SARS-CoV2 is known to gain entry into epithelial cells through the association of its viral spike protein with the ACE2 receptor, which is widely expressed on epithelial cell types.
Researchers at Stanford have developed a CRISPR-based system to degrade viral RNA, with potential applications as both an anti-viral therapeutic and a prophylactic treatment against influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and other viruses.