ACE2-from fly hearts to the heart of apandemic

Abstract

With particular relevance to the COVID-19 pandemic, Josef Penninger will presenthow work on ACE2 and its role in lung failure, from the discovery in fly heartdevelopment to the first mutant mice and a fundamental understanding of SARSCoronavirus. This data provided the first molecular underpinning why the firstSARS-CoV and now SARS-CoV2 causing COVID-19 became "dangerous viruses". ACE2 isthe critical receptor for SARS-Cov-2 and has taken center stage in globalresearch and drug and vaccine development. This work has also been translatedinto ACE2-based drugs as rational and universal prevention and treatmentstrategies for COVID-19.