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Study reveals potential utility of artemisinin-based treatments against SARS-CoV-2

In a recent, methodologically robust bioRXiv preprint paper, researchers from Germany, Denmark and Hong Kong report in vitro efficacy of extracts from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua), but also artemisinin, artesunate and artemether derivatives against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

6 Oct 2020

Plasma ACE2 concentration associated with increased risk of major cardiovascular events

A team of scientists at the Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, and McMaster University, Hamilton, in Ontario, Canada, revealed that increased plasma ACE2 levels in the blood could indicate a higher risk of major cardiovascular events. The study is published in the journal The Lancet.

6 Oct 2020

Production of six monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Youjia Guo et al. in a recent bioRxiv preprint paper demonstrate the robust performance of mouse anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike monoclonal antibodies in immunoassays, including western blotting, ELISA, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation and also neutralizing activity in vitro against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

5 Oct 2020

Midges and mosquitoes unlikely to spread SARS-CoV-2

A recent study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in September 2020 looked to see if biting insects pose a risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans or animals following a SARS-CoV-2 infected blood meal.

5 Oct 2020

Feasibility of using dry reagents LAMP assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection

In a new study published on the preprint server medRxiv, researchers evaluated the suitability of the Loopamp SARS-CoV-2 Detection kit from Eiken Chemica, Japan, for detecting SARS-CoV-2. This is a LAMP method that uses dry reagents for RNA amplification.

5 Oct 2020

Another study finds cross-reactivity T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2

Using ELISpot and proliferation assays, researchers show strong responses in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, but not so much in negative samples. However, there may be cross-reactive T cell responses from other human coronaviruses.

5 Oct 2020

AbC-19 blood test detects COVID-19 antibodies 20 weeks after first symptoms/PCR positive result

Serological antibody immunoassays are one of the essential tools to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In a new study, Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies are detected in a large cohort, lasting up to 140 days. The researchers propose an alternative to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive status as a standard for assessing SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays and show robust performance metrics for the AbC-19 rapid test.

5 Oct 2020

Rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 with portable CRISPR-based mobile phone diagnostic test

A large group of researchers from the United States reported developing an amplification-free CRISPR-based mobile phone assay for direct detection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from nasal swabs. Their state-of-the-art paper is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

4 Oct 2020

Furin cleavage site of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein enhances viral replication in the lungs

In a new bioRxiv* preprint paper, researchers from the Imperial College London, King's College London, and the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom show that the furin cleavage site of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein represents a key determinant for transmission among humans, as it substantially facilitates replication in airway cells - opening the door for the development of novel therapeutics.

4 Oct 2020

Blood-based biomarker can overcome limitations of current verbal tests for concussion

There is an urgent need for objective markers for diagnosing concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury. The status of blood-based biomarker development and point-of-care testing are examined in a new Expert Panel Discussion published alongside the peer-reviewed Journal of Neurotrauma.

1 Oct 2020

Researchers identify a potential target for small cell lung cancer

The cover for issue 39 of Oncotarget features Figure 4, "Apoptosis assay of NRXN1-targeted ADC at IC50 dose calculated by growth inhibition curves," by Yotsumoto, et al. which reported that the authors identified transmembrane proteins overexpressed specifically in SCLC with little or no expression in normal tissues and decided to focus on the cell adhesion molecule neurexin-1.

1 Oct 2020

Lung tissue in fatal COVID-19 shows broad cell tropism and extensive damage

In a recent preprint paper published on the medRxiv server, researchers demonstrated their investigation of fatal COVID-19 patients to assess infection in various cell types and the extent of damage it caused to the lung tissues.

30 Sep 2020

Discovery of high affinity binders for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

An exciting, 'tour-de-force' paper by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology describes de novo discovery of high-affinity peptide binders for SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, which opens the door for the development of rapid viral identification or conjugates for virus-directed delivery of therapeutics.

30 Sep 2020

Abacus Diagnostica's new multiplex assay provides reliable influenza, COVID-19 diagnosis in 75 minutes

Abacus Diagnostica is a small Finnish company developing and manufacturing assays and devices for rapid molecular diagnostics. Since the beginning of COVID-19 outbreak the company has worked decisively on the development of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics.

30 Sep 2020

New graphical tool to identify potent neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

A new study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science and the University of Queensland and published on the preprint server medRxiv in September 2020 discusses using a novel tool to identify the most effective among currently known anti-SARS-CoV-2 NAbs.

29 Sep 2020

Researchers use fruit fly to develop a novel disease model for Pitt-Hopkins syndrome

The researchers from the TalTech molecular neurobiology laboratory headed by professor Tõnis Timmusk used the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster to develop a novel disease model for Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS).

29 Sep 2020

SARS-CoV-2 re-infection is real but rare: Case study

Now, American researchers have looked at all reported cases of re-infection and the possible reasons behind them. Their study titled, “Re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and Failure of Humoral Immunity: a case report,” is published online on the preprint server medRxiv in September 2020.

28 Sep 2020

J&J's COVID-19 vaccine shows potent immune response in phase 2 human trial

A multicenter phase 1/2a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial has been conducted recently to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of a non-replicating adenovirus-based vaccine, namely Ad26.COV2.S against severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

28 Sep 2020

BAT study analyzes the toxicological impact of nicotine pouch products

New research by BAT indicates that modern oral products (MOPs) showed lower toxicity responses in certain assays than traditional cigarettes.

28 Sep 2020

Bacteria-free method for making SARS-CoV-2 infectious clones

Using a circular polymerase chain reaction, researchers have developed a method for making severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) recombinant virus, with the ability to introduce mutations. The research by Japanese scientists is published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in September 2020.

27 Sep 2020

Assay News and Research

Study reveals potential utility of artemisinin-based treatments against SARS-CoV-2

Plasma ACE2 concentration associated with increased risk of major cardiovascular events

Production of six monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Midges and mosquitoes unlikely to spread SARS-CoV-2

Feasibility of using dry reagents LAMP assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection

Another study finds cross-reactivity T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2

AbC-19 blood test detects COVID-19 antibodies 20 weeks after first symptoms/PCR positive result

Rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 with portable CRISPR-based mobile phone diagnostic test

Furin cleavage site of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein enhances viral replication in the lungs

Blood-based biomarker can overcome limitations of current verbal tests for concussion

Researchers identify a potential target for small cell lung cancer

Lung tissue in fatal COVID-19 shows broad cell tropism and extensive damage

Discovery of high affinity binders for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Abacus Diagnostica's new multiplex assay provides reliable influenza, COVID-19 diagnosis in 75 minutes

New graphical tool to identify potent neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

Researchers use fruit fly to develop a novel disease model for Pitt-Hopkins syndrome

SARS-CoV-2 re-infection is real but rare: Case study

J&J's COVID-19 vaccine shows potent immune response in phase 2 human trial

BAT study analyzes the toxicological impact of nicotine pouch products

Bacteria-free method for making SARS-CoV-2 infectious clones

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From Discovery Biology to ELRIG Chair

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