--- title: "New Map of Key Coronavirus Protein Could Lead to Vaccine" description: "A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have mapped a key protein of the coronavirus, also known as SARS-Cov-2, that’s used to invade human cells, LiveScience reports. This newly mapped molecular structure could open the doors to finding a vaccine within 18 to 24 months according to the researchers. The scientists […]" date: "2020-02-20" modified: "2020-02-20" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/new-map-key-coronavirus-protein-vaccine" categories: - "Health & Medicine" - "Medical" - "Pathogens" - "Viruses" tags: - "coronavirus" - "covid-19" - "vaccine" - "virus" --- # New Map of Key Coronavirus Protein Could Lead to Vaccine ![Researchers from University of Texas at Austin have mapped a key protein of the coronavirus that it uses to invade human cells, which could lead to vaccine.]() *\Image: Jason McLellan/Univ. of Texas at Austin\* A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have mapped a key protein of the Wuhan coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, [*Live Science* reports](), which the virus uses to invade human cells. This newly mapped molecular structure could open the doors to developing a vaccine, according to the researchers — though they caution that the process could drag out for 18 to 24 months. The scientists figured out the shape of a "spike" protein the deadly virus uses to invade cells. The protein binds to human cell receptors and fuses with their membranes, allowing the genome of the virus to enter and spread its infection. University of Texas associate professor Jason McLellan, senior author of [the paper]() published in the journal *Science* on Wednesday, used the [recently mapped genome]() of the virus to identify the specific genes that make up the spike protein. After growing the spike proteins by injecting them into mammalian cells in a lab, the team created a detailed 3D blueprint of it using a technique called "cryogenic electron microscopy." Now that they understand the structure of the spike protein, the hope is that scientists will find ways to stop the virus from invading human cells. In fact, according to McLellan, the spike protein itself could potentially be turned into a vaccine and allow humans to make antibodies against it. "It's impressive that these researchers were able to get the structure so quickly," Aubree Gordon, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan who was not involved in the research, told *Live Science*. "It's a very important step forward and may help in the development of a vaccine against SARS-COV-2." McLellan and his team have send their blueprint of the spike protein to dozens of research groups around the world to speed up the discovery of a possible vaccine. ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()