26 September 2023

CSIRO uncovers COVID’s virus tricks

Start the conversation

Researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have uncovered new clues on how COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) evades human immune detection and replicates.

In a statement, CSIRO said researchers from its data and digital specialist arm Data61, in partnership with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, had conducted the most comprehensive analysis of the 3D structure of SARS-CoV-2 to date.

“The analysis identified viral proteins that ‘mimic’ and ‘hijack’ human proteins – tactics that allow the virus to bypass cell defences and replicate,” the CSIRO said.

“The team’s analysis revealed three coronavirus proteins (NSP3, NSP13, and NSP16) that ‘mimicked’ human proteins, which the researchers believe allows the virus to better hide from the human immune system and may contribute to the variation in COVID-19 outcomes,” it said.

“The modelling also revealed five coronavirus proteins (NSP1, NSP3, spike glycoprotein, envelope protein and ORF9b protein) that the researchers say ‘hijack’ or disrupt processes in human cells, thereby helping the virus take control, complete its life cycle and spread to other cells.”

CSIRO said researchers compiled more than 2,000 different structures involving the virus’ 27 proteins and had made the structural models freely available.

The Organisation said the models could be accessed on the Aquaria-COVID website, a resource designed by the team to help the research community “zoom in” on potential new targets for future treatments or vaccines and to investigate new virus variants.

Visiting Scientist at Data61 and research lead, Sean O’Donoghue said the new website contained a level of detail of SARS-CoV-2’s structure that was not available anywhere else.

Start the conversation

Be among the first to get all the Public Sector and Defence news and views that matter.

Subscribe now and receive the latest news, delivered free to your inbox.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.