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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.

Can transgenic mice studies illuminate neurological complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 in humans?

The potentially deadly COVID-19 has not affected animals with corresponding severity. To understand the mechanism of severe disease, animal models have been used. This includes a mouse model that expresses human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) under the cytokeratin 18 promoter (K18-hACE2). A new study indicates that this may not be a faithful model of human lethal infection with SARS-CoV-2.

18 Jan 2021

NK and T cell subsets show distinctive lung-homing receptor profiles in COVID-19 patients

A new study reveals in detail the changes that occur in peripheral blood natural killer (NK) and T cells in COVID-19.

18 Jan 2021

New SARS-CoV-2 variant emerges in the U.S.

Even as the rollout of vaccines all over the world brings a glimmer of hope that the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may end in the near future, new variants continue to emerge, some with the potential to escape vaccine-induced or therapeutic antibodies. Now, a new preprint research paper published on the bioRxiv server describes a new American variant that may have become the dominant strain in the USA.

18 Jan 2021

SARS-CoV-2 anti-N rigid monoclonal antibodies provide accurate early diagnosis

An interesting new preprint research paper that was posted on the bioRxiv* server recently describes the use of rigid monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in contrast to flexible mAbs, and how this affects the binding of multiple mAbs to the same antigen.

17 Jan 2021

Research suggests St. John's Wort and Echinacea could protect against COVID-19

Researchers in Saudi Arabia have conducted a study demonstrating the antiviral effects of two medicinal herbs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

17 Jan 2021

Study: NTRK fusions are far more frequently seen in pediatric tumors

In a large study of pediatric cancer patients, researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have analyzed the frequency, fusion partners, and clinical outcome of neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusions, which are clinical biomarkers that identify patients suitable for treatment with FDA-approved TRK inhibitors.

16 Jan 2021

White-tailed deer susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, study finds

A team of scientists recently demonstrated that white-tailed deer are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the infected animals are capable of transmitting the virus to their non-infected counterparts via indirect contact.

15 Jan 2021

Image-based deep learning haplotype-guided study maps the global adaptation of SARS-CoV-2

A new study used deep learning with image recognition technology to trace the emergence of variants with increased viral fitness. Higher fitness leads to rapid expansion of these lineages in the areas where they are introduced. This type of study could facilitate the development of more effective antibodies and vaccines to help contain the pandemic.

15 Jan 2021

What are the SARS-CoV-2 exposure risks for workers on mink farms?

A new study reports on the risk of COVID-19 among workers on these farms, and in the communities living around such farms.

15 Jan 2021

Study reports promising new monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein

An encouraging new study describes a promising new therapeutic antibody that shows potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.

15 Jan 2021

5 reasons to wear a mask even after you’re vaccinated

As an emergency physician, Dr. Eugenia South was in the first group of people to receive a covid vaccine. She received her second dose last week — even before President-elect Joe Biden.

15 Jan 2021

Targeting RNA splicing can activate antiviral immune pathways in triple negative breast cancers

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered how therapeutics targeting RNA splicing can activate antiviral immune pathways in triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) to trigger tumor cell death and signal the body's immune response.

15 Jan 2021

Study suggests SARS-CoV-2 could affect aquatic wildlife

Researchers have found that oxidative stress and neurotoxicity biomarkers increased in tadpoles exposed to synthetic SARS-CoV-2 spike protein peptides.

14 Jan 2021

New tests may help reveal the transcriptome of SARS-CoV-2 and predict disease course

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to infect people in their hundreds of thousands around the world, a new study describes a panel of novel tests for genomic (g) and subgenomic (sg) mRNAs generated by SARS-CoV-2. Most assays in use at present are either qualitative or semi-quantitative, and cannot evaluate the transcription molecules in detail.

14 Jan 2021

No inflammation of cerebrospinal fluid in COVID-19 patients with neurological features, study finds

Many patients with COVID-19 have shown neurological complications, leading to scientific interest in the role played by its causative pathogen, SARS-CoV-2, in brain inflammation. A new study has described the absence of neuroinflammation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

14 Jan 2021

MVA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate shows strong immunogenicity in preclinical trials

A new study reports the preclinical testing of a recombinant MVA (rMVA) candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the agent that is causing the current COVID-19 pandemic.

14 Jan 2021

New deep-learning framework predicts gene regulation at single-cell level

Scientists at the University of California, Irvine have developed a new deep-learning framework that predicts gene regulation at the single-cell level.

13 Jan 2021

New genomics resource details the small RNA transcriptomes of four mosquito species

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine provide a new genomics resource that details the small RNA transcriptomes (gene expression) of four bio-medically important mosquito species.

13 Jan 2021

Influenza drug enisamium a potential COVID-19 treatment

Researchers in Europe and the United States have demonstrated the potential of the influenza drug enisamium as a treatment for infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

13 Jan 2021

Researchers map genetic changes that may have facilitated SARS-CoV-2’s jump from bats to humans

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the Pirbright Institute in the UK have identified key genetic changes in SARS-CoV-2 that may be responsible for the virus’s jump from bats to humans. The team also determined which animals contain cellular receptors that allow the virus to enter cells more effectively, zoning in on potential animals that acted as an intermediary host in facilitating SARS-CoV-2’s zoonosis.

13 Jan 2021

RNA News and Research

Further Reading

Can transgenic mice studies illuminate neurological complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 in humans?

NK and T cell subsets show distinctive lung-homing receptor profiles in COVID-19 patients

New SARS-CoV-2 variant emerges in the U.S.

SARS-CoV-2 anti-N rigid monoclonal antibodies provide accurate early diagnosis

Research suggests St. John's Wort and Echinacea could protect against COVID-19

Study: NTRK fusions are far more frequently seen in pediatric tumors

White-tailed deer susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, study finds

Image-based deep learning haplotype-guided study maps the global adaptation of SARS-CoV-2

What are the SARS-CoV-2 exposure risks for workers on mink farms?

Study reports promising new monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein

5 reasons to wear a mask even after you’re vaccinated

Targeting RNA splicing can activate antiviral immune pathways in triple negative breast cancers

Study suggests SARS-CoV-2 could affect aquatic wildlife

New tests may help reveal the transcriptome of SARS-CoV-2 and predict disease course

No inflammation of cerebrospinal fluid in COVID-19 patients with neurological features, study finds

MVA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate shows strong immunogenicity in preclinical trials

New deep-learning framework predicts gene regulation at single-cell level

New genomics resource details the small RNA transcriptomes of four mosquito species

Influenza drug enisamium a potential COVID-19 treatment

Researchers map genetic changes that may have facilitated SARS-CoV-2’s jump from bats to humans

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