Starting point for a COVID drug is the 5000th protein structure decoded at BESSY II

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Mar 8, 2026 - 21:03

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Starting point for a COVID drug is the 5000th protein structure decoded at BESSY II

Many proteins have a complex architecture that enables biological functions. Molecules can bind to specific sites on a protein and alter its function. A team at HZB has now investigated the Nsp1 protein, which plays a role in infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They analyzed protein crystals, previously mixed with molecules from a fragment library, and discovered a total of 21 candidates as starting points for drug development. At the same time, they also decoded the 5000th structure at BESSY II. The study is published in the journal Acta Crystallographica Section D Structural Biology.