Polymerase Chain Reaction News and Research

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Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a revolutionary laboratory technique that enables the replication of a specific DNA sequence. Using PCR, millions of copies of a target DNA can be easily synthesized within a short period of time.

New test offers a simpler way to quantify the reservoir of intact viruses in HIV patients

A new test that measures the quantity and quality of inactive HIV viruses in the genes of people living with HIV may eventually give researchers a better idea of what drugs work best at curing the disease.

12 Apr 2021

P681 mutation has little impact on transmissibility in the SARS-CoV-2 UK variant, finds study

A new preprint, recently released on the bioRxiv* server, explores the impact of a single mutation, the P681H mutation, on the transmissibility of the virus.

12 Apr 2021

Study finds no evidence of SARS-CoV2 transmission by breast milk

Some studies have reported the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in breast milk from women who were recently infected with the virus. A new study explores the relationship between viral RNA and infectious virus to clarify the occurrence of vertical transmission through breast milk.

9 Apr 2021

Thermo Fisher Scientific launches in-air SARS-CoV-2 surveillance solution

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced the launch of the Thermo Scientific AerosolSense Sampler, a new surveillance solution designed to deliver fast and highly reliable insight into the presence of in-air pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific – Environmental and Process Monitoring Instruments 8 Apr 2021

Leaky gut and microbial dysbiosis could contribute to cytokine storm in severely ill COVID-19 cases

The gut is a well-established route of infection and target for viral damage by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for COVID-19. This is supported by the clinical observation that about half of COVID-19 patients exhibit gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

8 Apr 2021

Real-world proof Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection

A new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in the real world. The report is based on a CDC study where it routinely tested prospective cohorts of health care professionals, first responders, and essential and frontline workers for SARS-CoV-2 infections.

7 Apr 2021

New test for Lyme disease can reliably distinguish between early- and late-stage patients

For those who live in an area blighted by ticks, the threat of Lyme disease can cast a shadow over the joy of spring and summer.

7 Apr 2021

Research explores sex differences in placental defenses against SARS-CoV-2 infection

A plethora of earlier studies has reported on the differences between the sexes in susceptibility to the currently circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as well as its severity. A new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv* server extends this to the placenta in pregnancy.

6 Apr 2021

Researchers offer large-scale screening of potential broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 antivirals

A new study describes the identification of new compounds from a library, with inhibitory activity against several coronaviruses. This study shows the utility of this method, besides identifying compounds that not only inhibit viral shedding in SARS-CoV-2 cultures, but have an immunomodulatory effect that may be useful in mitigating the damaging cytokine storm typical of severe or critical COVID-19.

2 Apr 2021

Backed by millions in public and private cash, rapid Covid tests are coming to stores near you

Scientists and lawmakers agree that over-the-counter Covid tests could allow desk workers to settle back into their cubicles and make it easier to reopen schools and travel.

1 Apr 2021

New portable viral screening test can diagnose COVID-19 in minutes and track variants

Clinicians using a new viral screening test can not only diagnose COVID-19 in a matter of minutes with a portable, pocket-sized machine, but can also simultaneously test for other viruses--like influenza--that might be mistaken for the coronavirus.

31 Mar 2021

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective among front liners, CDC study shows

The study, published in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), highlights the efficacy of mRNA vaccines in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

30 Mar 2021

Researchers develop novel test that screens for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

A team of scientists from the United States has recently developed a single-tube duplex molecular assay for rapid detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants containing E484K and N501Y spike mutations.

30 Mar 2021

Single dose of Pfizer and Oxford vaccines shows 60% efficacy in elderly care home residents

A new study deals with the effect of two widely used vaccines in eliciting humoral immunity against the virus in this group. These are the Oxford/AstraZeneca viral-vectored vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19), and the Pfizer/BioNTech’s messenger RNA-based vaccine (BNT162b2). Both express the viral spike antigen, and both are currently being employed in the UK’s vaccination program.

30 Mar 2021

Scientists develop new method to estimate prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

In the study, which appeared on the pre-print server medRxiv*, the team also modeled the pandemic phases with exponential growth and decay. The model improves upon maximum likelihood estimates by conditioning on more data.

30 Mar 2021

New diagnostic test can detect COVID-19 virus even when it mutates

A team of scientists led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has developed a diagnostic test that can detect the virus that causes COVID-19 even after it has gone through mutations.

30 Mar 2021

Researchers develop new rapid and highly sensitive SAR-CoV-2 RNA detection test

In an alternative approach to the PCR-based methods, CRISPR-Cas proteins have been employed by a large team of researchers to identify the SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA in patient samples with PCR-derived cycle threshold (Ct) values up to 22 - corresponding to ~1600 copies/µl in the assay.

29 Mar 2021

Large U.S. study identifies sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 testing and positivity

The massive and continuing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), throughout the world, has led to a staggering toll of over 549,000 deaths in the USA, among over 30 million cases. A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server discusses the factors related to the chances of testing positive for this virus.

29 Mar 2021

Persistent impact on smell and taste in COVID-19 patients one year later

The presentation of the infection ranges from asymptomatic, through dry cough with fever, anosmia/dysgeusia, to shortness of breath with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server reports on the clinical progression of anosmia and dysgeusia, in particular, one year after the infection.

29 Mar 2021

Single Sputnik V vaccine dose elicits robust immune response in previously infected individuals

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv server describes successful immunization of the vaccinated population with a single dose of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine.

29 Mar 2021

Polymerase Chain Reaction News and Research

Further Reading

New test offers a simpler way to quantify the reservoir of intact viruses in HIV patients

P681 mutation has little impact on transmissibility in the SARS-CoV-2 UK variant, finds study

Study finds no evidence of SARS-CoV2 transmission by breast milk

Thermo Fisher Scientific launches in-air SARS-CoV-2 surveillance solution

Leaky gut and microbial dysbiosis could contribute to cytokine storm in severely ill COVID-19 cases

Real-world proof Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection

New test for Lyme disease can reliably distinguish between early- and late-stage patients

Research explores sex differences in placental defenses against SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers offer large-scale screening of potential broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 antivirals

Backed by millions in public and private cash, rapid Covid tests are coming to stores near you

New portable viral screening test can diagnose COVID-19 in minutes and track variants

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective among front liners, CDC study shows

Researchers develop novel test that screens for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Single dose of Pfizer and Oxford vaccines shows 60% efficacy in elderly care home residents

Scientists develop new method to estimate prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

New diagnostic test can detect COVID-19 virus even when it mutates

Researchers develop new rapid and highly sensitive SAR-CoV-2 RNA detection test

Large U.S. study identifies sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 testing and positivity

Persistent impact on smell and taste in COVID-19 patients one year later

Single Sputnik V vaccine dose elicits robust immune response in previously infected individuals

Discover how SciY empowers scientists

Why use light scattering to analyze proteins and viral vectors?

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