Congratulations to Richard Xu, son of MMRI research scientist Bing Xu, for winning the Utica University Science Fair and earning second place in the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the Biomedical and Health Sciences category.

Richard’s award-winning project stems from his contributions to ongoing research in Dr. Zhiqiang Lin’s lab at MMRI. With guidance from Dr. Lin and his research team, Richard examined how the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may affect cardiac ion channel function—a timely and important investigation as COVID-19 continues to be linked to serious cardiovascular complications, including arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, and long COVID symptoms.

The study explores a fundamental question: Does the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interact with cardiac ion channels in a way that disrupts their function and contributes to the development of arrhythmias?

Using AlphaFold3 computational modeling, the Lin lab identified KCNQ1, KCNA5, and CACNA1C as top candidates for spike protein interaction. Follow-up experiments—including co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization imaging in HEK293T cells and mouse heart tissue—confirmed these interactions, particularly at the cell membrane. Structural analysis further revealed distinct hydrogen-bonding patterns between the spike protein’s S1 and S2 subunits and the KCNA5 channel.

Notably, the team identified a short peptide from KCNA5 that disrupted its interaction with the spike protein. Functionally, expression of the spike protein was found to significantly increase KCNA5-mediated potassium currents, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may modulate KCNA5 function. These findings point to KCNA5 as a novel spike protein binding partner and a potential contributor to COVID-19-related electrophysiological abnormalities. Targeting this interaction may offer a new therapeutic approach to managing virus-induced cardiac arrhythmias.

We applaud Richard for his dedication and contributions to this important research, and we celebrate the collaborative efforts of Dr. Lin’s team in advancing our understanding of COVID-19’s impact on heart health.