UK scientists say the coronavirus is “hit and run” and not as well shielded from the immune system as some others – meaning it could be easier to develop a vaccine.
The University of Southampton researchers who made the discovery called it “very encouraging”.
They created a model of the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, which they say shows how it disguises itself to get into our cells undetected.
The model displays the coronavirus as having several spikes sticking out from its surface, which allow it to attach to and enter cells in the human body.
Professor Max Crispin, who is leading the research, said the spikes are coated in sugars called glycans, which hide their viral proteins so to evade our immune systems.
