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Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cell cultures by peptide-conjugated morpholino- - (Oct/01/2020 )

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cell cultures by peptide-conjugated morpholino-oligomers.
Rosenke K, Leventhal S, Moulton H, Hatlevig S, Hawman D, Feldmann H, Stein DA.
bioRxiv. 2020; doi:10.1101/2020.09.29.319731

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.09.29.319731v1

This is early-stage research, carried out in cultured cells; these compounds will not be available for pharmaceutical use anytime soon.  The compounds were effective against viral replication without significant toxicity to the cultured cells. "Four of the five PPMO designed to target SARS-CoV-2 RNA were highly effective, suppressing viral titers by 3-5 log10 at the 48 and 72 hr time-points (Figure 1B-M)."  Studies on these compounds will continue. This is a preprint, not yet peer-reviewed.  The work was done at NIH's Rocky Mountain Laboratories using materials conjugated in Hong Moulton's lab at Oregon State University.

-Jon Moulton-

Interesting.

 

Why post an article that has not gone through peer review?  You're apparently related to an author?

-Phil Geis-

I am, and am familiar with the work.  Hong Moulton is my wife.  Preprints are published to disseminate information prior to peer-review; that is the purpose of that form of publication.  COVID research is of general interest now, but as this is a biology forum the information might reach someone who finds it directly useful.  I do not think that this is inappropriate to post.

-Jon Moulton-

Disagree.  Publishing preprints on casual biology chat boards is inappropriate - esp another implied covid treatment based only on in vitro data..  Please recall, this is NOT a publication.  Preprints have not  gone through peer review - and most submissions are in fact rejected - up to 90% in some journals.

This sounds more personal than scientific.

-Phil Geis-

The assays were done at NIH Rocky Mountain Laboratories. I consider that a reliable source. However, I understand that you don't like preprints.

-Jon Moulton-

Preprints to appropriate audience that calibrates to potential publication have some use.  I understand you appreciate the lab - and your wife's work.

-Phil Geis-

Preprint no more.

Rosenke K, Leventhal S, Moulton H, Hatlevig S, Hawman D, Feldmann H, Stein DA. Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cell cultures by peptide-conjugated morpholino-oligomers. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2020;:dkaa460 doi:10.1093/jac/dkaa460
https://academic.oup.com/jac/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jac/dkaa460/5961620
 

-Jon Moulton-

Hong's recent Sars-CoV-2 paper caught the attention of the life science media; here's an article on the antiviral PPMO work.

Peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vero cells.
Ramya Dwivedi, Ph.D.
News Medical (Life Sciences) 2020 Nov 12
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20201112/Peptide-conjugated-morpholino-oligomers-effectively-inhibit-SARS-CoV-2-in-vero-cells.aspx

-Jon Moulton-

Thank you. This is the approriate way to communicate to an audience largel unsophisticated re. the report. Suggest you also find a more relevant audience to advertise.

-Phil Geis-