Pathogen News and Research

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Polymeric and lipid nanoparticles in self-amplifying RNA vaccines result in higher protein expression and immunogenicity

Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is an advanced platform for nucleic acid vaccine development. The backbone is typically derived from an alphaviral genome and encodes a gene of interest (GOI) and a viral replicase that can amplify the genomic and subgenomic RNA.

30 Aug 2021

Study reveals measures to tackle musical COVID-19 transmission

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe in 2020, musicians around the world were desperate for the answers to two pressing questions: Can playing musical instruments transmit COVID-19? And if so, what can be done?

28 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 destabilizes host RNA to improve fitness

In a study recently published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists have mapped the interactions between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and host RNA. They have observed that the virus heavily methylates its genome using the methylation machinery of the host RNA, leading to an improvement in viral fitness.

27 Aug 2021

COVID-19 pandemic illuminates the importance of airborne transmission of respiratory viruses

SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind today's global coronavirus pandemic, spreads primarily by inhalation of virus-laden aerosols at both short and long ranges - and a comprehensive new assessment of respiratory viruses finds that many others probably do as well.

27 Aug 2021

Mild maternal infections can have permanent impacts on offspring immunity

During pregnancy, mild infections in the mother can have permanent and tissue-specific impacts on offspring immunity, according to a new study in mice.

27 Aug 2021

BioPlx sets out to control and combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs

Antimicrobial Resistance is "one of the greatest threats to society, human and animal health, and economic prosperity." Those are the unequivocal words regarding the gravity of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria from the National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education.

26 Aug 2021

Lack of inflammatory genes makes carnivores the biggest carriers of zoonotic pathogens

Carnivorous animals lack key genes needed to detect and respond to infection by pathogens, a study has found.

24 Aug 2021

Frameshift deletion mutation in ORF7a may provide fitness advantage to Australia's SARS-CoV-2 delta variants

A team of scientists from Australia has recently identified a frameshift deletion mutation in ORF7a of the delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The mutation results in the production of a truncated peptide with altered functionality. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server while awaiting peer review.

24 Aug 2021

VALIDATE Network’s TB vaccine work receives $1.5 million funding boost

The Oxford-run VALIDATE Network has received $1.5 million in funding for its tuberculosis vaccine work from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

23 Aug 2021

Heidelberg researchers focus on developing drugs against flavi- and coronaviruses

New drugs are intended to help stop viral zoonoses - infections that jump from animals to humans. To study suitable inhibitors, Prof. Dr Christian Klein from the Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology of Heidelberg University is receiving funding in the amount of 450,000 euros from the Volkswagen Foundation.

20 Aug 2021

Over-the-counter acid reflux drug appears to improve the odds of survival for COVID-19 patients

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors in Wuhan noticed something surprising. Many of the elderly patients who survived the virus were poor: not exactly the demographic you would expect to fare well in a health crisis.

20 Aug 2021

A combination of oral bacteria and intranasal vaccine provide protection from influenza A virus and COVID-19

A new study published in the journal mBio focuses on the role of nasal bacteria in eliciting virus-specific adaptive immunity.

20 Aug 2021

How can COVID-19 affect the skin?

A new review published in the journal Canadian Family Physician describes skin diseases caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

20 Aug 2021

Low-cost point of emission air purifiers can reduce airborne transmission of pathogens, says study

In a study conducted at the Monash University, Australia, scientists have examined the efficacy of portable air purifiers combined with a hood in reducing virus aerosol transmission and protecting healthcare workers from workplace contamination. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

20 Aug 2021

Scientists identify a potent neutralizing nanobody against SARS-CoV-1

In a recently published article in the journal Virologica Sinica, scientists have described the development and validation of a potent nanobody that targets the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The nanobody efficiently and specifically blocks the interaction between RBD and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and neutralizes the virus.

19 Aug 2021

Study explores the role of nasal bacteria and provides clues to developing better flu, COVID-19 vaccines

While gut microbiota play a critical role in the induction of adaptive immune responses to influenza virus infection, the role of nasal bacteria in the induction of virus-specific adaptive immunity is less clear.

17 Aug 2021

In Southeast Asia, robust immunity found up to 9 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Now, a new study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server focuses on functional immune memory to SARS-CoV-2, up to nine months in a Southeast Asian cohort, in the absence of re-infection.

16 Aug 2021

Study provides insight into fitness effects of genomic structural variants in natural populations

Molecular geneticists have known for about a decade that genomic structural variants can play important roles in the adaptation and speciation of both plants and animals, but their overall influence on the fitness of plant populations is poorly understood.

16 Aug 2021

Research suggests toll-like receptor 4 appears to play role in severe COVID

A group of researchers re-evaluated their previously proposed hypothesis, which stated that the TLR4 activated by the spike glycoprotein S1 domain increases ACE2 expression and, thereby, aids in COVID-19 infection.

16 Aug 2021

Role of neutrophil-epithelial interactions in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers discuss the relationship between airway neutrophils and SARS-CoV-2 infection to determine the impact that neutrophils have on COVID-19.

15 Aug 2021

Pathogen News and Research

Polymeric and lipid nanoparticles in self-amplifying RNA vaccines result in higher protein expression and immunogenicity

Study reveals measures to tackle musical COVID-19 transmission

SARS-CoV-2 destabilizes host RNA to improve fitness

COVID-19 pandemic illuminates the importance of airborne transmission of respiratory viruses

Mild maternal infections can have permanent impacts on offspring immunity

BioPlx sets out to control and combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs

Lack of inflammatory genes makes carnivores the biggest carriers of zoonotic pathogens

Frameshift deletion mutation in ORF7a may provide fitness advantage to Australia's SARS-CoV-2 delta variants

VALIDATE Network’s TB vaccine work receives $1.5 million funding boost

Heidelberg researchers focus on developing drugs against flavi- and coronaviruses

Over-the-counter acid reflux drug appears to improve the odds of survival for COVID-19 patients

A combination of oral bacteria and intranasal vaccine provide protection from influenza A virus and COVID-19

How can COVID-19 affect the skin?

Low-cost point of emission air purifiers can reduce airborne transmission of pathogens, says study

Scientists identify a potent neutralizing nanobody against SARS-CoV-1

Study explores the role of nasal bacteria and provides clues to developing better flu, COVID-19 vaccines

In Southeast Asia, robust immunity found up to 9 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Study provides insight into fitness effects of genomic structural variants in natural populations

Research suggests toll-like receptor 4 appears to play role in severe COVID

Role of neutrophil-epithelial interactions in SARS-CoV-2 infection

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