General
Scientists develop mechanism to inactivate Covid by blocking entry to cells
Scientists have developed a design of a new class of synthetic peptides that can not only block the entry of SARS-CoV-2 virus entry into cells but also clump the virions (virus particles) together, reducing their ability to infect.
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with researchers from the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, have made use of this approach to design peptides that can bind to and block the spike protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virus, said the Ministry of Science and Technology on Wednesday.
This binding was further characterised extensively by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and other biophysical methods. This novel approach provides an alternative mechanism to render viruses like SARS-CoV-2 inactive, promising a new class of peptides as antivirals.
The research was supported under the Covid-19 IRPHA call of SERB Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The designed peptides are helical, hairpin-shaped, each capable of pairing up with another of its kind, forming what is known as a dimer. Each dimeric ‘bundle’ presents two ‘faces’ to interact with two target molecules.
In the study published in Nature Chemical Biology, the researchers hypothesised that the two faces would bind to two separate target proteins locking all four in a complex and blocking the targets’ action. The team decided to test their hypothesis by using a peptide called SIH-5 to target the interaction between the Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 protein, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor in human cells.
The S protein is a trimer – a complex of three identical polypeptides. Each polypeptide contains a Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) that binds to the ACE2 receptor on the host cell surface. This interaction facilitates viral entry into the cell.
The SIH-5 peptide was designed to block the binding of the RBD to human ACE2. When a SIH-5 dimer encountered an S protein, one of its faces bound tightly to one of the three RBDs on the S protein trimer, and the other face bound to an RBD from a different S protein.
This ‘cross-linking’ allowed the SIH-5 to block both S proteins at the same time. Under cryo-EM, the S proteins targeted by SIH-5 appeared to be attached head-to-head, and the spike proteins were being forced to form dimers.
Subsequently, the researchers showed that SIH-5 inactivated the viruses efficiently by cross-linking the spike proteins from different virus particles.
The team consisting of B Khatri, I Pramanick, SK Malladi, RS Rajmani, P Ghosh, N Sengupta, R Varadarajan, S Dutta and J Chatterjee from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), R Rahisuddin, S Kumar, N Kumar, S Kumaran and RP Ringe from CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, tested the peptide for toxicity in mammalian cells in the lab and found it to be safe.
When hamsters were dosed with the peptide and subsequently exposed to a high dose of SARS-CoV-2, they showed decreased viral load as well as much less cell damage in the lungs compared to hamsters exposed only to the virus, demonstrating the promise of this class of peptides as antivirals.
The researchers believe that with minor modifications and peptide engineering, this lab-made miniprotein could inhibit other protein-protein interactions as well.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Water Supply Disrupted in Several Areas After Major Pipeline Leak on Dr. E. Moses Road

Mumbai, May 7, 2026: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has reported a major leak in a 1650 mm diameter main water pipeline located on Dr. E. Moses Road, near Famous Studio. The leakage was detected late on Wednesday night (May 6), prompting immediate repair work on a war footing by the Water Works (Maintenance/City) Department.
Due to the scale and complexity of the repair operation, water supply has been completely shut down in parts of D, E, and G/South wards on Thursday, May 7, 2026. In some areas, water supply will be available at reduced pressure.
According to the civic body, the affected areas include:
D Ward:
Lamington Road, M.S. Ali Road, J. Boman Behram Marg, R.S. Nimkar Marg, Shuklaji Street, Grant Road (East), Balram Street, Dr. D.B. Marg, Pathhe Bapurao Marg, and the entire Mumbai Central area will face a complete water shutdown.
Thakurdwar, M.K. Road, R.R. Road, J.S.S. Road, and Khadilkar Road will receive water at low pressure.
Girgaum Road, Hughes Road, Babulnath Road, and Chowpatty Road will also experience low-pressure supply.
M.P. Mills Compound, B.B. Nakashe Marg, Tardeo, Ambedkar Nagar Colony, and Keshavrao Khadye Road (South) will have no water supply.
E Ward:
K.K. Marg, B.J. Marg, Sane Guruji Marg, and Kasturba Hospital area will face a complete shutdown.
Maulana Azad Road, Delisle Road, Dr. Anandrao Nair Road, Meghraj Sethi Marg, Maratha Mandir Road, Mohammad Shaheed Marg, Kamathipura (lanes 1 to 14), Chandramani Buddha Vihar Road, Agripada area, and Dr. Anandrao Nair Hospital will also experience a complete disruption.
G/South Ward:
J.R. Bori Cha Marg, Sane Guruji Marg, and Dhobighat areas will have no water supply.
The BMC has appealed to residents in the affected areas to use water judiciously and cooperate with the administration during this period.
Civic officials stated that efforts are underway to complete the repairs at the earliest and restore normal water supply as soon as possible.
Maharashtra
To avoid heat, oral rehydration powder and drinking water should be provided at posts for sanitation workers, the Municipal Commissioner has directed.

