Protein News and Research

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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.

Microglia-targeting nanotherapeutics for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders

Inspired by the need for new and better therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, Rutgers University researchers are exploring the link between uncontrolled inflammation within the brain and the brain's immune cells, known as microglia.

8 Sep 2020

Scientists discover tissue reparative role for a rare immune cell type in the gut

Scientists from King's College London have discovered an unexpected tissue reparative role for a rare immune cell type in the gut that could tip toward fibrosis or cancer if dysregulated.

8 Sep 2020

Avacta to launch Affimer-based ELISA test for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection

Avacta Group plc, the developer of Affimer biotherapeutics and reagents, is pleased to announce that it will launch an ELISA laboratory test for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to support global research efforts into the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

From Avacta Life Sciences Ltd. 8 Sep 2020

Study links brain astrocyte dysfunction to Parkinson’s disease pathology

A new study using induced pluripotent stem cell technology links astrocyte dysfunction to Parkinson’s disease pathology.

8 Sep 2020

Limited gut inflammation in COVID-19

A new study by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published on the preprint server medRxiv in September 2020 shows that gut infection with this virus produces primarily mucosal immunity but also a limited inflammatory response.

8 Sep 2020

Study finds strong T cell responses in patients recovered from COVID-19

Oxford University researchers have found that natural infection with COVID-19 produces a robust T cell response, including inducing T cell ‘memory’ to potentially fight future infections.

8 Sep 2020

Vitamin D levels in the blood may be a better predictor of future health and disease risks

Free, circulating vitamin D levels in the blood may be a better predictor of future health risks in aging men, according to a study being presented at e-ECE 2020.

7 Sep 2020

Scientists describe various dynamic structures of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Early in the pandemic, scientists uncovered the role of the ACE2 receptor in SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors act as a lock and key for cell infection.

7 Sep 2020

PI3K/mTOR and topoisomerase inhibitors suggested as candidates to reduce expression of ACE2

A recent study published in the preprint server medRxiv in September 2020 shows that the already approved drug families called P13K/mTOR and topoisomerase inhibitors may be useful in reducing individual susceptibility to the virus.

7 Sep 2020

Viruses play a key evolutionary role in mammals' ability to reproduce and survive

As the world scrambles to control the growing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, new research in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology shows viruses also play a key evolutionary role in mammals' ability to reproduce and survive.

7 Sep 2020

Study shows how mutations in DNA packaging machines can drive cancer development

Like wrenches made of Legos, SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes tighten or loosen DNA in our cells to control how genes are turned on and made into proteins.

7 Sep 2020

New insights into how the brain can induce diabetes remission in rodents

In rodents with type 2 diabetes, a single surgical injection of a protein called fibroblast growth factor 1 can restore blood sugar levels to normal for weeks or months. Yet how this growth factor acts in the brain to generate this lasting benefit has been poorly understood.

7 Sep 2020

Important research on SARS-CoV-2 proteins using proximity labeling

A team of Canadian scientists has recently discovered a wide-range interaction between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and host proteins using proximity-dependent biotinylation approaches.

7 Sep 2020

Study shows how genetic data can be used to prioritize drug targets for complex diseases

An innovative genetic study of blood protein levels, led by researchers in the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, has demonstrated how genetic data can be used to support drug target prioritisation by identifying the causal effects of proteins on diseases.

7 Sep 2020

A potential new way of treating Alzheimer’s Disease

In this interview, Dr. Brad. L. Heckman speaks to News-Medical about a new pathway that could potentially treat Alzheimers disease.

7 Sep 2020

D-dimer - A sensitive novel biomarker of COVID-19 mortality

Now, a new study published on the preprint server medRxiv* reports the use of D-dimer in predicting the risk of mortality in COVID-19.

7 Sep 2020

Using proteins to track SARS-CoV-2 infections through wastewater

A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv* in September 2020 describes the measurement of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) proteins in wastewater as a reliable way to track the virus in the community.

6 Sep 2020

Novel RNA vaccine from Arcturus Therapeutics protects mice against SARS-CoV-2

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in September 2020 reports a novel RNA vaccine platform that shows robust protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in mice and performs much better than a conventional mRNA vaccine. This could allow single-dose immunization, allowing progress towards global vaccination.

6 Sep 2020

Study shows SARS-CoV-2 cell receptor is a novel target of the gamma-secretase enzyme complex

Based on structural similarities with other targets of the gamma-secretase system, researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center in the United States show that the SARS-CoV-2 receptor for cell entry may be affected by its proteolytic activity. Their results are currently freely available in a bioRxiv preprint paper.

6 Sep 2020

Antibody responses against seasonal common cold coronaviruses may protect against SARS-CoV-2

With the use of an accurate high throughput assay, researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science and Magen David Adom Blood Services in Israel showed substantial inter-individual variability and antibody cross-reactivity against seasonal coronaviruses upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, with important implications for immune surveys and vaccines. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

6 Sep 2020

Protein News and Research

Further Reading

Microglia-targeting nanotherapeutics for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders

Scientists discover tissue reparative role for a rare immune cell type in the gut

Avacta to launch Affimer-based ELISA test for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection

Study links brain astrocyte dysfunction to Parkinson’s disease pathology

Limited gut inflammation in COVID-19

Study finds strong T cell responses in patients recovered from COVID-19

Vitamin D levels in the blood may be a better predictor of future health and disease risks

Scientists describe various dynamic structures of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

PI3K/mTOR and topoisomerase inhibitors suggested as candidates to reduce expression of ACE2

Viruses play a key evolutionary role in mammals' ability to reproduce and survive

Study shows how mutations in DNA packaging machines can drive cancer development

New insights into how the brain can induce diabetes remission in rodents

Important research on SARS-CoV-2 proteins using proximity labeling

Study shows how genetic data can be used to prioritize drug targets for complex diseases

A potential new way of treating Alzheimer’s Disease

D-dimer - A sensitive novel biomarker of COVID-19 mortality

Using proteins to track SARS-CoV-2 infections through wastewater

Novel RNA vaccine from Arcturus Therapeutics protects mice against SARS-CoV-2

Study shows SARS-CoV-2 cell receptor is a novel target of the gamma-secretase enzyme complex

Antibody responses against seasonal common cold coronaviruses may protect against SARS-CoV-2

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