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Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

The new Omicron subvariant BA.2: what we know so far

Presently, an Omicron subvariant known as BA.2, first identified in late 2021, has made headlines due to its rapid spread.

26 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant found to display increased resilience to antiviral type I interferon response

In a new study, scientists have compared the Omicron variant with the Delta VOC (B.1.617.2) as well as the wildtype strain (B.1), with respect to their interaction with the antiviral type 1 interferon response in infected cells.

26 Jan 2022

Effects of the Omicron spike amino acid changes in the interaction with human ACE2 receptor or human antibodies

A recent study analyzed the effects of the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike amino acid and the human ACE2 receptor or with human antibodies.

26 Jan 2022

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies found in wild mustelids in France

A new study focused on the identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection in wild mustelids in the French region of Brittany.

26 Jan 2022

Evaluating the use of megadoses of corticosteroids as a treatment of COVID-19

In a new study, researchers have been investigating the effects of megadoses of corticosteroids on hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

26 Jan 2022

COVID-19 vaccine does not lead to infertility in either men or women

In a recent prospective cohort study accepted to the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers observed links between female and male coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and fecundability or the per-cycle likelihood of conception in North American couples seeking to conceive.

26 Jan 2022

Research says spill-over of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to cattle is possible

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, a team of researchers assessed the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission from humans to cattle.

26 Jan 2022

Cannabidiol inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in human cells and mice

In research recently published in the journal of Science Advances, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Chicago assessed the potential role of cannabidiol (CBD), a natural product extracted from the cannabis plant, to prevent and inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in human cells and mice.

26 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination-induced T cells cross-recognize Omicron

In a recent study posted to the Nature In Review* preprint server, researchers performed a comprehensive, in-depth comparison of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific T cell epitope repertoire following natural infection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared to messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccinations.

25 Jan 2022

New study holds promise to help plants defend themselves against viruses

New research, led by Washington State University scientists, into how viral proteins interact and can be disabled holds promise to help plants defend themselves against viruses - and ultimately prevent crop losses.

25 Jan 2022

‘Lefty’ protein pumps the brakes during initial stages of embryo differentiation

A protein known as Lefty pumps the brakes as human embryos begin to differentiate into the bones, soft tissues and organs that make us.

25 Jan 2022

COVID-19 research made easier with outbreak.info

In a recent paper posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers reveal the development of an open-source database that provides data on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) resources.

25 Jan 2022

Scientists explore how proteins bind with specific companions inside cells

Despite its minute size, a single cell contains billions of molecules that bustle around and bind to one another, carrying out vital functions. The human genome encodes about 20,000 proteins, most of which interact with partner proteins to mediate upwards of 400,000 distinct interactions.

25 Jan 2022