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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.

Comprehensive "cell atlas" shows how COVID-19 can lead to organ failure and death

Scientists from several hospitals and research centers have shown what happens in individual cells of patients who died of COVID-19. In a study published in Nature, the researchers describe how infected cells from multiple organs exhibited a range of molecular and genomic changes.

3 May 2021

Study reveals new broadly neutralizing and protective antibody against coronaviruses

In the setting of potentially reduced vaccine efficacy against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to emerging viral variants, the deployment of effective treatments based on monoclonal antibodies may be an additional strategy to help control the pandemic. A new study by US researchers, currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server, describes the action of a specific antibody known as DH1047.

3 May 2021

Researchers develop a nanoparticle-based formulation with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity

A study recently published in the journal Matter has demonstrated the development and validation of a nanoparticle-based formulation, capable of completely inhibiting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection blocking the interaction between viral spike protein and host cell angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

3 May 2021

Could CRISPR be used as a SARS-CoV-2 antiviral?

The potential of using this gene manipulation technology as a SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor or prophylactic is investigated in a review recently uploaded to the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine (April 25th, 2021) by Arnab Banerjee and colleagues.

2 May 2021

Study implies a likely rise of future SARS-CoV-2 recombinants

A recent astonishing feat by US researchers revealed that recombination is not only widespread in the evolutionary history of SARS-like coronaviruses, but it can also increase fitness traits of seasonal coronaviruses. Their paper is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server and sets the stage for phylogenetic tracking of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

2 May 2021

Live "attenuated" influenza virus vaccine protects animals against respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2

Researchers in the United States and Austria have demonstrated the potential of a modified influenza virus as a vaccine to protect against viral respiratory pathogens, including the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

2 May 2021

Researchers identify important factor in the development of dendritic cells

The human immune system comprises functionally specialized cellular defense mechanisms that protect the body against disease. These include the dendritic cells.

30 Apr 2021

Applications of nanoparticles in combating COVID-19

Researchers review the various properties and use of nanoparticles in targeting SARS-CoV-2 and how they could be used to develop new therapeutics and diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2.

30 Apr 2021

Hepatitis C antivirals synergize with remdesivir to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

A new study sheds light on the potential of drug combinations to stem viral transmission and treat patients with COVID-19. It also shows that four drugs used to treat hepatitis C synergize with remdesivir to make it up to ten times more effective at inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 in cell cultures.

30 Apr 2021

Could COVID-19 rapid antigen tests aid international border control measures?

A recent study has explored the use of rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 at borders to reduce community transmission, and concluded that it would be effective only at lower volumes of passenger traffic.

30 Apr 2021

Researchers review materials used to design biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 detection

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is still causing a dramatic loss of human lives worldwide, constituting an unprecedented challenge for society, public health, and economy, to overcome. Currently, SARS-CoV-2 can be diagnosed in two different ways: i) antigen tests (point-of-care, POC) and ii) molecular tests (nucleic acid, RNA, or PCR-polymerase chain reaction).

30 Apr 2021

Study: LFDs are inaccurate at diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infections in individuals with lower viral loads

The United Kingdom government plans to implement mass scale population testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection using Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs), yet the devices' sensitivity is unknown

30 Apr 2021

Monoclonal antibody CT-P59 shows preclinical efficacy against South African SARS-CoV-2 variant

Researchers in the Republic of Korea (South Korea), The Netherlands, and South Africa have demonstrated the potential of the monoclonal antibody CT-P59 as an effective therapeutic for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the South African B.1.351 variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

29 Apr 2021

"COVID-19 diarrhea" depends on inflammatory response that is part of the disease

Researchers in the United States have provided important insights into the pathophysiology of diarrhea that occurs in some cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

29 Apr 2021

Is Hong Kong’s fourth wave of COVID-19 due to the Q57H SARS-CoV-2 variant?

A recent article in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Emerging Infectious Diseases reveals that the last of these was probably due to the introduction of a new variant from Nepal. This novel variant had been circulating in the community for about a month before the last outbreak was reported.

29 Apr 2021

Researchers discover how SARS-CoV-2 hijacks human cell machinery to blunt immune response

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have discovered one way in which SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, hijacks human cell machinery to blunt the immune response, allowing it to establish infection, replicate and cause disease.

29 Apr 2021

Pancreatic cancer cells de-differentiate to spawn highly aggressive tumors, study shows

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has identified a previously unrecognized mechanism by which cancer cells of a relatively benign subtype of pancreatic tumors methodically revert-or "de-differentiate"-to a progenitor, or immature, state of cellular development to spawn highly aggressive tumors that are capable of metastasis to the liver and lymph nodes.

29 Apr 2021

Texas A&M AgriLife receives grant to support research on bacteriophage therapy

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIAID, part of the National Institutes of Health, NIH, has awarded $2.5 million in grants to support research on bacteriophage therapy, and Texas A&M AgriLife Research is among the grant recipients.

29 Apr 2021

Study of 180 breastfeeding mothers after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination

Vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, were developed at an unprecedented pace. To date, more than 1 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide, many of which messenger RNA (mRNA) based.

29 Apr 2021

Recovered COVID-19 patients show signs of long-term immunity

A study conducted by researchers in the United States has found that most patients who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) showed signs of long-lasting immunity against the causative agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

28 Apr 2021

RNA News and Research

Further Reading

Comprehensive "cell atlas" shows how COVID-19 can lead to organ failure and death

Study reveals new broadly neutralizing and protective antibody against coronaviruses

Researchers develop a nanoparticle-based formulation with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity

Could CRISPR be used as a SARS-CoV-2 antiviral?

Study implies a likely rise of future SARS-CoV-2 recombinants

Live "attenuated" influenza virus vaccine protects animals against respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2

Researchers identify important factor in the development of dendritic cells

Applications of nanoparticles in combating COVID-19

Hepatitis C antivirals synergize with remdesivir to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

Could COVID-19 rapid antigen tests aid international border control measures?

Researchers review materials used to design biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 detection

Study: LFDs are inaccurate at diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infections in individuals with lower viral loads

Monoclonal antibody CT-P59 shows preclinical efficacy against South African SARS-CoV-2 variant

"COVID-19 diarrhea" depends on inflammatory response that is part of the disease

Is Hong Kong’s fourth wave of COVID-19 due to the Q57H SARS-CoV-2 variant?

Researchers discover how SARS-CoV-2 hijacks human cell machinery to blunt immune response

Pancreatic cancer cells de-differentiate to spawn highly aggressive tumors, study shows

Texas A&M AgriLife receives grant to support research on bacteriophage therapy

Study of 180 breastfeeding mothers after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination

Recovered COVID-19 patients show signs of long-term immunity

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