Plasmid News and Research

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Discovery of new receptor that interacts with SARS-CoV-2 spike, suppresses infection

Researchers recently conducted a study to identify host factors affecting cellular interactions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

16 Nov 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 deletions affect protein stability and translation inhibition

A new study discusses the purification of various Nsp1 proteins isolated from several mutated variants of SARS-CoV-2.

8 Nov 2021

Study finds SARS-CoV-2 infection is proportional to cell surface ACE2 levels

Researchers from Oregon State University have developed a system to assess the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to bind to ACE2 orthologs.

26 Oct 2021

Replication of SARS-CoV-2 variants in different cell and organ models

In this study, the replication of B.1.1.7 viruses was analyzed in different cell and organ models and dwarf hamsters.

22 Oct 2021

Suggested mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibition by Mitoxantrone

A group of researchers performed a drug repurposing screen on an FDA-approved anti-cancer drug named Mitoxantrone.

20 Oct 2021

Two defense systems in bacteria work in a complementary manner to protect from viruses

A new study led by a team of bioscientists from Durham University, UK, in collaboration with University of Liverpool, Northumbria University and New England Biolabs, hopes to exploit newly characterized defense systems in bacteria to compare changes to the human genome.

18 Oct 2021

Phase 1 open-label trial shows SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine induces durable immune response

The efficacy and safety of a DNA-based vaccine are investigated, finding that the unique vaccine imparts a robust and long-lasting immunogenic response.

15 Oct 2021

Study reveals a highly effective COVID-19 screening system utilizing a live cell-based assay

A new study reports a cell-based assay that involved the isolation and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro in human cells in the absence of other proteins.

14 Oct 2021

Role of CRISPR-Cas12a visual biosensor in detection of SARS-CoV-2

A new study aimed to develop a novel CRISPR-Cas12a powered visual biosensor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

13 Oct 2021

Plasmid DNA vaccines induce effective antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 in mice

Researchers in the United States and China have developed plasmid DNA immunogens that induce effective antibody responses in mice against the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

5 Oct 2021

Researchers create an integrated pipeline for performing genetic screening studies

Today's genetic engineers have a plethora of resources at their disposal: an ever-increasing number of massive datasets available online, highly precise gene editing tools like CRISPR, and cheap gene sequencing methods. But the proliferation of new technologies has not come with a clear roadmap to help researchers figure out which genes to target, which tools to use, and how to interpret their results. So, a team of scientists and engineers at Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard Medical School (HMS), and the MIT Media Lab decided to make one.

28 Sep 2021

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences debuts the future of simplified PCR cleanup and plasmid prep with the EMnetik system

Creating the industry’s first powerful workflow innovation in more than 30 years for plasmid prep and polymerase chain reaction cleanup, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences launches the EMnetik System to semi-automate workflows while drastically reducing the amount of time required to achieve a PCR cleanup.

From Beckman Coulter Life Sciences - Flow Cytometry 16 Sep 2021

New technology offers a faster, easier and more efficient way to study gene function

Studying the role genes play on basic biology and disease is now easier, faster and more efficient, say researchers at Baylor College of Medicine.

15 Sep 2021

An oral COVID-19 vaccine induces mucosal and protective immunity

Researchers have collaborated to resolve the aforementioned problems associated with injection vaccines to create a thermostable vaccine that can be taken orally.

13 Sep 2021

Researchers find a way to turn SARS-CoV-2’s virulence mechanism against itself

A recent study, currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server, reveals that a specific region of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be targeted by antisense oligonucleotides to potently inhibit viral replication, and consequently the development of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

12 Sep 2021

Study sheds light on neurologic symptoms caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers in Australia and Finland have provided important insights into how infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – might affect nervous system circuitries and cause neurologic symptoms.

6 Sep 2021

Expansion of seasonal betacoronavirus antibodies post-vaccination is associated with reduction in neutralization of the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

A new study determined the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal viruses induced by BNT162b2-Comirnaty vaccination in healthcare workers.

23 Aug 2021

Virus-like particles reveal unexpected mechanism for increased fitness and spread of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers in the United States have developed a new model for testing mutations in the four structural proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

9 Aug 2021

Hormone-resistant prostate, breast cancers added to clinical trial of experimental DNA therapy

The Republic of Belarus Ministry of Health has approved expanding the ongoing clinical trial of CureLab Oncology's Elenagen, an experimental DNA therapy, to include two new arms: 1) hormone-resistant breast cancer; and 2) hormone-resistant metastatic prostate cancer.

3 Aug 2021

Could novel biosensors facilitate SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drug research?

An intriguing new study presents a novel approach to biosensor-based evaluation of promising drugs that could inhibit the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) via its 3C-like protease (3CLpro), a viral protease.

2 Aug 2021