University of Tennessee scientists using supercomputer may have found coronavirus cure
Two researchers at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville have discovered a chemical compound that may be the cure to stop the coronavirus and prevent it from spreading, if it passes more testing.
According to WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, the two researchers have been working on the possible cure by using the “world’s most powerful computer” through a partnership between the University of Tennessee and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
The “world’s most powerful computer”, known as ‘Summit’, works as fast as 100,000 laptops at the same time.
“It’s capable of doing calculations very, very, quickly. The response to the new coronavirus needs to be quick,” said Jeremy Smith, Director of the Center for Molecular Biophysics.
Smith mentioned to WATE-TV that the work amount of work it can do in one day would take months on a normal computer.
Jeremy Smith and Micholas D. Smith, a post-doctoral fellow and soon-to-be UTL professor, began digital calculations to try to find a drug that might work against the virus.
Smith stated this process have worked in the past to find treatment for diabetes and osteoporosis.
The computer performed simulations on more than 8,000 components and narrowed it down to, what they believe, is the right sample to fight the virus. Researchers are now planning to test the digital remedy on an actual sample.
WATE-TV says the solution could be tested on an actual coronavirus sample sometime next week.
Usually, researchers’ work is submitted for peer review before publication, but if the calculations are correct and the experiment works, it would be published instantly for faster distribution.
If the work is unsuccessful, the process will start all over again with the supercomputer.
