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Study shows how new antibiotic resistance genes arise from random DNA sequences

An important and still unanswered question is how new genes that cause antibiotic resistance arise. In a new study, Swedish and American researchers have shown how new genes that produce resistance can arise from completely random DNA sequences. The results have been published in the journal PLOS Genetics.

8 Jan 2021

Genetic blueprint provides insights into unique biology of egg-laying monotreme mammals

The genomes of egg-laying monotreme mammals, platypus and echidna, have been published in the prestigious journal Nature, providing a valuable public resource for research in mammalian biology and evolution, with applications for their conservation and health.

8 Jan 2021

High-affinity SARS-CoV-2 RBD drives mutation spread, forms basis of new COVID-19 inhibitor

Now, an intriguing recent study appeared on the bioRxiv * preprint server describes the use of in vitro evolution to elicit affinity maturation of the viral receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein to bind the host cell angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) with greater affinity.

7 Jan 2021

Antibodies and inflammatory markers are pervasive in colostrum of SARS-CoV-2 infected women

A recent study, currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server, is among the first to reveal the presence of antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in colostrum and to demonstrate elevated cytokine levels in colostrum from women exposed to the virus.

7 Jan 2021

Covid-19 project receives government funding to expand globally

Supercomputing facilities set up to track the spread and evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic have received £1.2M in government funding to expand globally.

7 Jan 2021

Researchers trace back the evolutionary history of antibiotic resistance genes

By comparing thousands of bacterial genomes, scientists in Gothenburg, Sweden have traced back the evolutionary history of antibiotic resistance genes.

7 Jan 2021

ACE2 receptor is responsible for the wide host range of SARS-CoV-2

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is thought to have a zoonotic origin, perhaps originating in a bat coronavirus with an unknown intermediate host. It is not only very infectious but has been found to infect a wide range of mammals, including dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, and minks, besides non-human primates. This range may be still higher, claims a recent preprint that appeared in January 2021 on the bioRxiv server.

6 Jan 2021

In-silico modeling provides new understanding of immune response to SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has crippled global healthcare systems and triggered an economic crisis in many countries. The pandemic is not showing signs of a slowdown even in 2021 with a new and more infectious variant of the virus wreaking havoc in the UK and many other parts of the world.

6 Jan 2021

A map of brainstem circuitry reveals which neurons control fine motor skills

Writing, driving a screw or throwing darts are only some of the activities that demand a high level of skill.

6 Jan 2021

Neutralization antibodies affected by only a few mutations to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain

In a recent bioRxiv* preprint paper, US researchers mapped in detail how mutations to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affected antibody binding in convalescent human serum – and revealed that it is influenced by mutations at only a handful of dominant epitopes.

6 Jan 2021

Groundbreaking technology could revolutionize the dairy industry

Might a new technological development of researchers from Tel Aviv University soon revolutionize the dairy products we consume?

6 Jan 2021

Comprehensive review details the evolution of surgical microscopes

A clear view of anatomical structures is vital for the success of surgery--especially in microsurgery where narrow anatomical cavities or proximity to vulnerable organs and tissues can pose significant risks to patient health.

5 Jan 2021

Researchers identify new weapon to battle the rising tide of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

As scientists around the globe wage war against a novel, deadly virus, one University of Colorado Boulder lab is working on new weapons to battle a different microbial threat: a rising tide of antibiotic-resistant bacteria which, if left unchecked, could kill an estimated 10 million people annually by 2050.

23 Dec 2020

New tool may help monitor serotonin transmission with greater fidelity than current methods

Serotonin is a neurochemical that plays a critical role in the way the brain controls our thoughts and feelings.

23 Dec 2020

New project to develop a platform for monitoring microvascular health of COVID-19 patients

VASCOVID, a new European project, will develop a platform that uses near-infrared light to monitor microvascular health of COVID-19 patients and assist clinicians in delivering customized treatments.

23 Dec 2020

Transcription factors in the brain strongly correlate with the behavior of honey bees

An unusual study that involved bar coding and tracking the behavior of thousands of individual honey bees in six queenless bee hives and analyzing gene expression in their brains offers new insights into how gene regulation contributes to social behavior.

23 Dec 2020

Evolution News and Research

Study shows how new antibiotic resistance genes arise from random DNA sequences

Genetic blueprint provides insights into unique biology of egg-laying monotreme mammals

High-affinity SARS-CoV-2 RBD drives mutation spread, forms basis of new COVID-19 inhibitor

Antibodies and inflammatory markers are pervasive in colostrum of SARS-CoV-2 infected women

Covid-19 project receives government funding to expand globally

Researchers trace back the evolutionary history of antibiotic resistance genes

ACE2 receptor is responsible for the wide host range of SARS-CoV-2

In-silico modeling provides new understanding of immune response to SARS-CoV-2

A map of brainstem circuitry reveals which neurons control fine motor skills

Neutralization antibodies affected by only a few mutations to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain

Groundbreaking technology could revolutionize the dairy industry

Comprehensive review details the evolution of surgical microscopes

Researchers identify new weapon to battle the rising tide of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

New tool may help monitor serotonin transmission with greater fidelity than current methods

New project to develop a platform for monitoring microvascular health of COVID-19 patients

Transcription factors in the brain strongly correlate with the behavior of honey bees

New book traces history of child abuse policy in the U.S.

Study shows how specific Salmonella bacteria evolved to cause bloodstream infection

A real-time platform for monitoring microvascular health of COVID-19 patients in ICUs

Study highlights the far-reaching effects of mutagenic compounds on human health

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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