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Molecular surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations using CovRadar

In a recent bioRxiv preprint research paper, scientists from Germany discuss how they made sequence information more easily accessible for epidemiologists and virologists.

7 Feb 2021

Why SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 is more virulent

A new preprint research paper by scientists from Sweden and India attempts to provide a preliminary answer to these questions using computational modeling. The research, which appears on the bioRxiv* server, predicts increased virulence with the new variant. If validated, this could help public health authorities prepare for new variants' possible impact as they emerge.

2 Feb 2021

New platform using green algae tests for SARS-CoV-2 virus

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have demonstrated the potential of using green algae to make recombinant viral proteins that could be used in large scale assays to detect antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

1 Feb 2021

New platform for detecting and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses

Researchers in the U.S. have released a new study that describes a powerful but inexpensive tool designed to detect and monitor specific antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 over time.

1 Feb 2021

Codon frequency optimization shows SARS-CoV-2 antiviral potential

A study conducted by researchers in the US has revealed that optimization of codon for bacterial expression causes the production of an inactive enzyme non-structural protein 12 (Nsp12), a catalytic subunit of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2.

26 Jan 2021

Researchers update automated computation tool for SARS-CoV-2 genome analysis

Researchers updated a previous version of an automated tool to include SARS-CoV-2 genome analysis. Genome analysis using the freely available software could help track the evolution of the virus and promptly identify variants that increase viral transmission or virulence.

22 Jan 2021

New SARS-CoV-2 variant emerges in the U.S.

Even as the rollout of vaccines all over the world brings a glimmer of hope that the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may end in the near future, new variants continue to emerge, some with the potential to escape vaccine-induced or therapeutic antibodies. Now, a new preprint research paper published on the bioRxiv server describes a new American variant that may have become the dominant strain in the USA.

18 Jan 2021

Antibody recognition of linear SARS-CoV-2 epitopes preserved in mutated B.1.1.7 strain

In a recent medRxiv research paper, the US scientists examined the effects of non-synonymous mutations in the circulating B.1.1.7 strain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on linear antibody epitope signal for viral spike glycoprotein and nucleoprotein – and demonstrated that mutations should not result in immune evasion.

11 Jan 2021

High-affinity SARS-CoV-2 RBD drives mutation spread, forms basis of new COVID-19 inhibitor

Now, an intriguing recent study appeared on the bioRxiv * preprint server describes the use of in vitro evolution to elicit affinity maturation of the viral receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein to bind the host cell angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) with greater affinity.

7 Jan 2021

Could engineered red blood cells be an effective antiviral against SARS-CoV-2?

In a new study, released on the bioRxiv* preprint server, a team of researchers explores the antiviral potential of red blood cells against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative pathogen of COVID-19.

24 Dec 2020

Study sheds new light on immune system interactions with cancer

Cancers like melanoma are hard to treat, not least because they have a varied bag of tricks for defeating or evading treatments.

21 Dec 2020

Study shows how melanomas assist T cells from identifying and killing tumor cells

Cancers like melanoma are hard to treat, not least because they have a varied bag of tricks for defeating or evading treatments.

17 Dec 2020

Study shows how coronavirus uses spike proteins to infiltrate cells of different animals

Humans, followed by ferrets and to a lesser extent cats, civets and dogs are the most susceptible animals to SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to an analysis of ten different species carried out by researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), based in Barcelona.

11 Dec 2020

Genomic analysis provides clues about SARS-CoV-2 ancestry and transmission

Researchers in the UK conducting a genomic analysis of severe acute respiratory virus syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and SARS-like coronaviruses in the bat and pangolin have identified strong host-associated divergences that could provide clues about the ancestry and interspecies transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

25 Nov 2020

SARS-CoV-2 spike deletion mutations may evade current vaccine candidates, study finds

A thought-provoking new study reports that the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike antibodies elicited by natural infection may not be able to neutralize emerging strains that display deletion mutations in their genomic RNA.

23 Nov 2020

Start Codon closes venture fund at £15 million to support start-up companies in life sciences, healthcare space

Start Codon, a life science and healthcare business accelerator based in Cambridge, UK, today announced that it has closed Start Codon Fund I LP at £15 million.

From Start Codon Ltd 17 Nov 2020

Start Codon closes venture fund at £15 million to support start-up companies in life sciences, healthcare space

Start Codon, a life science and healthcare business accelerator based in Cambridge, UK, today announced that it has closed Start Codon Fund I LP at £15 million.

17 Nov 2020

Antimalarials could disrupt SARS-CoV-2’s Nsp1 translation termination

A research team from the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology in Russia have shown that Nsp1 – a non-structured protein present in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen – stimulates translation termination in the stop codon recognition stage. Studying and developing drugs that compete with Nsp1 for binding with the termination complex could therefore be a potential strategy for fighting against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

15 Nov 2020

Spike-based DNA vaccine shows excellent protection against SARS-CoV-2 in a hamster model

A study conducted at the United States Army Research Institute of Infectious Diseases shows how a relatively simple full-length DNA vaccine against spike glycoprotein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can elicit neutralizing antibody response in an animal model – even after a single shot with simple jet injection technique.

11 Nov 2020

Immune-evading variants can emerge in SARS-CoV-2, researchers warn

An international team of researchers has shown that a mutation within severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – enables the pathogen to evade antibody-mediated immunity while maintaining replication fitness and increasing viral loads.

9 Nov 2020

Codon News and Research

Molecular surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations using CovRadar

Why SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 is more virulent

New platform using green algae tests for SARS-CoV-2 virus

New platform for detecting and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses

Codon frequency optimization shows SARS-CoV-2 antiviral potential

Researchers update automated computation tool for SARS-CoV-2 genome analysis

New SARS-CoV-2 variant emerges in the U.S.

Antibody recognition of linear SARS-CoV-2 epitopes preserved in mutated B.1.1.7 strain

High-affinity SARS-CoV-2 RBD drives mutation spread, forms basis of new COVID-19 inhibitor

Could engineered red blood cells be an effective antiviral against SARS-CoV-2?

Study sheds new light on immune system interactions with cancer

Study shows how melanomas assist T cells from identifying and killing tumor cells

Study shows how coronavirus uses spike proteins to infiltrate cells of different animals

Genomic analysis provides clues about SARS-CoV-2 ancestry and transmission

SARS-CoV-2 spike deletion mutations may evade current vaccine candidates, study finds

Start Codon closes venture fund at £15 million to support start-up companies in life sciences, healthcare space

Start Codon closes venture fund at £15 million to support start-up companies in life sciences, healthcare space

Antimalarials could disrupt SARS-CoV-2’s Nsp1 translation termination

Spike-based DNA vaccine shows excellent protection against SARS-CoV-2 in a hamster model

Immune-evading variants can emerge in SARS-CoV-2, researchers warn

One Health, One Mission: The World Organisation for Animal Health on the AMR Frontline

Uniting Against Resistance: The World Health Organization for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2023

Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance: A Conversation with Dr. Beverley Isherwood

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