will directly influence the potency of disruptors that could be used to reduce transmission. This information will aid design of direct non-toxic anti-viral strategies.
2. When patient cells become inflamed, there may be changes in the virus membrane composition including incorporation of chemicals derived from the patient's own inflammatory cells which increase damage and these . may be responsible for inducing "clotting". Understanding the patient-derived may help us work out pathways to limit the severe inflammation seen clinically.REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/1189
Date of REC Opinion
29 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion