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Novel strategy to produce SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein for serological testing

New research discusses an alternative method of purifying the SARS-CoV-2 N protein using only metal exchange chromatography and denaturing conditions.

18 Nov 2021

A measles-vectored COVID-19 vaccine induces strong immunity in animal model

A new study explores the potential of MV-based vaccines targeting the S protein of SARS-CoV-2.

9 Nov 2021

Development of a plant-based platform for the production of SARS-CoV-2 antigen

Scientists have recently focused on the development of plant-based recombinant protein platforms.

21 Oct 2021

Safety and oral immunogenicity of a VSV-derived mucosal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

A team of researchers exploited the known tropism of vesicular stomatitis virus to develop an oral vaccine that expresses the immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein in the oral mucosa.

20 Oct 2021

The effect of a SARS-CoV-2 delta variant mutation associated with higher viral loads

A new study has focused on the effect of a deletion found in the genome of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant that has severely reduced the amplification of ARTIC V3 amplicon 72.

20 Oct 2021

SARS-CoV-2 mutations amplify its advantage over host for efficient translation of viral RNAs

A study shows that mutations that SARS-CoV-2 has gained improve its advantage in the efficient translation of viral RNAs.

19 Oct 2021

Researchers supplement synthetic biology toolkit to streamline investigations into genetic code expansion

One of modern biologists' most ambitious goals is to learn how to expand or otherwise modify the genetic code of life on Earth, in order to make new, artificial life forms.

30 Sep 2021

Genome modeling framework for coronavirus pathogenicity prediction

Recent machine learning techniques have allowed viral genome sequencing to be utilized in a predictive capacity.

23 Sep 2021

Antisense oligonucleotides engineered to inhibit SARS-CoV-2

In a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, structure-based ASOs are developed against SARS-CoV-2, intended to bond with RNA in its structured in situ form, rather than the more rarely encountered linear section, achieving greater affinity and specificity than linear ASOs, and demonstrating inhibition of virus replication in human cells.

30 Aug 2021

Frameshift deletion mutation in ORF7a may provide fitness advantage to Australia's SARS-CoV-2 delta variants

A team of scientists from Australia has recently identified a frameshift deletion mutation in ORF7a of the delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The mutation results in the production of a truncated peptide with altered functionality. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server while awaiting peer review.

24 Aug 2021

Potential new treatment for mast cell cancers reduces tumor size and prevents organ infiltration

A potential new treatment for mast cell cancers reduces the number of mast cells by "mutating" the messenger RNA (mRNA) before it can deliver instructions for manufacturing the gene responsible for cell proliferation.

10 Aug 2021

Start codon disruption with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing prevents Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy in mice

In a new study, researchers at the University of Oregon's Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact used start codon disruption with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to prevent Fuchs' corneal dystrophy in mice.

3 Aug 2021

A path to treat currently untreatable cases of cystic fibrosis is clearly achievable, study suggests

An experimental drug reported in Nature Communications suggests that a "path is clearly achievable" to treat currently untreatable cases of cystic fibrosis disease caused by nonsense mutations.

19 Jul 2021

Evaluation of a synthetic DNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine INO-4800 using a nonhuman primate model

A new study published in Vaccine assesses the safety and efficacy of the synthetic DNA vaccine candidate INO-4800, delivered as a single or double dose regime.

18 Jul 2021

Mutation-signature–associated metrics predict cancer progression in patients

Oncotarget published "Predicting clinical outcomes using cancer progression associated signatures" which reported somatic mutation signatures are an informative facet of cancer etiology, however they are rarely useful for predicting patient outcome.

28 Jun 2021

The effect of novel insertion mutation in SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein RNA

In a recent study, a group of researchers discuss the functional implications of this specific S protein mutation on SARS-CoV-2.

22 Jun 2021

How bacterial cells have been engineered to produce virus-resistant synthetic polymers

A recent Science paper discusses the utilization of a previously reported synthetic Escherichia coli to produce virus-resistant synthetic polymers.

3 Jun 2021

Could a mathematical application of information theory identify and predict SARS-CoV-2 mutations?

An interesting new study by researchers at the University of Portsmouth, UK, describes the use of a mathematical method to sequence genomes based on information theory. The method offers an alternative to clinical techniques, allowing mutations to be detected and possibly even predicted. In this way, it opens new research opportunities in bioinformatics and genetics.

31 May 2021

Facets of SARS-CoV-2 infection and animal models

A new study in the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology discusses the ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome of the virus, and the mechanisms by which it establishes infection within the host cell. The researchers also summarize the development of animal models of COVID-19, which will both help understand the clinical features of the illness, and indicate new approaches for the treatment of the infection.

21 May 2021

Researchers identify six “words” used by specific immune cells to call up immune defense genes

UCLA life scientists have identified six "words" that specific immune cells use to call up immune defense genes -- an important step toward understanding the language the body uses to marshal responses to threats.

13 May 2021