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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

Distinct spike protein mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variant in Russia

Additionally, a novel variant has recently been characterized by researchers from Russia in the journal Viruses. The variant, first discovered in January 2021 in Northwest Russia, is characterized by distinct spike protein mutations.

7 Jun 2021

New research identifies protein as therapeutic anti-viral target for COVID-19

New research identified a novel interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the galectin-3-binding protein (LGALS3BP) which could be a new therapeutic anti-viral target.

7 Jun 2021

Novel method allows rapid, absolute quantification of viral nucleic acids

Researchers from Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine, an Interdisciplinary Research Group at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, MIT's research enterprise in Singapore, have developed a new method for rapid and accurate detection of viral nucleic acids - a breakthrough that can be easily adapted to detect different DNA/RNA targets in viruses like the coronavirus.

7 Jun 2021

The genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in the USA

In a research paper recently uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv by Capoferri et al. (June 4th, 2021), the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 through each phase is examined in detail using publicly available genomic data available from before 2021, highlighting the need to continuously track and assess the evolution of the virus to ensure the future efficacy of the currently available vaccines.

7 Jun 2021

Genome-scale CRISPR screens pinpoint promising antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2

In a recent research paper currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server, scientists in the US used genome-scale CRISPR knockout screens to identify factors that promote infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), revealing the potential for broad-spectrum activity across the coronavirus family.

7 Jun 2021

mRNA vaccines shown to be 97% protective against COVID-19 in working-age population

Researchers in the United States have demonstrated the effectiveness of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccination at protecting against infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among almost 47,000 healthcare workers.

7 Jun 2021

UVA researchers discover potential treatment approaches for muscle loss in myotonic dystrophy type 1

University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have identified new insights and potential treatment approaches for muscle loss in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the most common form of muscular dystrophy.

7 Jun 2021

Researchers uncover molecular mechanism linking Parkinson’s disease with COVID-19

The study findings reveal that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection results in abnormal modification of some lung proteins, which are subsequently transported to the brain via exosomes. In the brain, these modified lung proteins disrupt the normal functioning of proteins that are related to Parkinson’s disease.

7 Jun 2021

Researchers create cellular and spatial “atlas” of the choroid plexus during different life stages

Once viewed merely as a producer of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bathing the brain and spinal cord, the choroid plexus is now known to be a key player in brain development and immunity.

7 Jun 2021

Study explores therapeutic potential of exploiting autophagy cascade against COVID-19

Researchers recently reviewed current knowledge on links between autophagy and coronaviruses and how this knowledge can be used to repurpose autophagy modulators as potential treatment options for COVID-19. The review is published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.

7 Jun 2021

New data from CDC on effectiveness of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study demonstrating the real-world effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines at preventing infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

6 Jun 2021

New bioengineered reporter system allows to follow protein isoform expression over time in live cells

Our proteome is much bigger than our genome because one gene produces several variants of proteins called protein isoforms, whose disbalance is implicated in many diseases. c

5 Jun 2021

Research reveals paternal transmission of stress responses to offspring via sperm

Male mice more susceptible to stress can pass down their behaviors to offspring via changes in their sperm’s genetic code, according to new research published in JNeurosci.

4 Jun 2021

Novel insights can open doors to combating clotting-related problems in COVID-19

Researchers scour what is known to come up with a hypothesis of why blood clots can be a major problem in COVID-19

4 Jun 2021

People who received Pfizer-Biontech vaccine have lower antibody levels targeting the delta variant

Levels of antibodies in the blood of vaccinated people that are able to recognise and fight the new SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant first discovered in India (B.1.617.2) are on average lower than those against previously circulating variants in the UK, according to new laboratory data from the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) UCLH Biomedical Research Centre, published today (Thursday) as a Research letter in The Lancet.

4 Jun 2021

Two repurposed drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry factors in a synergistic manner

A preprint paper uploaded to the bioRxiv* server shows how combining drugs targeting different entry factors of the host cell may prevent infection by the virus.

3 Jun 2021

NIH study identifies promising oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19

The experimental drug TEMPOL may be a promising oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19, suggests a study of cell cultures by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

3 Jun 2021

How bacterial cells have been engineered to produce virus-resistant synthetic polymers

A recent Science paper discusses the utilization of a previously reported synthetic Escherichia coli to produce virus-resistant synthetic polymers.

3 Jun 2021

Study compares Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccine-elicited response to SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new study has been published on the bioRxiv preprint server which focuses on the correlation between the vaccine-triggered Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and neutralization titers against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Further, neutralization activities against the variants (B.1.1.7, B.1.525, and B.1.351), using Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, sera were assessed.

3 Jun 2021

SARS-CoV-2 exploits metal-dependent mechanism to evade immune surveillance

Scientists from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have discovered a mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 exploits changes in metal ion concentrations to disguise itself in the body. Varying concentrations of metal ions -- positively charged atoms such as magnesium, manganese and calcium -- are observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

3 Jun 2021

RNA News and Research

Further Reading

Distinct spike protein mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variant in Russia

New research identifies protein as therapeutic anti-viral target for COVID-19

Novel method allows rapid, absolute quantification of viral nucleic acids

The genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in the USA

Genome-scale CRISPR screens pinpoint promising antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2

mRNA vaccines shown to be 97% protective against COVID-19 in working-age population

UVA researchers discover potential treatment approaches for muscle loss in myotonic dystrophy type 1

Researchers uncover molecular mechanism linking Parkinson’s disease with COVID-19

Researchers create cellular and spatial “atlas” of the choroid plexus during different life stages

Study explores therapeutic potential of exploiting autophagy cascade against COVID-19

New data from CDC on effectiveness of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines

New bioengineered reporter system allows to follow protein isoform expression over time in live cells

Research reveals paternal transmission of stress responses to offspring via sperm

Novel insights can open doors to combating clotting-related problems in COVID-19

People who received Pfizer-Biontech vaccine have lower antibody levels targeting the delta variant

Two repurposed drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry factors in a synergistic manner

NIH study identifies promising oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19

How bacterial cells have been engineered to produce virus-resistant synthetic polymers

Study compares Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccine-elicited response to SARS-CoV-2 variants

SARS-CoV-2 exploits metal-dependent mechanism to evade immune surveillance

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