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Small protein prevents immune system from destroying pancreatic cells in type 1 diabetes-prone mice

A new study has shown that treating type 1 diabetes-prone mice with the small protein MOTS-c prevented the immune system from destroying insulin-producing pancreatic cells, effectively preventing the onset of the autoimmune disease.

16 Aug 2021

Researchers assess the genetic features of T-cell immunity development to SARS-CoV-2 variants

The continuing emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 mutations allows the virus to spread more effectively and evade antibodies. However, it is unclear whether new strains are capable of evading T-cell immunity - one of the body's main lines of defense against COVID-19.

16 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Spike may trigger production of antibodies that cross-react with human thrombopoietin to induce thrombocytopenia

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected individuals often suffer from thrombocytopenia, a condition associated with low platelet counts. The cytokine thrombopoietin regulates platelet count. Previous studies have reported that thrombocytopenia can increase the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality rate by about five times.

16 Aug 2021

Scientists develop new approach to identify proteins in the living brain

For the first time, researchers have developed a successful approach for identifying proteins inside different types of neurons in the brain of a living animal.

11 Aug 2021

Novel imaging method shines new light on complex coordination molecules

Coordination compounds have molecular structures which consist of either one or multiple metal atoms at the center, surrounded by non-metal atoms.

10 Aug 2021

Tiny gel drops for the development of regenerative therapies

Tiny drops that resemble an extracellular matrix can be used to culture cells for delivery into the human body.

9 Aug 2021

Dileucine more effective than leucine in stimulating muscle-building in humans

In a randomized control study of 10 healthy young men, researchers compared how consuming the single amino acid leucine or its two-molecule equivalent, dileucine, influenced muscle-building and breakdown.

9 Aug 2021

Monoclonal antibody could inform development of pan-coronavirus vaccines

Researchers in the United States have demonstrated the potential of a monoclonal antibody to inform the design of pan-coronavirus vaccines that could prevent the outbreak of future pandemics such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

4 Aug 2021

Drug-eluting endotracheal tubes for preventing airway complications

In a proof-of-concept study, researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have created a coating that can be applied to endotracheal tubes and release antimicrobial peptides that target infectious bacteria with specificity.

4 Aug 2021

Scientists develop a potent peptide inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

In a recently published article in the journal Drugs in R&D, scientists have described the development and validation of a 13-amino acid peptide inhibitor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

2 Aug 2021

Public and private SARS-CoV-2 T cell receptors may be crucial for pan-coronavirus vaccines

Researchers have just established a structural basis for two spike glycoprotein epitopes of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that are restricted to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) A2 molecules. More specifically, they are involved in the presentation of antigenic peptides to specific T lymphocytes and recognized by public and private T cell receptors. The research is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

2 Aug 2021

CD8+ T cells show gene-dependent variation in cross-reactivity to human coronaviruses

A new study discusses how both different responses to the infection itself and to COVID-19 vaccines are likely the result of genetic differences.

25 Jul 2021

Activation of integrins by SARS-CoV-2 may be key to infection

A new study describes the key role of membrane proteins called integrins, which are present in epithelia, in the entry and propagation of SARS-CoV-2.

25 Jul 2021

Researchers use mass spectrometry to study immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 epitopes

A new study has been published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, which has used MS to identify T cell epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 conserved protein, i.e., the membrane glycol protein (MGP) and the non-structure protein-13 (NSP13).

23 Jul 2021

ATN framework can be extended to detect frontotemporal degeneration

Alzheimer's disease and related diseases can still only be confirmed in deceased patients' brains via autopsy.

20 Jul 2021

A low-cost biopolymer dressing to help heal chronic wounds

Tens of millions of patients around the world suffer from persistent and potentially life-threatening wounds. These chronic wounds, which are also a leading cause of amputation, have treatments, but the cost of existing wound dressings can prevent them from reaching people in need.

19 Jul 2021

MIT engineers create new diagnostic nanoparticle that can pinpoint tumor location

Most of the tests that doctors use to diagnose cancer -- such as mammography, colonoscopy, and CT scans -- are based on imaging. More recently, researchers have also developed molecular diagnostics that can detect specific cancer-associated molecules that circulate in bodily fluids like blood or urine.

16 Jul 2021