Sweta Singh
Name: Sweta Singh
Qualification: Masters in Biotechnology
Designation : Ph.D Research Scholar
Department: Zoology
Institute Name : Savitribai Phule Pune University
College address : Savitribai Phule Pune University,Department of Zoology,
Ganeshkhind road, Pune-411007 Maharashtra
Publication title: Journal
Paper title : Coronavirus disease 2019 drug discovery through molecular docking
Journal Name : F1000Research
Volume : 9
Issue No. : 502
Month of Publication: June
Year: 2020
Page No. : 1-15
ISSN: 2046-1402
About Sweta Singh
I have completed my masters in biotechnology from Fergusson College in 2012 with distinction and also qualified GATE. I have work experience in research institutes like IISER, Pune, National AIDS Research Institute and Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Pune. I have also completed my PhD work (finding drugs from the alternative sources for glucose homeostasis) from Savitribai Phule Pune University. During my PhD, I have learnt various wet lab techniques (biochemistry, Protein purification, Molecular Biology, animal tissue culture, Microbiology and Enzymology). I have also learnt bioinformatics such as primer designing, sequence analysis, docking studies using Vina, PyMol, PyrX and Discovery Studio and biostatistics using programme such as origin. I also know techniques including cloning (TA,TOPO and subcloning), protein expression, SDS PAGE, Agarose gel electrophoresis, western blotting and immunostaining, ELISA, qPCR, conventional PCR, RT PCR, plasmid isolation, restriction digestion, regeneration experiments, animal cell lines maintenance and passaging, media preparation, inoculation of various poultry viruses via CAM, chorio-allantoic and intra yolk sac route into the embryonated eggs and sequencing. I have worked on HIV positive samples in National AIDS Research Institute. I have recently completed a collaborative in silico project on COVID-19 with Professor Hector from Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogota, Colombia. In this study, we were able to find several small molecules such as atovaquone, fexofenadine acetate (Allegra), ethamidindole, baicalin, glycyrrhetic acid, justicidin D, euphol, and curine as the lead molecules found after docking 129 known antivirals, antimalarial, antiparasitic drugs and 992 natural products. These small molecules were found to inhibit the SARS-CoV2 virus via their docking score and interaction studies. Therefore, these small molecules could be used for the treatment of the disease. Atovaquone and fexofenadine acetate (Allegra) are the two most important small molecules found from this study in view of their existing use. Atovaquone is used against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and malaria and fexofenadine acetate (Allegra) for its anti-histamine properties. These drugs are well studied for their activities in human body, therefore, the use of this drug against this virus could prove in the speedy recovery of COVID-19 positive patients on further evaluation.