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Identifying druggable targets on an essential SARS-CoV-2 protein

In a research paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv by Newman et al. (March 15th, 2021) the structure and role of one such protein: NSP13, is investigated, with two appealingly druggable targets being identified, possibly opening a new route towards a novel SARS-CoV-2 antiviral agent.

18 Mar 2021

Fighting SARS-CoV-2 with materials science

In a recent editorial in the journal Emergent Materials, Dr. Huseyin C. Yalcin from Qatar University Biomedical Research Center and Dr. Ajeet Kaushik from Florida Polytechnic University announce several important developments in their timely special issue entitled “Materials Science in the Battle against COVID-19”.

18 Mar 2021

UK SARS-CoV-2 variant 40% more transmissible than previous strains

Researchers in Japan have estimated that the B.1.1.7 strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that recently emerged in England is 40% more transmissible than strains previously circulating in the country.

18 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination should be carefully targeted towards certain groups, say researchers

Researchers in the UK have provided important insights into the impact that vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – may have on infection rates, disease prevalence and immune escape by the virus.

18 Mar 2021

New study provides comparative analysis of twelve COVID-19 vaccines

A new study by Novateur Ventures provides a comparative analysis of twelve COVID-19 Vaccines that had initiated or announced the Phase III clinical trial stage by early November 2020.

18 Mar 2021

Study highlights the importance of protecting elderly people from COVID-19 reinfection

Most people who have had COVID-19 are protected from catching it again for at least six months, but elderly patients are more prone to reinfection, according to research published in The Lancet.

18 Mar 2021

Antidiabetic drug could help reduce chronic inflammation in people living with HIV

Metformin, a drug used to treat type-2 diabetes, could help reduce chronic inflammation in people living with HIV (PLWH) who are being treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), according to researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre.

18 Mar 2021

Scientists explore structure of SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain with G485R mutation

Researchers at the Bio21 Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, studied the structure of a SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) with a G485R mutation. This mutation is a residue and not directly involved in interactions with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) residues but found in the Β1´/Β2' loop region.

18 Mar 2021

New study maps SARS-CoV-2 and host protein interactions in detail

A new study has developed a systemic map detailing the mechanistic interactions and disruptions between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its host cell.

18 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 variants with E484K mutation show mRNA vaccine-induced antibody evasion

A recent study found that the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine had limited efficacy in identifying mutated receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein similar to the B.1.351 and P.1 variants.

18 Mar 2021

Study reveals unknown immune defense system that protects the lungs from viral infections

Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown arm of the immune defence system that protects the lung from lethal viral infections.

18 Mar 2021

Study reports high prevalence of depression and anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic

A study conducted at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reports a high global prevalence of both depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic and shows how implementation of mitigation strategies including public transportation and school closures, and stay-at-home orders impacted such disorders.

18 Mar 2021

How resistant is the SARS-CoV-2 Brazilian variant to antibodies?

Researchers based at the University of Oxford, UK, have shown that the P.1 Brazilian variant of SARS-CoV-2 is less resistant to natural or vaccine acquired antibody responses than the B.1.351, South African, variant, despite sharing convergent mutations.

18 Mar 2021

Can vaccine evading SARS-CoV-2 variants be restricted by prioritized vaccine rollout?

A new study discusses the question of how vaccine priority is affected by the possibility of vaccine escape.

18 Mar 2021

Could cinnamon modulate the immune response in severe COVID-19?

A new study describes the potential for two common plant products to make a difference in the management of severe COVID-19.

18 Mar 2021

Do Artemisia annua L. compounds have SARS-CoV-2 antiviral potential?

Caused by SARS-CoV-2, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to over 121.2 million cases and over 2.6 million deaths worldwide. An interesting new study examines the potential antiviral activity of compounds present in the plant Artemisia annua L.

18 Mar 2021

Gene expression of viral entry factors may explain the differences of COVID-19 severity

A new study uncovers which cell types can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 due to their viral entry factors. The study also suggests that increased gene expression of these viral entry factors in some individuals partially explains the differences of COVID-19 severity reported in relation to age, gender and smoking status.

18 Mar 2021

Social distancing can be highly effective at preventing outbreaks, says public health expert

Eric Shattuck, assistant professor of research in the UTSA Institute for Health Disparities Research (IHDR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio, is studying the phenomenon of social distancing in response to infectious disease and its effects on pathogen transmission and the health of individuals and communities.

18 Mar 2021

The role of S-acylation in the enhancement of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity

A new study published on the bioRxiv server focuses on the role of S-acylation in the SARS-CoV-2 infection cycle. It has also characterized Spike acylation and has also identified other acylated viral proteins and host enzymes involved in the process of infection. Further, it has also revealed the importance of acylation in viral biogenesis and infection.

18 Mar 2021

Microbiota modulation and re-establishment of eubiosis could help curb COVID-19 complications

In the paper published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, the researchers noted that since both the respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal mucosa are affected in COVID-19, it is possible that adjunctive therapies that modulate the gut-lung axis.

18 Mar 2021

Disease/Infection News

Identifying druggable targets on an essential SARS-CoV-2 protein

Fighting SARS-CoV-2 with materials science

UK SARS-CoV-2 variant 40% more transmissible than previous strains

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination should be carefully targeted towards certain groups, say researchers

New study provides comparative analysis of twelve COVID-19 vaccines

Study highlights the importance of protecting elderly people from COVID-19 reinfection

Antidiabetic drug could help reduce chronic inflammation in people living with HIV

Scientists explore structure of SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain with G485R mutation

New study maps SARS-CoV-2 and host protein interactions in detail

SARS-CoV-2 variants with E484K mutation show mRNA vaccine-induced antibody evasion

Study reveals unknown immune defense system that protects the lungs from viral infections

Study reports high prevalence of depression and anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic

How resistant is the SARS-CoV-2 Brazilian variant to antibodies?

Can vaccine evading SARS-CoV-2 variants be restricted by prioritized vaccine rollout?

Could cinnamon modulate the immune response in severe COVID-19?

Do Artemisia annua L. compounds have SARS-CoV-2 antiviral potential?

Gene expression of viral entry factors may explain the differences of COVID-19 severity

Social distancing can be highly effective at preventing outbreaks, says public health expert

The role of S-acylation in the enhancement of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity

Microbiota modulation and re-establishment of eubiosis could help curb COVID-19 complications

Deciphering the Microbiome with The Microsetta Initiative

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices

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