A research team led by Dr. Grant Hansman of the German
Cancer Research Center has discovered nano-85, which is a “nano body,” or a smaller and more stable
antibody, that can bind to norovirus-like particles (VLPs) and
potentially break the virus apart. Because noroviruses undergo constant
evolution and are difficult to develop therapies for, nano-85’s ability to
recognize many different VLPs from different strains of virus make it a promising
candidate as a diagnostic tool. Researchers found that nano-85 was able to
detect the virus in 1/3 of the stool samples it was tested on and are hopeful
that it may become an aid in diagnosis after further development.
Additionally, while examining the interaction between
nano-85 and a specific part of VLP known as the protruding (P) domain, which is
akin to a flexible spike, Hansman was unable to find an intact VLP, leading
him to believe that nano-85 was causing the VLPs to break apart.
Norovirus infections are generally only treated by rehydration of the patient.
If Hansman is correct in saying that nano-85 is responsible for viral
disassembly, then this could result in many new leads for antiviral therapy.
German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ). "New tool for detecting, destroying norovirus." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 March 2015. .
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