Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are studying the structure of the coronavirus through sonification. The process involves assigning each amino acid in the genetic make-up of the virus a single musical note and then converting the entire protein into a musical score.
To give it some flare, the research team admits to having chosen the koto, a Japanese stringed instrument, to give off a soothing effect. The study emitted a 110-minute long piece, which relaxingly sounds like a Japanese lullaby.
Finding Coronavirus' Weak Spot
The spikes that allow the virus to attach to human host cell receptors are composed of combinations of amino acids. Sonification, an artificial intelligence technology, assigns a different note to each amino acid and converts the entire protein into a score.
The amino acids either curl up into a helix or stretch out into a sheet. Scientists altered the duration and volumes of the notes to capture these features.
This project aims to find weak spots within the virus, to further aid in coming up with a cure for COVID-19. Scientists report that the musical map of the virus' protein structure may help determine areas that can be targeted by drugs and antibodies.
Read Also: Look: Coronavirus Weak Spot Discovery May Lead to Possible Vaccine
Melodies Are Better
Scientists point out that sonification is a faster and more instinctive method than traditional methods such as molecular modelling. The idea of using sonification was inspired by the same team published in ACS Nano in June 2019. Their previous study was about the translation of amino acid sequences into sound.
The method allows a means for understanding sequence patterns, mutations, and variations in the make-up. It offers a mechanism in understanding the significance of protein sequences. According to the study, it could be used to learn more about the effects of mutation through sound.
How is it Out There?
The coronavirus has infected over 1.2 million people around the world and killed over 67,000. People are fearful as the numbers keep getting higher. Many are stuck at home with their lives interrupted. The question on everyone's mind is, 'When is this going to end?'.
Scientists all over the world are desperate for the next breakthrough in finding a cure. Vaccine and treatment candidates for COVID-19 are being tested in the hope of finally winning the battle against the pandemic.
Developing new vaccines takes time. They must be carefully tested and confirmed safe by facilitating clinical trials before they can be administered to humans. According to Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the US, a vaccine is at least a year to 18 months away.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 patients are being treated with drugs such as remdesivir, favipiravir, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine. Although these medications are not clinically proven to treat COVID-19, medical professionals believe it is better than nothing.
Another treatment option for coronavirus patients is convalescent plasma therapy. Studies have shown that this treatment route could be promising as it uses antibodies from the blood of COVID-19 survivors.
