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Rapid and robust pipeline for developing mRNA vaccines for future SARS-CoV-2 variants

A recent study under review at the journal Scientific Reports and currently available on the Research Square* preprint server reported the development of a robust pipeline for fabricating an mRNA vaccine portfolio to combat current and future coronavirus outbreaks, other infectious diseases, and cancer.

19 Oct 2022

Scientists develop a pseudovirus system to deep mutational scan the full SARS-CoV-2 spike

A pseudovirus system based on deep mutational scanning determines how SARS-CoV-2 mutations can affect its ability to escape neutralization.

18 Oct 2022

Stanford researchers create new technique for controlling protein production

Thanks to new RNA vaccines, we humans have been able to protect ourselves incredibly quickly from new viruses like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

5 Oct 2022

Study attributes increased transmissibility of Monkeypox Clade IIb to genomic accordions

In a new study, researchers performed a genomic study of confirmed Monkeypox virus (MPXV) cases diagnosed in Spain between 18 May and 14 July 2022.

4 Oct 2022

Novel linear DNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine using electroporation-aided vaccine delivery reveals lower viral shedding in ferrets

Researchers evaluated the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of a novel SARS-CoV-2 linear deoxyribonucleic acid vaccine in ferret models delivered using intramuscular injection and electroporation.

3 Oct 2022

Structural analysis of monkeypox virus to guide the development of broad antiviral agents

In a new study, researchers explored the crystalline structure of the monkeypox (MPX) virus (MPXV) and the complex of VP39, a 2′-O-RNA methyltransferase (MTase) and sinefungin, a pan-MTase inhibitor.

30 Sep 2022

Crested ibis offers clues that could help our bodies to make better drugs

Thank the rare crested ibis for a clue that could someday help our bodies make better drugs.

19 Sep 2022

First report of a SARS-CoV-2 variant with an ORF7a deletion that dominated an outbreak

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers in Australia determined whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta-ORF7aΔ17del [open reading frame 7a protein with 17-nucleotide (nt) frameshift-inducing deletion] variant has a fitness advantage over the Delta variant lacking the ORF7aΔ17del deletion (Delta-ORF7aintact) and/or the SARS-CoV-2 lineage (A.2.2).

12 Sep 2022

Comprehensive genetic architecture atlas compiled for mutant RAS genes in cancers

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, three other cancer centers and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health compiled a comprehensive genetic architecture atlas for mutant RAS genes in human cancers.

8 Sep 2022

Plant production of nanobodies that neutralize the interaction between ACE2 receptor and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Researchers demonstrated the production of nanobodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

7 Sep 2022

Viruses modify host cellular machinery to produce high amounts of viral progeny

The study, published in Nature Communications, shows a new mechanism whereby viruses modify cellular machinery so that it can better read the instructions in the genome of the invading virus.

29 Aug 2022

SARS-CoV-2 mutational spectra based on reconstructed phylogenetic tree

In a new study, researchers assessed the impact of mutagenesis on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome and the effects of mutations in the neutral regions and non-neutral regions of the genome.

25 Aug 2022

A VSV-based COVID vaccine effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new study discusses the development of recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus COVID-19 vaccines.

25 Jul 2022

Intrahost genetic diversity and evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.517 lineage during chronic infection of an immunocompromised individual

Researchers investigated the intrahost evolution and genetic diversity of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.517 variant in an immunosuppressed person with chronic COVID-19.

6 Jul 2022

Gene expression regulation by N6-methyladenosine

A recent study published in Molecular Cell reviewed the control of gene expression by N6-methyladenosine (m6A), a modified nucleotide in the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).

22 Jun 2022

SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern exhibit divergent interactions with host proteases

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College assessed the cleavability of the spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) and related coronaviruses by several proteases of the host.

19 Jun 2022

SARS-CoV-2 variant-specific polymerase chain reaction assay for SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance

Researchers reported on the misclassification of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 subvariant as Omicron BA.2 subvariant in an automated variant-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis.

17 Jun 2022

Spirea raises £2.4M ($3M) to develop antibody drug conjugates in cancer

Funding will enable the development of Spirea’s pipeline of antibody drug conjugate therapeutics for the treatment of solid tumours.

From Spirea 14 Jun 2022

Study identifies interesting sequence features in SARS-CoV-2 at start of COVID pandemic

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* pre-print server, researchers studied the sequence data from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases from the Huanan seafood market in Beijing, China, to define the minor variant genome populations from the start of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced pandemic.

14 Jun 2022

The frequency and nature of RNA errors in both SARS-CoV-2 and its vaccine

A recent article demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 mutants and vaccine variability stem from ribonucleic acid polymerase inaccuracy.

6 Jun 2022