Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome News and Research

Latest Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome News and Research

Study identifies three novel binding receptors for SARS-CoV-2

A team of scientists from the United Kingdom recently conducted a large-scale screening of several membrane-bound and soluble host cell receptors to identify novel binding partners for SARS-CoV-2. They have identified three novel receptors expressed on the human cell membrane; of which, one binds to SARS-CoV-2 spike with similar affinity as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

12 Mar 2021

Natural virus-induced immunity protective against UK and South African SARS-CoV-2 variants in hamster study

As new variants of SARS-CoV-2 continue to emerge, fueling the continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study offers encouragement.

12 Mar 2021

Impact of type I interferon (IFN) autoantibodies in critical COVID-19

A new preprint discusses the pathogenesis of this critical COVID-19 with reference to autoimmune phenomena involving the key antiviral type I interferon pathway.

12 Mar 2021

Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and RBD detected in saliva of mRNA-vaccine recipients

A team of researchers from the US and the Netherlands recently reported that antibodies to the spike protein and the RBD are detected in saliva samples from healthcare workers vaccinated with mRNA vaccines.

12 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 is extremely sensitive to type I IFN pre-treatment, study finds

Researchers have found that SARS-CoV-2 is extremely sensitive to type I IFN pre-treatment. Therefore, strategies such as focusing on limiting the production of IFN, rather than its function, could restrict the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 that increases its viral load with delayed or absent symptoms.

12 Mar 2021

Spike protein mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants help resist antibody neutralization

Researchers based in Beijing and Shenzhen, China, report that they have identified mutations in the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that may allow variant strains to avoid neutralization by monoclonal antibodies and convalescent blood plasma.

11 Mar 2021

N501Y mutation in SARS-CoV-2 responsible for increased viral transmission

Researchers at the University of Texas, USA, have confirmed the specific mutation in the B.1.1.7 variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has allowed for it to be more transmissible than the ancestral strain. The N501Y substitution is one of 8 spike protein substitutions present in the UK variant and has also appeared convergently in the Brazil (P.1) and South Africa (B.1.351) variants.

11 Mar 2021

Structure and function of locked conformation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein identified

A new preprint research paper, posted to the bioRxiv* server, uncovered more information on the different structural conformations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The findings suggest the spike protein turns into a locked state to stabilize the spike protein during virus egress.

11 Mar 2021

Delaying second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine may be feasible in some cases

Researchers in Spain have conducted the most extensive study to date investigating the effectiveness of vaccinating healthcare workers with a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

11 Mar 2021

Study addresses glycosylation concerns in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine design

An international team of researchers has found that glycosylation patterns are conserved across the native spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – and the recombinant spike proteins made in laboratories for use in vaccines.

11 Mar 2021

People previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 may achieve immunity after one mRNA vaccine dose, finds study

A team of researchers led by Thomas W. McDade of Northwestern University suggests people who were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, may require only one dose of the mRNA vaccine to obtain immunity.

11 Mar 2021

Study finds limited association between vitamin D and improved COVID-19 outcomes

New research shows a lack of an association between Vitamin D deficiency and the number of COVID-19 cases, recoveries, or mortality rates in European countries.

11 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 can infect blood monocytes and trigger inflammation, finds study

Researchers found about 10% of blood monocytes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). These monocytes then die, leading to the release of cytokines – a feature associated with severe and critical COVID-19.

11 Mar 2021

Could an “ACE2 Triple Decoy” be an alternative approach to neutralizing SARS-CoV-2?

A team of scientists from the USA recently developed a recombinant “Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) Triple Decoy” that can trap SARS-CoV-2 and prevent its propagation inside the host cell.

11 Mar 2021

Researchers develop assay for qualitative assessment of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies

To address the need for a high-quality neutralization assay against SARS-CoV-2, researchers from the NIAID modified and optimized a previously established fluorescence reduction neutralization assay (FRNA) to provide a quantitative assessment of a large number of infected cells through the use of a high-content imaging system.

11 Mar 2021

Nanobody works against all SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in animal model

Researchers based in Belgium have developed a new antibody drug that is highly successful at neutralizing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Syrian hamsters. The new biologic was administered to the rodents and was found to be equally successful at neutralizing the original severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strain, and also the new mutant variants, such as the South African and UK strains.

11 Mar 2021

Brazil COVID variant 2.5 times more transmissible than ancestral strain

In early January 2021, a new variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified from travelers returning from Brazil. This variant, referred to as “P.1”, likely emerged in early-to-late November 2020, and subsequently spread throughout Manaus, the state capital of Amazonas, Brazil, over the following December.

11 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 subunit induces hypercoagulability

The vascular complications of the condition include a range of various coagulopathies that cause bleeding and thrombocytopenia or a hypercoagulable state. A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv server describes the role of a fibrinogen-related protein in inducing these clinical features of COVID-19.

10 Mar 2021

TraCK study says schoolchildren unlikely to transmit SARS-CoV-2

An interesting new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server reports there is little evidence to suggest the rapid transmission of the virus among school children while attending school.

10 Mar 2021

Danish study on the efficacy of Pfizer/BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine after first and second dose

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues, many countries have rolled out vaccines against the virus. In an encouraging preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server, scientists report on the vaccine efficacy in the Danish vaccination program.

10 Mar 2021

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome News and Research

Latest Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome News and Research

Study identifies three novel binding receptors for SARS-CoV-2

Natural virus-induced immunity protective against UK and South African SARS-CoV-2 variants in hamster study

Impact of type I interferon (IFN) autoantibodies in critical COVID-19

Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and RBD detected in saliva of mRNA-vaccine recipients

SARS-CoV-2 is extremely sensitive to type I IFN pre-treatment, study finds

Spike protein mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants help resist antibody neutralization

N501Y mutation in SARS-CoV-2 responsible for increased viral transmission

Structure and function of locked conformation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein identified

Delaying second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine may be feasible in some cases

Study addresses glycosylation concerns in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine design

People previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 may achieve immunity after one mRNA vaccine dose, finds study

Study finds limited association between vitamin D and improved COVID-19 outcomes

SARS-CoV-2 can infect blood monocytes and trigger inflammation, finds study

Could an “ACE2 Triple Decoy” be an alternative approach to neutralizing SARS-CoV-2?

Researchers develop assay for qualitative assessment of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies

Nanobody works against all SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in animal model

Brazil COVID variant 2.5 times more transmissible than ancestral strain

SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 subunit induces hypercoagulability

TraCK study says schoolchildren unlikely to transmit SARS-CoV-2

Danish study on the efficacy of Pfizer/BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine after first and second dose

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

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome News and Research

Latest Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome News and Research

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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