Colorado State University's research team keeps making new improvements in their search for a COVID-19 cure.

In a press release from the university, the team breaks down how the virus attacks the body's systems to begin with: through the mucous membrane of the body, particularly in the areas of the nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory system.

Are you a fan of yogurt? (Who isn't?) You might be familiar with the bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus, commonly found in foods specializing in gut health (like your favorite Yoplait snack). Using a genetically modified version of that probiotic, researchers are looking to create a vaccine that would attack what they're calling the "Achilles heel" of the coronavirus.

This fight is led by professor and head of CSU’s Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology Gregg Dean. Would you believe that his strategy for fighting the virus began after a study of cat health? From the press release, Dean says:

“The feline coronavirus is quite similar to the COVID-19 virus currently affecting humans in how it enters into a population and how you have this range of illness from nothing to very devastating. There have been numerous attempts to develop a vaccine against feline coronavirus, and they have not worked. But during the course of that research, we’ve learned a lot, and that has led us to this strategy for a human vaccine.”

Wow!

If this works, there could be several benefits from the vaccine. It would be safe, could be delivered orally, and would be relatively inexpensive. That sounds...pretty perfect!

With this new tool under their belt, the researchers over at CSU continue to work hard for our health and safety...and we thank them for it.

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