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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

Tapeworm infection drug blocks SARS-CoV-2 damage in the lungs

New research published in the journal Nature found the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the lungs resulted in abnormal pneumocytes and spike protein-mediated cell fusion. Their findings also showed that TMEM16F protein activation induces cell fusion. Therefore, drugs inhibiting the TMEM16F/Anoctamin6 calcium-activated ion channel, such as niclosamide, could serve as potential treatments for reducing the severity of COVID-19 infection.

12 Apr 2021

Researchers identify novel SARS-CoV-2 variant unregistered on genomic sequence databases

A team of scientists from the University of California Santa Cruz, USA, recently identified a novel variant (B.1.x) of SARS-CoV-2 that might be circulating in at least 20 US states and six countries globally.

7 Apr 2021

Natural selection and adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 in mammals

Researchers of the Hubei University of Medicine, China, have analyzed several mutations in different variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from mammal species that suggest natural selection and host adaptation are occurring in the virus.

6 Apr 2021

Codon News and Research

Genome modeling framework for coronavirus pathogenicity prediction

Antisense oligonucleotides engineered to inhibit SARS-CoV-2

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

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

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

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

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

Mutation-signature–associated metrics predict cancer progression in patients

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

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

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

Facets of SARS-CoV-2 infection and animal models

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

Tapeworm infection drug blocks SARS-CoV-2 damage in the lungs

Researchers identify novel SARS-CoV-2 variant unregistered on genomic sequence databases

Natural selection and adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 in mammals

South Africa SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.351 easily escapes Sputnik vaccine

New study maps SARS-CoV-2 and host protein interactions in detail

Natural virus-induced immunity protective against UK and South African SARS-CoV-2 variants in hamster study

SARS-CoV-2 proteins are potent suppressors of innate immunity

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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