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Computational study reveals SARS-CoV-2 spike protein structural stability

Using dynamic contact maps and energy differences between different conformations of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein (or S-protein), an international team of researchers have recently published an article on the bioRxiv preprint server showing the different stable conformations of the spike protein.

4 Nov 2020

D614G mutation enhances stability of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

A new study, published on the preprint server bioRxiv in November 2020 by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science, has explored this issue further. The researchers have found that this mutation is associated with structural and energetic changes that cause this spike variant to become more available during infection, thus rendering the associated strain more infective.

4 Nov 2020

RNA-binding proteins may suppress antiviral defenses against SARS-CoV-2

Conducted by researchers in South Korea at the Institute for Basic Science and the International Vaccine Institute, a new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in November 2020 describes the many host proteins that bind with the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and regulate the replication of the virus.

4 Nov 2020

Study shows brilacidin strongly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 in laboratory cell lines

A recent study by US researchers reveals that brilacidin, a small synthetic molecule with peptide-like properties, exerts potent in vitro antiviral activity against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – both as a standalone treatment and in combination with FDA-approved remdesivir. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv preprint server.

4 Nov 2020

Synthetic antibody may prevent coronavirus from infecting human cells

By screening hundreds of synthetic antibodies, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and EMBL Hamburg in Germany have identified an antibody that may prevent the new coronavirus from infecting human cells.

4 Nov 2020

Researchers use new approach to study the mechanisms of cellular uptake of amyloid beta

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease is the formation of amyloid plaques--sticky clumps of a protein called amyloid beta--that collect between neurons in the brain.

3 Nov 2020

Engineers use electric fields to manipulate viruses in microfluidic device

The technique uses microfluidics -- the submillimeter control of fluids within a precise, geometric structure. On what is basically a tricked-out microscope slide, chemical engineers from Michigan Technological University have been able to manipulate viruses in a microfluidic device using electric fields.

3 Nov 2020

Estonian researchers provide clues to control the aggressive nature of SARS-CoV-2

Recent study by Estonian researchers in University of Tartu explains how coronavirus is activated before attacking the cell and what could help to impede that.

2 Nov 2020

New method marks receptor proteins in selected cells

Where in a nerve cell is a certain receptor protein located? Without an answer to this question, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the function of this protein.

2 Nov 2020

Novel MRI contrast agent offers hope for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease

Hong Kong Baptist University scientists have invented a novel contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging, which enables real-time visualization and detection of the size and number of amyloid-beta in the brain, a main hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

2 Nov 2020

The road to achieving single molecular spectroscopy using nanoIR

In this interview, Francesco Simone Ruggeri from the University of Cambridge talks to News-Medical Life Sciences about their research into biomolecules and the methods that are helping to achieve spectra at the single-molecule scale.

From Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology 30 Oct 2020

Study examines link between SARS-CoV-2 genomic load and COVID-19 patient outcomes

A new study published online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society examines whether the amount of RNA, or genomic load, of SARS-CoV-2 detected in swab tests of patients being admitted to the hospital with viral pneumonia is associated with more severe COVID-19.

30 Oct 2020

SARS-CoV-2 viroporin triggers NLRP3 inflammasome causing a severe inflammatory response

Now, a team of researchers at the University of Florida report that the SARS-CoV-2 viroporin triggers the NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which is responsible for the inflammatory pathology in severely ill COVID-19 patients.

30 Oct 2020

Biophysicists develop computer model that shows effect of antiseptics on bacterial membranes

A team of biophysics from leading Russian research and educational institutions (MSU, RUDN University, and the Federal Research and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia) developed a computer model that shows the effect of antiseptics on bacterial membranes.

29 Oct 2020

Researchers develop controllable system for mimicking biochemical reaction cascades in cells

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a precisely controllable system for mimicking biochemical reaction cascades in cells.

29 Oct 2020

Mouth may be primary route of SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission

A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv in October 2020 shows that the virus also multiplies robustly in the oral cavity, indicating that saliva plays a role in viral transmission.

29 Oct 2020

Scientists compare ACE2 interaction with SARS-CoV-2 across species

Like other pathogenic coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 crossed the species barrier to cause human disease. This fact motivated the current study, published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in October 2020, which explores the way coronaviruses engage their host cell receptors in a range of animals.

28 Oct 2020

Furin cleavage site and D614G on SARS-CoV-2 spike evolved to balance infectivity, stability, cytopathicity

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 disease, currently raging across the world. The virus has now infected more than 43.89 million individuals and claimed over 1.16 million lives. The study titled, "Spike glycoprotein and host cell determinants of SARS-CoV-2 entry and cytopathic effects," is released on the preprint server bioRxiv* in October 2020.

27 Oct 2020

WSU research sheds new light on a drug that may be used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Research at Washington State University sheds new light on one molecule that may be used to treat a heart condition that can lead to stroke, heart attack and other forms of heart disease.

27 Oct 2020

Research on autophagy and coronavirus, implicates ULK1

Researchers from the University of British Columbia have discovered that the betacoronavirus-encoded papain-like protease disrupts autophagy, partly by targeting ULK1. Their work is reported on the preprint server bioRxiv* in October 2020.

27 Oct 2020

Membrane News and Research

Computational study reveals SARS-CoV-2 spike protein structural stability

D614G mutation enhances stability of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

RNA-binding proteins may suppress antiviral defenses against SARS-CoV-2

Study shows brilacidin strongly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 in laboratory cell lines

Synthetic antibody may prevent coronavirus from infecting human cells

Researchers use new approach to study the mechanisms of cellular uptake of amyloid beta

Engineers use electric fields to manipulate viruses in microfluidic device

Estonian researchers provide clues to control the aggressive nature of SARS-CoV-2

New method marks receptor proteins in selected cells

Novel MRI contrast agent offers hope for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease

The road to achieving single molecular spectroscopy using nanoIR

Study examines link between SARS-CoV-2 genomic load and COVID-19 patient outcomes

SARS-CoV-2 viroporin triggers NLRP3 inflammasome causing a severe inflammatory response

Biophysicists develop computer model that shows effect of antiseptics on bacterial membranes

Researchers develop controllable system for mimicking biochemical reaction cascades in cells

Mouth may be primary route of SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission

Scientists compare ACE2 interaction with SARS-CoV-2 across species

Furin cleavage site and D614G on SARS-CoV-2 spike evolved to balance infectivity, stability, cytopathicity

WSU research sheds new light on a drug that may be used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Research on autophagy and coronavirus, implicates ULK1

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