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Could small synthetic antigen proteins be diagnostic tools for SARS-CoV-2?

Researchers have developed small proteins from sequences in SARS-CoV-2's RBD that bind to ACE2. These were as effective in binding to neutralizing antibodies as larger RBD proteins.

2 Mar 2021

Evonik partners with BioNTech to manufacture lipids for COVID-19 vaccine

Caused by SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread across the globe.

From Evonik 2 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 UK variant shows low virulence and high shedding in hamster model

A new study compares the pathogenicity and infectiousness of one such variant, the VOC 202012/01 (B.1.1.7 lineage) from the United Kingdom, with the globally dominant D614G mutation-carrying strains.

2 Mar 2021

Loss of functions in the PLD1 gene causes congenital heart disease

A team of researchers co-led by Michael Frohman, MD, PhD, of Stony Brook University, has identified an important cause of congenital heart disease.

2 Mar 2021

Unique nanoparticles can package and deliver gene-editing machinery to the liver

The genome editing technology CRISPR has emerged as a powerful new tool that can change the way we treat disease. The challenge when altering the genetics of our cells, however, is how to do it safely, effectively, and specifically targeted to the gene, tissue and organ that needs treatment.

2 Mar 2021

Study shows asthma mediator IL-13 prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection

In a paper published on the bioRxiv preprint server, researchers reported the results on whether IL-13 expression in asthma patients reduces their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

1 Mar 2021

Scientists test the effect of natural product isolated from sea sponge on cancer cells

Scientists from Far Eastern Federal University together with Russian and German colleagues, continue studying antitumor compounds synthesized based on bioactive molecules isolated from a sea sponge.

1 Mar 2021

Researchers evaluate surrogate large-scale SARS-CoV-2 serosurveillance test

A team of international scientists has recently evaluated a surrogate virus neutralization test for severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and observed that it is highly efficacious for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in serum samples. According to the scientists, the test can be effectively used for population-level serosurveillance and evaluation of vaccine efficacy. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

1 Mar 2021

Single-dose of BNT162b2 vaccine may not be protective without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

A new study by researchers at Imperial College London, UK, discusses the effect of a vaccine dose, specifically the BNT162b2 candidate (also known as the ‘Pfizer-BioNTech’ vaccine), on neutralizing antibody titers in individuals who have already been infected with the virus.

1 Mar 2021

Researchers develop new tool for predicting the effects of SARS-CoV-2 missense variants

A new study by a team of researchers in the UK and US describes the use of a computational tool that generates all possible single amino acid substitutions in SARS-CoV-2 and predicts their effects.

26 Feb 2021

Researchers investigate the duration of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2

The optimal timeframe for donating convalescent plasma for use in COVID-19 immunotherapy, which was given emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration in August 2020, is within 60 days of the onset of symptoms, according to a new Penn State-led study.

26 Feb 2021

New approach harnesses disease-causing proteins to combat cancer

Over many decades now, traditional drug discovery methods have steadily improved at keeping diseases at bay and cancer in remission. And for the most part, it's worked well.

26 Feb 2021

Study pinpoints potential transmission advantage of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7

Researchers in the UK have shown that the increased transmissibility of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lineage B.1.1.7 that emerged in the UK during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic does not appear to be the result of increased viral replication or immune escape.

25 Feb 2021

Canadian pilot study uses gene therapy to successfully treat patients with Fabry disease

Results of a world-first Canadian pilot study on patients treated with gene therapy for Fabry disease show that the treatment is working and safe.

25 Feb 2021

Neuroinvasiveness of SARS-CoV-2 shown by viral RNA and inflammation in the brain

A new study describes the results of a macaque study that showed the development of neurological features of inflammation, following infection by SARS-CoV-2.

25 Feb 2021

Study explores individual differences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ACE2-expressing stem cells

The clinical phenotype of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is remarkable for its wide range of severity among individual patients. Genetic variations are known to mediate part of these differences. To examine these differences, researchers in a new study used human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from different genetically diverse individuals. These cells are used to model genetic disease since they contain the donor’s genetic information. Researchers use a panel of iPSCs from over 500 individuals. The researchers preferred undifferentiated iPSCs to reduce the time required to differentiate them, especially since infection is not always reliable.

25 Feb 2021

Less salt content in Parmigiano Reggiano cheese may not affect its distinctive flavor

Aged cheeses pack a punch of nutty, sharp flavor. Before they're fully mature, aged cheeses are either waxed or placed in brine for weeks to create a natural rind. However, the high salt content in brined cheeses deters some consumers.

25 Feb 2021

Novel single-particle digital assay using plasmonic nanobubbles

An interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas applied DIAMOND to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diagnostics and demonstrated that DIAMOND is 150 times more sensitive than commercial lateral flow assays. They found that the measurements are completed within 2 minutes. The results of this study are published on the medRxiv* preprint server.

25 Feb 2021

High expression of ACE2 receptors in developing ovaries increases SARS-CoV-2 risk

A team of scientists from China collaborated to find if SARS-CoV-2 could also infect the ovary at different developmental stages.

25 Feb 2021

Researchers discover new functions of the ENDOU enzyme

Researchers at Freiburg University discover new functions of the widely disseminated, yet little understood ENDOU enzyme.

24 Feb 2021

Enzyme News and Research

Could small synthetic antigen proteins be diagnostic tools for SARS-CoV-2?

Evonik partners with BioNTech to manufacture lipids for COVID-19 vaccine

SARS-CoV-2 UK variant shows low virulence and high shedding in hamster model

Loss of functions in the PLD1 gene causes congenital heart disease

Unique nanoparticles can package and deliver gene-editing machinery to the liver

Study shows asthma mediator IL-13 prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection

Scientists test the effect of natural product isolated from sea sponge on cancer cells

Researchers evaluate surrogate large-scale SARS-CoV-2 serosurveillance test

Single-dose of BNT162b2 vaccine may not be protective without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers develop new tool for predicting the effects of SARS-CoV-2 missense variants

Researchers investigate the duration of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2

New approach harnesses disease-causing proteins to combat cancer

Study pinpoints potential transmission advantage of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7

Canadian pilot study uses gene therapy to successfully treat patients with Fabry disease

Neuroinvasiveness of SARS-CoV-2 shown by viral RNA and inflammation in the brain

Study explores individual differences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ACE2-expressing stem cells

Less salt content in Parmigiano Reggiano cheese may not affect its distinctive flavor

Novel single-particle digital assay using plasmonic nanobubbles

High expression of ACE2 receptors in developing ovaries increases SARS-CoV-2 risk

Researchers discover new functions of the ENDOU enzyme

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