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.

Study shows efficacy of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

Researchers in Singapore have conducted a study showing that the messenger RNA- (mRNA) based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are highly effective at protecting against symptomatic and severe disease following infection with the rapidly spreading B.1.617.2 (delta) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

2 Aug 2021

New model can help clinicians to predict 40-day mortality risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Researchers from Hackensack Meridian University Medical Center and Berry Consultants, LLC, Austin, Texas have developed a new model to help clinicians predict the risk of death within 40 days in patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19 infection.

2 Aug 2021

In-depth sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 variants crucial in controlling outbreaks

In this interview, News-Medical speaks to Professor Dana Crawford about her research efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2 Aug 2021

Study examined 1,497 full-vaccinated healthcare workers for breakthrough infections

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that in a very small number of cases, people with breakthrough infections might suffer long-lasting COVID-19 symptoms.

2 Aug 2021

Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection enhances effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

A study conducted by researchers in Qatar has found that Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine was more protective against infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among individuals who had previously been infected with the virus than among those who had not.

29 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant marginally affects Pfizer vaccination efficacy in fully vaccinated

Researchers from Israel recently evaluated the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant.

28 Jul 2021

Amount of testing matters more than the sensitivity of COVID-19 tests

A computational analysis of COVID-19 tests suggests that, in order to minimize the number of infections in a population, the amount of testing matters more than the sensitivity of the tests that are used. Philip Cherian and Gautam Menon of Ashoka University in Sonipat, India, and Sandeep Krishna of the National Centre for Biological Sciences TIFR, Bangalore, India, present their findings in the open-access journal PLOS Computational Biology.

27 Jul 2021

Scientists identify an antiviral metabolite as a potential serum biomarker for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Scientists from the UK have recently identified an antiviral metabolite 3'-Deoxy-3',4'-didehydro-cytidine as a potential serum biomarker to diagnose active severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server while awaiting peer review.

27 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breast milk: Study

A new study published on the medRxiv* preprint server explores the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) antibodies IgA and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk secreted by women with confirmed infection. The scientists also delineated the specific antigens targeted by the antibodies.

26 Jul 2021

Study in France suggests high efficacy of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

A nationwide case-control study conducted in France has assessed the efficacy of mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines against original severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, including B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P1.

22 Jul 2021

Mayo Clinic study provides insights into risk factors for severe COVID-19 in younger populations

Using data from 9,859 COVID-19 infections, Mayo Clinic researchers have new insights into risk factors for younger populations, some of which differ significantly from their older counterparts.

20 Jul 2021

Analysis shows the amount of testing for COVID-19 matters more than the sensitivity of the tests

Results from sensitive RT-PCR tests can be similar in accuracy to the less sensitive antigen tests, providing valuable insight for testing policies.

19 Jul 2021

An assay capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breast milk and other samples

In a recent study by US researchers (currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server), a specific immunoassay based on the spike glycoprotein’s receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is not only well suited for the detection of antibody response after infection and vaccination but may also represent a method of choice when conducting seroepidemiological studies.

19 Jul 2021

Evaluation of a synthetic DNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine INO-4800 using a nonhuman primate model

A new study published in Vaccine assesses the safety and efficacy of the synthetic DNA vaccine candidate INO-4800, delivered as a single or double dose regime.

18 Jul 2021

Rapid COVID-19 antibody detection with time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay

A new study published in the journal Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry deals with the development of a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) for the detection of total COVID-19 antibodies in humans.

15 Jul 2021

A pencil graphite biosensor that detects SARS-CoV-2

In a new study, scientists discuss the development of a rapid COVID-19 diagnostic tool known as the Low-cost Electrochemical Advanced Diagnostic (LEAD).

14 Jul 2021

High individual-level variability in SARS-CoV-2 shedding may explain superspreading

Researchers in the United States have provided a high-resolution description of the viral dynamics involved in acute infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

14 Jul 2021

Blood test could be a simple and effective method for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection

A blood test that quantifies the protein ACE2, the cellular protein which allows entry of the coronavirus into cells, as well as ACE2 fragments, produced as a result of interaction with the virus, could be a simple and effective method for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to a study led by Javier Sáez-Valero, from the UMH-CSIC Neurosciences Institute in Alicante, published in FASEB Journal.

13 Jul 2021

Study examines asymptomatic, presymptomatic and symptomatic transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2

A new preprint, available on the medRxiv* server, describes how researchers found at least a third of infected individuals to be asymptomatic, but that a fifth of them successfully passed on the virus to others. In comparison, about a quarter of symptomatic cases did so, especially when the symptoms included fever, cough and shortness of breath. In these circumstances, up to 30% of them transmitted the virus.

13 Jul 2021

Colonization by SARS-CoV-2 not synonymous with infection, screening study highlights

A new study released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server throws cold water on this notion, however, by demonstrating that in a set of asymptomatic cases, less than a tenth actually had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This finding has serious implications for the practices mentioned above, since they may be neither justifiable nor cost-effective as means to break the chain of viral transmission.

13 Jul 2021

Polymerase Chain Reaction News and Research

Further Reading

Study shows efficacy of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

New model can help clinicians to predict 40-day mortality risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

In-depth sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 variants crucial in controlling outbreaks

Study examined 1,497 full-vaccinated healthcare workers for breakthrough infections

Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection enhances effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant marginally affects Pfizer vaccination efficacy in fully vaccinated

Amount of testing matters more than the sensitivity of COVID-19 tests

Scientists identify an antiviral metabolite as a potential serum biomarker for SARS-CoV-2 infection

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breast milk: Study

Study in France suggests high efficacy of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Mayo Clinic study provides insights into risk factors for severe COVID-19 in younger populations

Analysis shows the amount of testing for COVID-19 matters more than the sensitivity of the tests

An assay capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breast milk and other samples

Evaluation of a synthetic DNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine INO-4800 using a nonhuman primate model

Rapid COVID-19 antibody detection with time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay

A pencil graphite biosensor that detects SARS-CoV-2

High individual-level variability in SARS-CoV-2 shedding may explain superspreading

Blood test could be a simple and effective method for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection

Study examines asymptomatic, presymptomatic and symptomatic transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2

Colonization by SARS-CoV-2 not synonymous with infection, screening study highlights

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