Cell Membrane News and Research

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Role of S-acylation in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity

A new study published in Developmental Cell investigates S-acylation of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein.

10 Oct 2021

Study supports efficacy and safety of lung-selective nanotherapy against SARS-CoV-2 infection

A new preprint shows the potential role of a host protease cathepsin L inhibitor, which mediates viral entry into the host cell by its effect on the viral spike protein.

8 Oct 2021

Novel peptide-drug conjugate enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy in preclinical cancer models

A peptide-drug conjugate that targets the acidic environment of cancer cells enhanced the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in preclinical cancer models, according to results presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held October 7-10, 2021.

7 Oct 2021

Scientists develop a cell-free assay to screen SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors

Scientists have developed and validated a cell-free fluorescence assay for the rapid screening of protein inhibitors.

7 Oct 2021

The role of ZBP1 in promoting SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine expression

A new study reported that the ZBP1-induced inflammatory signaling pathway is dependent on ubiquitination and RIPK3’s scaffolding ability, independent of cell death.

5 Oct 2021

Glycerin helps calm the red itchy patches in psoriasis model

Patients with psoriasis have reported that glycerin, an inexpensive, harmless, slightly sweet liquid high on the list of ingredients in many skin lotions, is effective at combatting their psoriasis and now scientists have objective evidence to support their reports.

4 Oct 2021

Structure of monoclonal antibody that can potently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern

A new preprint deals with the analysis of the monoclonal antibody J08, which was capable of powerful neutralization of the wildtype SARS-CoV-2, and its VOCs.

1 Oct 2021

Researchers develop fluorescence quenching assay to probe the integrity of cell membrane coating

Cell membrane coated biomimetic nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely studied in nanomedicine because of their unique properties such as immune escaping, long blood circulation, specific molecular recognition and efficient cancer targeting, indicating a great potential in targeted cancer therapy.

30 Sep 2021

Researchers develop novel antibacterial material for wound dressing

Researchers at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS (IOCB Prague) and the Technical University of Liberec in collaboration with researchers from the Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, the Department of Burns Medicine of the Third Faculty of Medicine at Charles University (Czech Republic), and P. J. Šafárik University in Košice (Slovakia) have developed a novel antibacterial material combining nonwoven nanotextile and unique compounds with antibacterial properties.

30 Sep 2021

Large-scale SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutants analysis identifies subclonal variants indicative of within-host viral diversity

Researchers have investigated a vast SARS-CoV-2 assembly and NGS data set to detect non-synonymous S protein mutations.

29 Sep 2021

Chronic COVID-19 and divergent variants of SARS-CoV-2

A new study discusses the isolation of two variants of concern (VOCs) from an immunocompromised COVID-19 patient.

27 Sep 2021

COVID-19 transmission is higher with warm weather and increased visits to indoors public places, study finds

A new study finds that environmental factors and human mobility predict seasonal changes in COVID-19 rates, just as in influenza and similar diseases.

23 Sep 2021

Researchers seek to identify the role of hypoxia on red blood cell aging

Red blood cells are the most abundant cell type in blood, carrying oxygen throughout the human body. In blood circulation, they repetitively encounter various levels of oxygen tension.

22 Sep 2021

Researchers provide structural insights into HCV receptor binding and entry

In a new paper published in Nature, scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, describe the structure of a key protein on the surface of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and how it interacts with its receptor found on some human cells.

21 Sep 2021

Researchers discover new mechanism used by a simple yeast cell to acquire its shape

Working with light to activate processes within genetically modified fission yeast cells is among the research performed by the experimental biologists in the Martin Lab at the University of Lausanne, led by faculty member Sophie Martin.

18 Sep 2021

Antiviral compound RG10 acts via intracellular SARS-CoV-2-ER dynamics

A new study describes a small molecule referred to as RG10 that may have potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in human cells.

16 Sep 2021

Scientists identify novel mechanism that links genetic defect in IBD patients to gut leakiness

A team of researchers led by a biomedical scientist at the University of California, Riverside, has identified a novel mechanism by which loss-of-function mutations in the gene PTPN2, found in many patients with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, affect how intestinal epithelial cells maintain a barrier.

3 Sep 2021

First pharmacological treatment option for patients with a severe form of epilepsy

Epilepsy comes in a variety of forms. Those affected by a genetically de- termined variety have severe epileptic seizures as early as the first year of life.

1 Sep 2021

Structure-based model of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein reveals opportunity to halt virus transmission

Scientists have simulated the transition of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein structure from when it recognizes the host cell to when it gains entry, according to a study published today in eLife.