Congratulations to CRRR collaborator, Leah Reznikov, PhD!
Dr. Reznikov and co-PI Dr. David Ostrov were awarded CTSI Rapid-Response Translational Research Funding for their pilot project, “Targeted disruption of ACE2-SARS-CoV-2 interactions using small molecules.” This study is part of a university-wide effort to better understand and defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drs. Reznikov and Ostrov propose to decrease SARS-CoV-2 entry into human airway cells through use of FDA-approved small molecules and biologics that disrupt SARS-CoV-2 binding to ACE2. Their preliminary studies have identified seven drug candidates through molecular docking and analysis of ACE2 catalytic activity. These molecules are expected to prevent binding of SARS-Cov-2 to ACE2 and, therefore, might have significant immediate impact.