Mumbai: Steps should be taken to protect employees from heatstroke, dehydration and other health problems caused by heat. In addition, in view of the effects of increasing heat, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has instructed that proper arrangements should be made for Oral Rehydration Powder (ORS) and drinking water at posts for sanitation workers working in the field. However, employees of various departments working in the field should take necessary precautions to protect themselves from heat. In such a situation, Bhide has also appealed to perform their duties by prioritizing health and safety.
In view of the increasing heat in Mumbai, the Municipal Corporation administration is taking various steps for the citizens. Arrangements have been made for the treatment of heatstroke patients in the hospitals of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Also, awareness is being created among the citizens about the steps taken to prevent heatstroke. In this context, Ashwini Bhide has instructed the administration to take various steps for the sanitation workers working in the field.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that the employees of the Municipal Corporation are performing their duties even in various adverse conditions. Around 40,000 sanitation workers are working day and night to maintain cleanliness in Mumbai. However, the current rising temperature can cause heatstroke, dehydration and other health problems. In such a situation, proper arrangements should be made for ORS powder and drinking water at all posts of the Solid Waste Management Department for the sanitation workers working in the field. Bhide has also directed that regular monitoring should be kept in this regard.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Fire incidents increase in summer, citizens urged not to burn garbage and other waste in public places during summer

Mumbai: The rising temperatures in the summer months are likely to lead to an increase in fire incidents due to short circuits, overloading and other reasons like stress on the electrical system in homes, offices and commercial establishments. Therefore, the Mumbai Fire Department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation has appealed to the people of Mumbai to follow the rules and take precautionary measures. Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Additional Municipal Corporation Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi have directed the Mumbai Fire Department to be alert and equipped for fire prevention measures.
The temperature is rising in Mumbai city. The heat is being felt intensely. Fans, air coolers, air conditioners, refrigerators and other electrical appliances are being used in large quantities in homes, offices and commercial complexes. Due to which there is a possibility of an increase in fire incidents. Apart from this, factors like hot and dry environment, improper storage of flammable materials, burning of garbage and gas emission can also increase the risk of fire. Keeping this in mind, the Mumbai Fire Department has appealed to the citizens to be vigilant and take necessary precautions. Citizens should regularly check the electrical wires, switchboards and plug points in the house and building and ensure their connections. It is also important to avoid overloading by connecting multiple appliances to a single plug point. Safe and standard electrical connections should be used while using appliances like air conditioners, coolers, etc. Do not burn garbage, dry leaves of trees, vines or other flammable objects in the house or surroundings. LPG gas cylinders and gas pipes should be inspected regularly by the concerned experts. The Mumbai Fire Department has appealed to ensure that the fire extinguishing systems in every building, house and residential/non-residential premises are in good condition. Stairs and emergency exits of buildings and commercial complexes should be kept clean. So that citizens can safely exit in case of any incident. Along with this, their vehicles should be parked in the designated places. In case of an unfortunate incident of fire, sufficient space should be kept free for the free and smooth movement of fire brigade vehicles. In case of any fire, do not panic and immediately contact the Mumbai Fire Department on 101 or 022-23001390, 022-23001393, Chief Fire Officer Shri. Ravindra Ambolgekar has appealed.
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