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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.

New genetic editing tools could stop the spread of mosquito diseases

Since the onset of the CRISPR genetic editing revolution, scientists have been working to leverage the technology in the development of gene drives that target pathogen-spreading mosquitoes such as Anopheles and Aedes species, which spread malaria, dengue and other life-threatening diseases.

29 May 2021

DFG establishes new collaborative research centers to promote world-class research at universities

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is establishing eleven new Collaborative Research Centers (CRC) to promote world-class research at universities. This was announced by the relevant Grants Committee, which met by video conference due to the coronavirus pandemic.

29 May 2021

New, portable saliva screening test detects SARS-CoV-2 in five-minutes

International research led by Monash University and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity has achieved a proof of concept for a new, fast, portable saliva screening test that uses an infrared light technology to confirm infection with SARS-CoV-2.

29 May 2021

Loss of gut epithelial barrier responsible for COVID-19-related MIS-C in children, suggests study

A new paper in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reports that this condition is due to damage to the gut, mediated by a decrease in the protein called zonulin, which is responsible for the integrity of the gut epithelial barrier. Reduced zonulin levels are found in several inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

28 May 2021

Researchers use genomic sequencing technique to detect presence of various microbes

About 12,000 bacteria and viruses collected in a sampling from public transit systems and hospitals around the world from 2015 to 2017 had never before been identified, according to a study by the International MetaSUB Consortium, a global effort at tracking microbes that is led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

27 May 2021

New favipiravir derivative is a potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor

In a new study recently published in Chemical Papers by Dr. Amgad Rabie (May 16th, 2021), a high potency derivative of favipiravir towards SARS-CoV-2 is engineered and investigated.

27 May 2021

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may not be associated with adverse effects on fertility and breastfeeding, says study

A recent study by researchers in Singapore shows the absence of evidence for adverse effects on fertility or the presence of the vaccine mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) in breast milk, following the administration of the Pfizer BNT162B2 COVID-19 vaccine. This supports efforts to prevent the spread of false information about the effects of the vaccine.

27 May 2021

Researchers develop “cell encapsulation” technology to stimulate immunity to fight cancer

Immunotherapy techniques developed in oncology to combat cancerous cells have great potential for fighting viruses.

27 May 2021

Could the marine compound plitidepsin promote recovery from moderate COVID-19?

A new paper by an international team of researchers describes experimental evidence of the antiviral efficacy of a marine compound called plitidepsin against SARS-CoV-2. The findings show that plitidepsin inhibits SARS-CoV at low concentrations, as observed by a thousand-fold reduction in genomic RNA and viral titers in cells exposed to the virus in culture when treated.

27 May 2021

New DNA COVID-19 vaccine proven effective in mice

A new study has shown that a new DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine successfully induced immunization against SARS-CoV-2 in mice and hamsters.

27 May 2021

New plasmofluidic chip could speed up diagnosis during current and future pandemics

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been the gold standard for diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

27 May 2021

Protein-RNA interactions in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells reveal key regulators of infection

Researchers in the UK, including the University of Oxford and Glasgow, as well as the University of Heidelberg, published their analysis of protein-RNA interactions in SARS-CoV-2 and the subsequent significance in the journal Molecular Cell. This research could help to uncover novel antiviral strategies for COVID-19 due to a broader understanding of how the virus works.

27 May 2021

CASdetec: new CRISPR-based SARS-CoV-2 detection platform detects nucleic acids with high sensitivity and specificity

To add to existing CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection protocols, a team of researchers recently established a new SARS-CoV-2 detection protocol based on their previously reported platform - CDetection (Cas12b-mediated DNA detection). They combined nucleic-acid amplification methods and sample treatment protocols with CDetection and established an integrated nucleic acid detection platform called CRISPR-assisted detection or CASdetec. CASdetec has a detection limit of 1×104 copies/mL for SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, without any observed cross-reactivity.

26 May 2021

New COVID-19 test can deliver highly accurate results in less than 15 minutes

A new rapid coronavirus test developed by KAUST scientists can deliver highly accurate results in less than 15 minutes.

26 May 2021

Researchers develop a method to detect SARS-CoV-2 and variants simultaneously

Researchers demonstrate a method of detecting the presence and mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus using the smaller and cheaper Oxford Nanopore sequencer, a method they believe could make pandemic surveillance faster and cheaper.

26 May 2021

Rapid Removal of gDNA from RNA Samples

Porvair Sciences has launched Chromatrap® gDNA Removal Columns that quickly remove unwanted genomic DNA (gDNA) from RNA samples.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 26 May 2021

Non-droplet routes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission

In a recent review article published in the Science of The Total Environment journal, a group of Polish researchers discussed the different transmission routes of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In their work, the researchers focused on the extent of SARS-CoV-2 survival in the environment, particularly in sewages and contaminated surfaces.

26 May 2021

An exploratory study of T-cell and antibody responses after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination

Recent COVID-19 investigations have found that up to half of immunocompromised individuals struggle to produce antibodies after receiving their severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccinations.

26 May 2021

Previous H3N2 influenza A infection may explain some cases of severe COVID-19

According to research from the University of California, some cases of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be related to the immunological memory of previous H3N2 influenza A infection.

26 May 2021

Moderna's COVID vaccine proves effective against South African variant in primates

Researchers in the United States have demonstrated the efficacy of Moderna’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine at protecting against the South African B.1.351 variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in non-human primates.

26 May 2021

RNA News and Research

Further Reading

New genetic editing tools could stop the spread of mosquito diseases

DFG establishes new collaborative research centers to promote world-class research at universities

New, portable saliva screening test detects SARS-CoV-2 in five-minutes

Loss of gut epithelial barrier responsible for COVID-19-related MIS-C in children, suggests study

Researchers use genomic sequencing technique to detect presence of various microbes

New favipiravir derivative is a potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may not be associated with adverse effects on fertility and breastfeeding, says study

Researchers develop “cell encapsulation” technology to stimulate immunity to fight cancer

Could the marine compound plitidepsin promote recovery from moderate COVID-19?

New DNA COVID-19 vaccine proven effective in mice

New plasmofluidic chip could speed up diagnosis during current and future pandemics

Protein-RNA interactions in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells reveal key regulators of infection

CASdetec: new CRISPR-based SARS-CoV-2 detection platform detects nucleic acids with high sensitivity and specificity

New COVID-19 test can deliver highly accurate results in less than 15 minutes

Researchers develop a method to detect SARS-CoV-2 and variants simultaneously

Rapid Removal of gDNA from RNA Samples

Non-droplet routes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission

An exploratory study of T-cell and antibody responses after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination

Previous H3N2 influenza A infection may explain some cases of severe COVID-19

Moderna's COVID vaccine proves effective against South African variant in primates

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