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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.

SARS-CoV-2 interacts with unusual RNA structures in human cells

The study, published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research, demonstrated that G4 ligands, the chemical that binds with G4s, prevent this interaction. The results could pave the way for developing inhibitors of these interactions as potential antiviral compounds.

26 Jul 2021

A novel interferon-γ release assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response

A new study evaluates a commercially available IFN‐γ release assay (IGRA) to determine T-cell responses targeted against SARS-CoV-2.

26 Jul 2021

Mount Sinai researchers use cerebral organoids to study frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementias are a group of fatal and debilitating brain disorders for which there are no cures.

26 Jul 2021

Experts present new research to improve care for head and neck cancers at AHNS 2021

As the international community of experts in head-and-neck cancers gathered virtually last week to share new ideas and treatment strategies at the just-ended American Head & Neck Society (AHNS) 10th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center teams are presented new research on both the basic science supporting new treatments as well as opportunities to improve the early and accurate diagnosis of thyroid cancer and other head/neck malignancies.

26 Jul 2021

Air quality improvement linked with reduced risk of dementia

Improving air quality may improve cognitive function and reduce dementia risk, according to several studies reported today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2021 in Denver and virtually.

26 Jul 2021

Metrion Biosciences appoints Nick Foster as Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Global Business Development

Metrion today announced the appointment of Nick Foster as Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Global Business Development.

26 Jul 2021

How SARS-CoV-2 vaccination symptoms differ from early COVID-19 symptoms

A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv* presents an analysis of the differences between recorded vaccination side effects vs. early COVID-19 symptoms. The researchers focused on four vaccines, namely, Pfizer-BioNTech (PB) mRNA (BNT162b2) vaccine, based on messenger ribonucleic acid encoding the viral spike protein; the Moderna mRNA (mRNA-1273) vaccine; the Oxford-AstraZeneca (O-AZ) adenovirus-vectored vaccine; and the Janssen adenovirus-vectored Ad26.COV2.S).

26 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breast milk: Study

A new study published on the medRxiv* preprint server explores the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) antibodies IgA and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk secreted by women with confirmed infection. The scientists also delineated the specific antigens targeted by the antibodies.

26 Jul 2021

Study compares mRNA and adenovirus-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines against variants of concern

In a research paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv by Tada et al. (July 19th, 2021) the neutralizing capacity of antibodies generated by either messenger RNA (mRNA) or adenoviral vector-based vaccines against Beta, Delta, Delta plus, and Lambda variants are investigated, among others, highlighting the importance of continued SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance.

26 Jul 2021

Novel atlas charts how different antibodies attack a major piece of SARS-CoV-2 machinery

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 continues to evolve, immunologists and infectious diseases experts are eager to know whether new variants are resistant to the human antibodies that recognized initial versions of the virus.

26 Jul 2021

Novel microfluidic device used to manipulate major whey protein

After gaining world attention by 'unboiling' egg protein, Flinders University scientists have now used an Australian-made novel thin film microfluidic device to manipulate Beta-lactoglobulin (β-lactoglobulin), the major whey protein in cow's, sheep's and other mammals.

26 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

Variations in human ACE2 genetics associated with coronavirus susceptibility

In a recent study, the researchers sought to understand the genetic variability in ACE2 that may contribute to inconsistent clinical outcomes of COVID-19.

25 Jul 2021

Gene therapy protects optic nerve cells and preserves vision in glaucoma mouse models

A form of gene therapy protects optic nerve cells and preserves vision in mouse models of glaucoma, according to research supported by NIH's National Eye Institute.

23 Jul 2021

Bacteria use a 'sense of touch' mechanism to navigate on surfaces

Many disease-causing bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa crawl on surfaces through a walk-like motility known as "twitching". Nanometers-wide filaments called type IV pili are known to power twitching, but scientists ignore which sensory signals coordinate the microbes' movements.

23 Jul 2021

Study brings scientists one step closer to solving the mystery of aging

The human body is essentially made up of trillions of living cells. It ages as its cells age, which happens when those cells eventually stop replicating and dividing.

23 Jul 2021

Advantages and challenges of intranasal vaccines to fight against COVID-19 infections

There are many reasons that an intranasal vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus would be helpful in the fight against COVID-19 infections, University of Alabama at Birmingham immunologists Fran Lund, Ph.D., and Troy Randall, Ph.D., write in a viewpoint article in the journal Science.

23 Jul 2021