Finding a perfect vaccine for a virus is problematic, because the organism is constantly evolving and improving. A novel approach is now on the cards thanks to work at Arizona State University. Jeff Jensen and colleague Michael Lynch may have turned the contest on its head. That was when they asked each other, could we beat Covid-19 at its own game?
Could Evolutionary Theory Beat Covid-19 at Its Own Game?
Some of the best ideas are simple except it may take a genius to think them up. Jeff Jensen and Michael Lynch want to turn the virus’ secret weapon back on itself to create a mutational meltdown. Their theory is simple at first sight. Boost the virus mutation rate with the intent of causing harmful genetic errors.
However, this is not entirely new science. That’s because Michael Lynch considered using mutational meltdown to prevent small or endangered populations becoming extinct decades ago. This is a real intriguing thought. Could we beat Covid-19 at its own game and cause the viral population in a diseased person to collapse? The following chart illustrates the principle:
Muller’s Ratchet
Could We Extinguish a Population through a ‘Ruinous Accumulation?
The researchers hope to use their method to send viral populations into extinction through a ‘ruinous accumulation of viral mutations’. They regard this as a ‘great example of repurposing evolution’ to solve practical problems according to Biodesign Institute.
Their mutational meltdown could also become a blueprint for treating a wide variety of other infectious diseases according to the scientific journal Heredity. The team earlier demonstrated proof of their concept. That was when they showed how sufficient quantities of the drug favipiravir could cause mutational meltdown of Influenza A virus.
Richard Harth writing for Biodesign Institute at their university cautions more research is necessary to determine whether the strategy is safe. Only then should we tentatively unleash it on the virus, to see if we could beat Covid-19 at its own game.
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Preview Image: Mutational Pathway to Extinction
