Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Researchers develop innovative technique for detecting HIV hiding places in infected patients

Discovery of a novel, advanced technique to identify the rare cells where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) hides in patients taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). This is an important step forward in the search for a HIV/AIDS cure.

19 Sep 2016

Researchers underscore importance of immune-based prevention to conquer cancer

In a Perspective piece published this week in PNAS, cancer researchers from across the country, including faculty at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, write that a greater emphasis on immune-based prevention should be central to new efforts like the federal Cancer Moonshot program, headed by Vice President Joe Biden.

19 Sep 2016

TransOral Robotic Surgery may provide good outcomes, survival for oropharyngeal cancer patients

A new study from researchers at Henry Ford Hospital finds an incisionless robotic surgery - done alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation - may offer oropharyngeal cancer patients good outcomes and survival, without significant pain and disfigurement.

16 Sep 2016

Female sex hormone appears to stave off worst effects of influenza infection

In mouse studies, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have found that progesterone - a female sex hormone contained in most forms of hormone-based birth control - appears to stave off the worst effects of influenza infection and, in an unexpected finding, help damaged lung cells to heal more quickly.

15 Sep 2016

Research may help explain mechanism by which Zika virus breaches placental barrier

New research reveals that in pregnant women, Zika virus infection damages certain cells that affect placental formation and function. Furthermore, herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) infection augments placental sensitivity to Zika virus by enhancing the expression of receptors that allow Zika virus to enter cells.

15 Sep 2016

New study provides most comprehensive picture to date of head and neck cancer stem cells

Cancer stem cells resist therapy and are a major cause of relapse, long after the bulk of a tumor has been killed.

15 Sep 2016

Scientists use computer model to explore geographical origins of influenza virus

A computer model developed by scientists at the University of Chicago shows that small increases in transmission rates of the seasonal influenza A virus (H3N2) can lead to rapid evolution of new strains that spread globally through human populations.

14 Sep 2016

Discovery of immune antibody could lead to development of improved influenza vaccines

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators report they have discovered a type of immune antibody that can rapidly evolve to neutralize a wide array of influenza virus strains - including those the body hasn't yet encountered.

14 Sep 2016

Study shows holes in HIV's protective glycan shield could be vital in designing vaccine candidates

A new study from scientists at The Scripps Research Institute shows that "holes" in HIV's defensive sugar shield could be important in designing an HIV vaccine.

14 Sep 2016

TSRI, IAVI scientists reveal new reductionist vaccine strategy to fight against HIV

A series of new studies led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative describe a potential vaccination strategy to jump-start the selection and evolution of broadly effective antibodies to prevent HIV infection.

13 Sep 2016

Research reveals how Zika virus arrests fetal brain development in pigtail macaque

For the first time, abnormal brain development following a Zika infection during pregnancy has been documented experimentally in the offspring of a non-human primate.

12 Sep 2016

First accurate simulation reveals how virus shape changes when invading host cell

For the first time, scientists know what happens to a virus' shape when it invades a host cell, thanks to an experiment by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

12 Sep 2016

Using the immune system to fight cancer: an interview with Dr Charles Akle

We all produce as many as 100,000 different types of cancer cells every day, which are recognized and eliminated by our extraordinarily efficient immune system. However, if something goes wrong with the immune system, and it no longer gets rid of these cells, then that’s when cancerous cells grow and become a problem.

12 Sep 2016

Viral vector-based approaches could improve effectiveness of CFTR gene therapy

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by accumulation of thick mucus in the lungs and is associated with a high incidence of bacterial infection. Mutations in the gene encoding CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) underlie the disease.

9 Sep 2016

Scientists reveal new structural insights on key protein from mosquitoes linked to spread of Zika

As health departments around the U.S. boost efforts to combat Zika, scientists are working on new ways to kill the mosquitoes that carry the virus. One approach involves understanding the molecular mechanisms that keep the bugs alive so we can then undermine them.

9 Sep 2016

Novel Trojan Horse antibody strategy may target Ebola's Achilles' heel

In research published online today in Science, a team of scientists describe a new therapeutic strategy to target a hidden Achilles' heel shared by all known types of Ebola virus.

8 Sep 2016

Trial of high-dose flu vaccine aims to better protect heart failure patients

A network of researchers in the United States and Canada will try to spare thousands of patients the dangers of heart attacks and hospitalizations over the next five years in a trial of a high-dose flu vaccine.

8 Sep 2016

Researchers reveal potential therapeutic treatment for alphavirus infections

Research conducted by Griffith University and Melbourne-based company Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Limited has uncovered a potential new therapeutic treatment for the global battle against mosquito-borne alphavirus infections, including the debilitating Ross River Virus (RRV) and Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV).

8 Sep 2016

New vaccine against grass pollen allergies may help combat hepatitis B infection

A new type of vaccine against grass pollen allergies (BM32) might also offer an effective treatment for combating hepatitis B infection.

8 Sep 2016

Researchers find genomic material from Zika virus in tears

Researchers have found that Zika virus can live in eyes and have identified genetic material from the virus in tears, according to a study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

7 Sep 2016

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Researchers develop innovative technique for detecting HIV hiding places in infected patients

Researchers underscore importance of immune-based prevention to conquer cancer

TransOral Robotic Surgery may provide good outcomes, survival for oropharyngeal cancer patients

Female sex hormone appears to stave off worst effects of influenza infection

Research may help explain mechanism by which Zika virus breaches placental barrier

New study provides most comprehensive picture to date of head and neck cancer stem cells

Scientists use computer model to explore geographical origins of influenza virus

Discovery of immune antibody could lead to development of improved influenza vaccines

Study shows holes in HIV's protective glycan shield could be vital in designing vaccine candidates

TSRI, IAVI scientists reveal new reductionist vaccine strategy to fight against HIV

Research reveals how Zika virus arrests fetal brain development in pigtail macaque

First accurate simulation reveals how virus shape changes when invading host cell

Using the immune system to fight cancer: an interview with Dr Charles Akle

Viral vector-based approaches could improve effectiveness of CFTR gene therapy

Scientists reveal new structural insights on key protein from mosquitoes linked to spread of Zika

Novel Trojan Horse antibody strategy may target Ebola's Achilles' heel

Trial of high-dose flu vaccine aims to better protect heart failure patients

Researchers reveal potential therapeutic treatment for alphavirus infections

New vaccine against grass pollen allergies may help combat hepatitis B infection

Researchers find genomic material from Zika virus in tears

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