IIT-BHU scientists' technology to check drug resistance of viruses

Varanasi: Scientists at Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) have developed new framework to help understand how virus evolves to evade drugs and treatments. While the technology focuses primarily on Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), it can also be applied to other pathogens and infectious diseases.

The study, led by assistant professor at the School of Biochemical Engineering, Aditya Kumar Padhi, was published in the Biophysical Journal. The ‘integrated multi-scale computational framework' combines several advanced computer-based methods including protein design, machine learning, hybrid QM/MM, and multi-scale simulations. It helps identify mutations or changes in viral proteins leading to drug resistance.

The discovery comes at a time when Covid-19 cases are being reported. As the virus continues to mutate rapidly, the framework can help anticipate how it might resist treatment in future. While the current study focuses on resistance to sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody used against SARS-CoV-2, the framework is applicable to other diseases too, including cancer and urinary tract infections. The team members of Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design (LCBD) contributed significantly to understanding resistance mechanisms against several other antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Padhi said there were plans to make this framework freely available to scientists and doctors worldwide to support global fight against drug resistance. The research also aligns with India's national health initiatives, such as Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and National Programme on Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). "We developed this framework to address complex healthcare problems like antimicrobial resistance using integrated computational methods. Its modular design makes it suitable for a wide range of biomedical and healthcare challenges," said Padhi.

IIT-BHU Director prof Amit Patra said, "Such advanced technologies reflect the scientific leadership of Indian institutions like IIT- BHU in research and innovation, particularly in tackling infectious diseases and major public health challenges. This also significantly contributes to the objectives of the key programme of the govt of India."