The use of a fast platform to design and develop anti-SARS-CoV-2 peptides for a therapeutic intervention of COVID-19

In this project, we are evaluating the use of an alternative mode of communication between proteins to design peptides with therapeutic potentials. Proteins generally interact with one another to realize their functions. They do this through physical interactions. It has recently been discovered that some proteins interact via a non-classical manner and using small stretches of amino acids. As a proof of concept, we showed that this approach can be used to make peptides against yeast proteins. The ability of this method to design peptides against pharmaceutically important targets requires further investigations. Here, we plan to use the proposed approach to design peptides that can interrupt protein communications that are important to human health. As a case study we propose to design peptides that can interrupt the communication between the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of COVID-19 and the human host cell.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ashkan Golshani

Student:

Partner:

Turnstone Biologics

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Carleton University

Program: