A new Covid vaccination nasal spray is on its way

As the Covid virus continues to evolve, experts are afraid it might be capable of evading our vaccines by throwing up mutations.

In its present form, it is using only one mode of entry into the body via a spike protein on the virus. It attaches itself to our ACE receptors and it’s in.

But Covid has two more proteins that can bind to our cells and infect the body through other routes.

Professor Michael Jewett, of the University of Washington School of Medicine, US, explained that Covid’s spike protein has three binding sites, and current antibody therapies may block only one of them.

Prof Jewett added: “To enter the body, the spike protein and ACE2 receptor engage in a handshake. Our antiviral blocks this handshake and, as a bonus, has resistance to viral escape.”

His ground-breaking treatment contains potent proteins which target the virus’s weak spots and prevent it from infecting the body.

The researchers used a novel way of hunting for new treatments, employing a supercomputer to design proteins which target other vulnerable sites on the surface of Covid-19. At the same time, these proteins, labelled mini-binders, were designed to deal with not only the virus’s spike protein but also the other two sites.

Prof Jewett said: “Our mini-binders sit on top of the spike protein like a tripod and block all three. The interaction between the spike protein and antivirals is among the tightest known in biology.

“When we put the spike protein and our antiviral therapeutic in a test tube together for a week, they stayed connected and never fell apart.” Best of all, the treatment reduced Covid symptoms and prevented infections in mice when researchers tested it in a nasal spray.

Prof Jewett’s new treatment is now moving on to human clinical trials after scientists proved it was effective in rodents.

At the moment, Covid cannot infect the body without binding to the ACE2 receptor, and with the other entry points covered, the treatment will work against new variants that may arise in the future.

The virus-hunting proteins could be an alternative to vaccines as they can be produced on a large scale making them far more cost-effective to manufacture. They’re also stable at high temperatures.

Further good news is the new drug could be produced as a nasal spray, which you would only need to use only once.

Perhaps it could even be made available over the chemist’s counter!

It may come as no surprise to readers that I loved treading the boards in school plays when I was young. Sometimes a little too much.

My starring role as spoiled brat Veruca Salt in my school’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 1979 was remembered as one of the “standout” performances of the night.

Mainly because I fell off the stage when the river of “water” prop I was accidentally standing on – made from sheets sewn together and painted with waves – was unceremoniously tugged by stage hands to make it move. I got caught up in the waves and tumbled down into the recorder section of the school musicans.

But like a trouper, I got to my feet – threw my teddy bear up at Willy Wonka – and yelled, “How dare you try and get rid of me. I’ll tell my rich daddy,” to grand applause from the audience. No doubt relieved an ambulance didn’t need to be called and extend the tediously long three-hour show even further.

Sadly, The Dark Lord doesn’t seem to be following in my famous footsteps, and is refusing to take part in her school show, Matilda, this year. I’ve been trying to encourage her as she’s very musical, but the teenage fear of showing herself up is strong with that one.

I tried to get to the bottom of why she won’t join the cast, and she sniffed, “Matilda’s lame.” No doubt millionaire musical director Tim Minchin will be heartbroken to hear that.

As I won’t get to enjoy The Dark Lord’s show this summer, I’d love to hear about your school play stories – tell me about your bids for stardom… or having to play third triangle in the orchestra.

■ Email me at siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk or write to Community Corner, PO Box 791, Winchester SO23 3RP.

The trail of terror and devastation left by Russian soldiers in Ukraine has horrified the world.

But nobody could fail to be impressed by the tenacity and bravery of the Ukrainian people and their soldiers.

Against all the odds, they hold back the tanks and live to fight another day.

Their struggle has moved Ricky Clark, who lives in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, to paint one of the injured soldiers printed in this paper.

He writes: “I saw this brave soldier of war in the Mirror, and was struck by the defiant look in his eye.

“I hope to sell this picture to raise money for Ukrainian charities.”

■ Calling all artists, photographers and crafters – send snaps of your work to siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk and don’t forget to include a selfie, your age and location, and tell us what inspires you.