Kacper Jucha, 23’

Recently you may have heard of a fatal virus spreading across the world. Well, if you have not, it’s called Covid-19. Officially known as SARS-CoV-2, it has been ravaging the planet for the last 10 months. Fairly recently, towards the end of July and beginning of August, the supercomputer “Summit” located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory analysed 40,000 genes from 17,000 samples. Although the task of analysing 2.5 billion combinations of these genes would test the capability of the second most powerful supercomputer in the world, it would persevere. The analysing and processing lasted for over two weeks. This analysis helped bring the “bradykinin hypothesis.” The feat of analysing these combinations was in itself remarkable, but in addition the machine helped point to some new evidence which may help with explaining Covid-19 and it’s symptoms more, as well as pointing to a possible cure. This hypothesis itself refers to the bradykinin storm. The “bradykinin hypothesis” bases itself on the knowledge that Covid-19 enters the body through ACE2 receptors. The supercomputer however pointed out that Covid-19 can not only colonise ACE2 receptors, but can also manipulate them. This is better explained by Thomas Smith an AI Expert. “‘In this sense, COVID-19 is like a burglar who slips in your unlocked second-floor window and starts to ransack your house. Once inside, though, they don’t just take your stuff - they also throw open all your doors and windows so their accomplices can rush in and help pillage more efficiently’” (Euronews, Cereceda, Beswick). This statement explains the idea that Covid-19 raises the quantities of ACE2, which in turn lowers blood pressure. This counters the enzyme ACE, which allows bradykinin to ‘enter.’ Further added by the author, “Uncontrolled bradykinin causes vascular permeability and dilation as well as hypotension…” (Euronews, Cereceda, Beswick). For clarification, vascular permeability refers to the quantity of a blood vessel wall to allow the movement of small molecules, even cells, in and out of the vessel. Hypotension refers to low blood pressure which can have symptoms of dizziness. Well since this machine has found a possible reason for the severity of Covid-19, is there any chance for medication? The researchers from the Summit team further stated, “‘Further experiments identified several existing medicinal drugs that have the potential to be re-purposed to treat the Bradykinin Storm…’” (Euronews, Cereceda, Beswick). Thanks to Summit, researchers and doctors now have a better understanding of Covid-19 and even a possible cure on the way. Therefore, there is in fact a light at the end of the tunnel.

Reference Source: 

https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/05/a-supercomputer-analysed-data-on-covid-19-and-helped-come-up-with-this-new-hypothesis