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Researchers develop eleven SARS-CoV-2 RBD nanobodies using computational design

To develop therapeutics that block this binding process, a team of researchers recently used an integrated computational approach to design nanobodies (Nbs) against the SARS-CoV-2 RBD, using neutralizing/monoclonal antibodies specific to RBD of the spike protein.

27 Apr 2021

Researchers characterize India’s devastating second wave of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on human health worldwide. The second wave in India has caught everyone by surprise, showing up the total lack of foresight or precautions. With well over 0.2 million deaths in India, and infections raging out of control, a new study predicts 0.35 million daily cases at the peak of the second wave.

26 Apr 2021

Host cell transmembrane protein MARCH8 targets lysine residues to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses

A new study deals with the inhibitory activity of a membrane protein that has broad-spectrum activity against multiple viruses, showing that this is due to its effect on cytoplasmic lysine residue incorporation into replicating virions.

26 Apr 2021

Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with more adverse events following mRNA vaccination

The phase 3 trials of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines did not include those with a known previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recent evidence indicates that mRNA vaccines may induce more adverse events in these individuals. In a recent study, 947 individuals, 265 of which have previously reported SARS-CoV-2 infection, were monitored post-vaccination for adverse events, finding that there could be a link between previous infection and greater incidence of these events.

26 Apr 2021

Researchers examine potential SARS-CoV-2 antivirals using a drug repurposing library

A new study deals with the screening of the Drug Repurposing Hub (DRH) library for identifying small compounds which are capable of inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 using both in vitro and in vivo experimental studies. These molecules could be used for designing a novel therapeutic system against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

26 Apr 2021

Study reports on safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in pregnancy

Researchers used different surveillance systems in the United States to track adverse outcomes after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in pregnant people and found no major safety flags.

23 Apr 2021

House flies can carry SARS-CoV-2 up to 24 hours after exposure, study finds

A team of researchers in the USA – at Kansas State University and Agricultural Research Service – found that house flies can acquire and harbor infectious SARS-CoV-2 for up to 24 hours after exposure.

22 Apr 2021

Can SARS-CoV-2 host factor protein interactions help identify antiviral drug targets?

In a new study proteomic peptide-phage display is utilized to profile the novel SLiM-based interactions that mediate host factor interactions in 229 RNA viruses, with a special focus on SARS-CoV-2, to reveal mechanistic insights and identify drug targets.

22 Apr 2021

How effective is the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccine? A real-world study in Sweden

Investigating a population in southern Sweden, a new study has found that a single dose of the vaccine is only about 42% effective in preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). But seven days after the second dose, the vaccine can prevent COVID-19 in 86% of the population.

22 Apr 2021

Interfering RNA nanoparticles could be a potential COVID-19 therapy

Study shows lipid nanoparticle-based siRNA is potent in suppressing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – in cells as well as in mice models.

21 Apr 2021

SARS-CoV-1 utilizes ORF3a protein to trigger viral release

Scientists in the USA – from the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland – have recently uncovered the mechanism by which SARS-CoV-1 is released from the infected cells.

21 Apr 2021

What do we know about the origin and evolution of SARS-CoV-2?

A new study examines the origin and continuing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in the human and animal co-hosts in an attempt to help prepare for future destructive outbreaks.

21 Apr 2021

Can sniffer dogs be trained to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection?

A new study in PLOS ONE discusses the novel use of dogs to sniff out the virus in patient samples as a potential additional diagnostic route to ease the situation.

21 Apr 2021

Researchers explore cost-effective identification method for novel SARS-CoV-2 variants

In a new study, a rapid and cost-effective method of detecting known variants of concern has been developed utilizing capillary electrophoresis, allowing local facilities to screen for and track SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and implement reactionary procedures.

21 Apr 2021

Researchers examine antiviral responses in children infected with COVID-19 in South Brazil

New research has been published that focuses on the characterization of innate and adaptive immune responses in adult patients with different degrees of severity and also in pediatric patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19. In this study, researchers have developed an immune profile in children to understand the difference in COVID-19 infection in children and adults.

21 Apr 2021

Limited SARS-CoV-2 spread in childcare centers, finds study

A new study adds to the sum of evidence that children do not play a key role in the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen behind the current pandemic of COVID-19.

20 Apr 2021

Humoral immunity developed by DNA vaccine INO-4800 is effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants

A team of international scientists recently demonstrated that antibodies generated in response to the DNA vaccine INO-4800 can effectively neutralize some of the recently emerged variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), such as G614, 501Y.V1, and 501Y.V2.

20 Apr 2021

Could virosome-based nanovaccines be a promising new approach to preventing viral diseases?

A recent review in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules provides a novel overview of 'virosome'-based nanovaccine production, its properties, and its application in viral diseases, emphasizing its importance in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine discovery.

20 Apr 2021

Occurrence and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater

Researchers review the utilities of wastewater epidemiology in assessing the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a given community as well as the risks of wastewater viral transmission.

19 Apr 2021

Researchers develop computational model to predict changes in SARS-CoV-2’s viral fitness

Two researchers from the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, Fabrizio Pucci and Marianne Rooman, recently built a simplified computational model, called SpikePro, to predict the SARS-CoV-2 fitness from the amino acid sequence and structure of the spike protein. This study focuses on the spike protein’s stability and the binding affinity to the host receptor.

19 Apr 2021

Miscellaneous News

Researchers develop eleven SARS-CoV-2 RBD nanobodies using computational design

Researchers characterize India’s devastating second wave of COVID-19

Host cell transmembrane protein MARCH8 targets lysine residues to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses

Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with more adverse events following mRNA vaccination

Researchers examine potential SARS-CoV-2 antivirals using a drug repurposing library

Study reports on safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in pregnancy

House flies can carry SARS-CoV-2 up to 24 hours after exposure, study finds

Can SARS-CoV-2 host factor protein interactions help identify antiviral drug targets?

How effective is the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccine? A real-world study in Sweden

Interfering RNA nanoparticles could be a potential COVID-19 therapy

SARS-CoV-1 utilizes ORF3a protein to trigger viral release

What do we know about the origin and evolution of SARS-CoV-2?

Can sniffer dogs be trained to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection?

Researchers explore cost-effective identification method for novel SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers examine antiviral responses in children infected with COVID-19 in South Brazil

Limited SARS-CoV-2 spread in childcare centers, finds study

Humoral immunity developed by DNA vaccine INO-4800 is effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Could virosome-based nanovaccines be a promising new approach to preventing viral diseases?

Occurrence and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater

Researchers develop computational model to predict changes in SARS-CoV-2’s viral fitness

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

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