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Study explores lectins from plants, fungi, algae and cyanobacteria as pan-coronavirus inhibitors

In a recently published article scientists have provided a detailed description of the utility of mannose-specific lectins in preventing coronavirus infections. They have specifically explained how mannose-specific lectins derived from plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria selectively bind N-glycans present on the surface of viral spike protein and how such interactions can be medically utilized to control coronavirus transmission.

1 Jul 2021

Study evaluates neutralizing antibody responses elicited by the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

A recent Diagnostics study discusses the specific antibody response that occurred in individuals after they had received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

1 Jul 2021

The impact of COVID-19 on dialysis patients

In this interview, News-Medical speaks to Professor Simon Davies and Dr. Raymond Vanholder about the impact of COVID-19 on kidney dialysis patients.

1 Jul 2021

Zinc-embedded polyamides inactivate SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A

The researchers show that the fabric retains its virus-inactivating property and stable zinc content over 50 standardized washes.

1 Jul 2021

New study maps evolutionary history and interrelationships of protein domains

Proteins have been quietly taking over our lives since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We've been living at the whim of the virus's so-called "spike" protein, which has mutated dozens of times to create increasingly deadly variants. But the truth is, we have always been ruled by proteins. At the cellular level, they're responsible for pretty much everything.

1 Jul 2021

New article focuses on drug discovery targeting SARS-CoV-2

The July edition of SLAS Discovery is a Special Edition featuring the cover article, "Development of a High-Throughput Screening Assay to Identify Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Guanine-N7-Methyltransferase Using RapidFire Mass Spectrometry" by Lesley-Anne Pearson, Charlotte J. Green, Ph.D., De Lin, Ph.D., Alain-Pierre Petit, Ph.D., David W. Gray, Ph.D., Victoria H. Cowling, Ph.D., and Euan A. F. Fordyce, Ph.D., (Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK).

1 Jul 2021

New experimental model simulates the blood-brain barrier

Using an experimental model to simulate the blood-brain barrier, scientists in Sweden reported in unprecedented detail how antioxidants protect the brain from inflammation caused by neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

1 Jul 2021

Ion channel conserved in coronaviruses a potential new drug target for COVID therapeutics

To this end, a recent study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology discusses the structures of the SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).

30 Jun 2021

Study highlights changes within SARS-CoV-2 variants that could be exploited to design effective inhibitors

A computational study that analyzes and explores the time-based structures of the SARS-CoV-2 variants with specific spike (S) protein mutations is discussed here.

30 Jun 2021

First demonstration of COVID-19-like response by an essential virus encoded protein by SARS-CoV-2 in vivo

Researchers from collaborating universities in Virginia have recently utilized transgenic mice to explore the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on associated lung injury.

30 Jun 2021

Intranasal COVID-19 vaccine developed from bacterial extracellular vesicle induces robust antibody response in preclinical trials

A team of US-based scientists recently developed a novel vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2, the causative pathogen of COVID-19. The vaccine is composed of extracellular vesicles of Salmonella typhimurium incorporated with the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. Upon intranasal administration in hamsters, the vaccine induces strong blood antibody titers and protects against severe COVID-19.

30 Jun 2021

New method to transport RNA-based drugs to subpopulation of immune cells

Tel Aviv University's groundbreaking technology may revolutionize the treatment of cancer and a wide range of diseases and medical conditions. In the framework of this study, the researchers were able to create a new method of transporting RNA-based drugs to a subpopulation of immune cells involved in the inflammation process, and target the disease-inflamed cell without causing damage to other cells.

30 Jun 2021

Promising preclinical results of new dementia treatment candidate set the stage for human trials

Researchers have identified a new treatment candidate that appears to not only halt neurodegenerative symptoms in mouse models of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, but also reverse the effects of the disorders.

29 Jun 2021

Nanotechnology and the fight against COVID-19

In a review paper published in the open-access MDPI journal Viruses, a team of researchers explored the potential of nanotechnology to alleviate the current and future coronavirus burden. The team focused on its potential role in the detection, diagnosis, protection, and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

29 Jun 2021

Study explores structure, activity, and inhibition of TMPRSS2 implicated in SARS-CoV-2 activation

Researchers from Canada recently presented an efficient strategy for recombinant production of enzymatically active TMPRSS2 ectodomain, enabling enzymatic characterization and the 1.95 Å X-ray crystal structure. Their work is published on the bioRxiv* preprint server while awaiting peer-review.

29 Jun 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces accumulation of lipids and N-proteins

Scientists from the Netherlands and the US recently studied the localization of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins in postmortem lung tissues of COVID-19 patients and in SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero cells that were processed identically. The research is posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, prior to peer review.

29 Jun 2021

Researchers design miniaturized 3D-printed device to treat middle ear infections

Middle ear infections, also known as otitis media, affect more than 80% of the children in the U.S. In a new study, researchers have designed a miniaturized 3D-printed device to inactivate Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common bacterium that causes the infection.

28 Jun 2021

Membrane News and Research

Study explores lectins from plants, fungi, algae and cyanobacteria as pan-coronavirus inhibitors

Study evaluates neutralizing antibody responses elicited by the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

The impact of COVID-19 on dialysis patients

Zinc-embedded polyamides inactivate SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A

New study maps evolutionary history and interrelationships of protein domains

New article focuses on drug discovery targeting SARS-CoV-2

New experimental model simulates the blood-brain barrier

Ion channel conserved in coronaviruses a potential new drug target for COVID therapeutics

Study highlights changes within SARS-CoV-2 variants that could be exploited to design effective inhibitors

First demonstration of COVID-19-like response by an essential virus encoded protein by SARS-CoV-2 in vivo

Intranasal COVID-19 vaccine developed from bacterial extracellular vesicle induces robust antibody response in preclinical trials

New method to transport RNA-based drugs to subpopulation of immune cells

Promising preclinical results of new dementia treatment candidate set the stage for human trials

Nanotechnology and the fight against COVID-19

Study explores structure, activity, and inhibition of TMPRSS2 implicated in SARS-CoV-2 activation

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces accumulation of lipids and N-proteins

Researchers design miniaturized 3D-printed device to treat middle ear infections

Connective tissue protein promotes immune responses that fight bacterial infections

Sunflower peptide identified as a potential drug for treating abdominal pain

Could microalgae-derived antiviral compounds combat SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses?

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