Scientists have used X-ray light to reveal how the virus responsible for COVID-19 covers its tracks, making it harder for the immune system to recognize and fight off the infection.

The findings, published in the journal Nature, could lead to new ways to develop vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 and other coronaviruses.

The virus, known as SARS-CoV-2, uses a protein called the spike protein to attach to and infect human cells. The spike protein is covered in sugar molecules, which help it to evade detection by the immune system.

The researchers used X-rays to create a detailed map of the spike protein, including the location of the sugar molecules. They found that the sugar molecules are arranged in a specific way that allows them to bind to a protein on human cells called ACE2. This interaction is essential for the virus to enter and infect human cells.

The researchers also found that the sugar molecules on the spike protein can change shape, which allows the virus to avoid detection by the immune system. This process is called "glycan shielding."

"This study provides a detailed understanding of how the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein uses glycan shielding to evade the immune system," said study lead author Dr. Jason McLellan, a structural biologist at the University of Texas at Austin. "This information could be used to develop new vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 and other coronaviruses."

The researchers believe that their findings could also help to explain why some people are more susceptible to COVID-19 than others. They plan to continue their research to learn more about how the spike protein interacts with the immune system and to develop new ways to block this interaction.

"We hope that our research can help to make a difference in the fight against COVID-19," said McLellan. "By understanding how the virus works, we can develop better ways to prevent and treat this devastating disease."