Sandia researchers look for genetic bullet against COVID-19

By Chris Newmarker | May 5, 2020

Sandia National Laboratories COVID-19 coronavirus CRISPR countermeasures

[Image courtesy of Sandia National Laboratories]

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are using genetic resequencing tools to find ways to stop the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biochemist Joe Schoeniger and virologist Oscar Negrete’s work involves genetically engineering a deployable antiviral countermeasure for COVID-19 using CRISPR-based technology.

“The goal is to find new ‘reloadable’ countermeasures for viral outbreaks that do not have to be re-invented every time,” Schoeniger explained. “CRISPR is a technology that allows us to address specific sequences of DNA and RNA, safely editing genes or controlling gene expression, to target viruses and improve the body’s ability to resist infection.”

Get the full story on our sister site R&D World.

Filed Under: Drug Discovery and Development, Genomics/Proteomics, Infectious Disease
Tagged With: coronavirus, Sandia National Laboratories

About The Author

Chris Newmarker

Chris Newmarker is the executive editor of WTWH Media life science's news websites and publications including MassDevice, Medical Design & Outsourcing and more. A professional journalist of 18 years, he is a veteran of UBM (now Informa) and The Associated Press whose career has taken him from Ohio to Virginia, New Jersey and, most recently, Minnesota. He’s covered a wide variety of subjects, but his focus over the past decade has been business and technology. He holds bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science from Ohio State University. Connect with him on LinkedIn or email at cnewmarker@wtwhmedia.com.