Researchers develop ‘bouncer’ drug to keep viruses out of cells

Scientists have gone platinum, creating metal “bouncers” in the hope of halting the spread of viruses.

Scientists from Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics have been developing the metal-based compounds as a potential multi-use antiviral treatment.

Lead researcher Benjamin Bailly said the drug bounded to a compound viruses used as a doorway into the cells, meaning the drug physically blocked the virus from entering the cell where it could reproduce.

”It acts a bit like a bouncer at the door of a nightclub, it blocks the virus from entering, and then gives the immune system time to catch up with the virus and…