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Neanderthal gene can confer protection against severe COVID-19, finds study

A new study has detailed how some of the genes in the human genome inherited from Neanderthals appear to confer a protective effect against severe COVID-19.

22 Feb 2021

Researchers explain SARS-CoV-2's replication-transcription complex

The current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still spreading rapidly throughout the world. A new preprint on the bioRxiv* server describes the structure of an important viral non-structural protein NSP12-16 and its role in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

22 Feb 2021

Evolution of the spike gene of SARS-CoV-2 for human adaptation

Researchers have found a 96% similarity in nucleotide sequence between bat coronavirus (RaTG13), isolated from Rhinolophus affinis bats in China in 2013, and SARS-CoV-2 and ~97% amino acid similarity with the Spike (S) protein. This S protein performs two essential roles, i.e., mediates receptor-binding and membrane fusion. Hence, spike protein is regarded as a key coronavirus determinant of host tropism.

21 Feb 2021

Direct cloning method aims to accelerate large-scale discovery of novel natural products

Microorganisms possess natural product biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that may harbor unique bioactivities for use in drug development and agricultural applications.

20 Feb 2021

Whole-genome study of IBD in African Americans reveals a different genetic risk landscape

In African Americans, the genetic risk landscape for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is very different from that of people with European ancestry, according to results of the first whole-genome study of IBD in African Americans.

20 Feb 2021

Researchers find CXCR6 gene plays a role in COVID-19 severity

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study demonstrating that a gene called CXCR6 (C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 6) may play an important role in determining the severity of COVID-19.

19 Feb 2021

Analyzing short strands of cell-free DNA in urine could help detect early-stage cancer

Urinalysis has long been a staple of physical exams to detect and manage a number of diseases and disorders, but not cancer.

18 Feb 2021

New study to explore how Apple Watch can provide early warning for worsening heart failure

As part of the University Health Network, renowned cardiologist Dr. Heather Ross has launched a new clinical study, in collaboration with Apple to test if remote monitoring with Apple Watch can help with early identification of worsening heart failure.

18 Feb 2021

Study reveals genetic signature of colibactin implicated in the development colorectal cancers

Escherichia coli bacteria are constitutive members of the human gut microbiota. However, some strains produce a genotoxin called colibactin, which is implicated in the development of colorectal cancer.

18 Feb 2021

3D microscopy sheds light on the body’s immune response to obesity

Researchers who focus on fat know that some adipose tissue is more prone to inflammation-related comorbidities than others, but the reasons why are not well understood.

18 Feb 2021

Where might future novel coronaviruses come from?

The researchers predicted many more associations between coronaviruses and host species than have been observed to date. They also predicted 30 times more potential recombination hosts of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

17 Feb 2021

Study uncovers how the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant entered the United States

A team led by researchers from the Yale School of Public Health has found how the B.1.1.7 variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), first found in the United Kingdom, made its way into several states in the United States.

17 Feb 2021

The origin of SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site remains a mystery

A new study discusses the origin of the furin cleavage site on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which is responsible for the virus’s relatively high infectivity compared to relatives in the betacoronavirus subgenus.

17 Feb 2021

People with ADHD and DBDs share genetic variants associated with risky behaviors

People with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) combined with disruptive behaviour disorders (DBDs) share about the 80% of genetic variants associated with aggressive and antisocial behaviors.

17 Feb 2021

Scientists examine DNA repair pathways and their impact on cancer evolution

DNA repair pathways exist to correct molecular damage caused by internal and external factors. However, any damage to these pathways can result in the creation of tumors and specific types of cancers.

17 Feb 2021

Detection of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant in New York

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena have developed a software tool called "Variant Database" that has detected an emerging lineage of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) isolates in New York.

16 Feb 2021

Genetic variant inherited from Neanderthals associated with protection against severe COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, impacts people in different ways after infection. Some experience only mild or no symptoms at all while others become sick enough to require hospitalization and may develop respiratory failure and die.

16 Feb 2021

Study outlines the reasons to test pediatric cancer patients for inherited genes

Because cancers in children are rare, many details about their biology remain unknown. In the field of cancer genetics, there's a limited understanding of how inherited genetic changes may contribute to the formation and growth of tumors.

16 Feb 2021

British and South African SARS-CoV-2 variants show some resistance to neutralizing antibodies

Researchers in France report impaired neutralization of two new SARS-CoV-2 variants by antibodies induced by vaccination or natural infection.

16 Feb 2021

ERS Genomics and ZeClinics sign CRISPR/Cas9 license agreement

ERS Genomics Limited, which was formed to provide broad access to the foundational CRISPR/Cas9 intellectual property co-owned by Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, and ZeClinics, a contract research organization using zebrafish to carry out services focused on analyzing the safety, efficacy and biomedical relevance of new compounds, today announced a non-exclusive license agreement granting ZeClinics access to ERS Genomics’ CRISPR/Cas9 patent portfolio.

From ZeClinics SL 16 Feb 2021

Genomic News and Research

Neanderthal gene can confer protection against severe COVID-19, finds study

Researchers explain SARS-CoV-2's replication-transcription complex

Evolution of the spike gene of SARS-CoV-2 for human adaptation

Direct cloning method aims to accelerate large-scale discovery of novel natural products

Whole-genome study of IBD in African Americans reveals a different genetic risk landscape

Researchers find CXCR6 gene plays a role in COVID-19 severity

Analyzing short strands of cell-free DNA in urine could help detect early-stage cancer

New study to explore how Apple Watch can provide early warning for worsening heart failure

Study reveals genetic signature of colibactin implicated in the development colorectal cancers

3D microscopy sheds light on the body’s immune response to obesity

Where might future novel coronaviruses come from?

Study uncovers how the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant entered the United States

The origin of SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site remains a mystery

People with ADHD and DBDs share genetic variants associated with risky behaviors

Scientists examine DNA repair pathways and their impact on cancer evolution

Detection of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant in New York

Genetic variant inherited from Neanderthals associated with protection against severe COVID-19

Study outlines the reasons to test pediatric cancer patients for inherited genes

British and South African SARS-CoV-2 variants show some resistance to neutralizing antibodies

ERS Genomics and ZeClinics sign CRISPR/Cas9 license agreement

The art of CRISPR: The power and promise of gene editing eBook

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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