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Researchers use microscopic strands of DNA to assemble hydrogel blocks

Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) have used microscopic strands of DNA to guide the assembly of gel blocks that are visible to the naked eye.

31 Jan 2022

Binding and conformational properties of the SARS-CoV spike protein and hACE2 complex

A new paper in the journal Molecules describes this in molecular terms, comparing SARS-CoV-2 with an earlier highly pathogenic coronavirus, SARS-CoV.

31 Jan 2022

COVID-19 vaccines elicit cross-reactive antibodies against endemic coronaviruses

Researchers study the interaction between immunity to endemic coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2.

30 Jan 2022

UofL professor wins $6.7 million grant to investigate how metals cause lung cancer

For nearly three decades, John Pierce Wise Sr. has investigated the connection between exposure to metals and cancer, working both in the lab and in the field, reporting significant discoveries about the effects of metals on chromosomes in lung cancer and how those effects differ in humans and in whales.

27 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 virus co-opts intrinsic cellular machinery to suppress interferon production

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers evaluated the mechanism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-associated inflammatory marker interferon (IFN) repression in hosts.

25 Jan 2022

An algorithm to predict host cleavage targets of SARS-CoV-2 3CLPro

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers developed a novel bioinformatic algorithm to predict host cleavage targets of the SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease (3CLPro).

23 Jan 2022

Genetic marker linked to higher risk of death in COVID-19 patients

A new study discusses the importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Rab46 gene as a marker of adverse outcomes in high-risk COVID-19 patients.

23 Jan 2022

Flexibility may maximize the potency of peptides used to treat Type 2 diabetes

A little wiggle room might be just what the doctor ordered. New research suggests that the peptides -; short chunks of protein -; used to treat Type 2 diabetes may be more effective if they're able to flexibly move back and forth between different shapes.

23 Dec 2021

QTQTN motif upstream of furin-cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis

A new study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server aimed to demonstrate whether the loss of the QTQTN motif attenuates SARS-CoV-2 replication in respiratory cells in vitro and pathogenesis in hamsters.

20 Dec 2021

Comparison of RBD/ACE2 receptor complex in wild type SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variant

New research details the molecular landscape of Omicron’s RBD and how it differs from the original SARS-CoV-2 strain.

17 Dec 2021

Study demonstrates SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 localization and interferon antagonism as independent events

Researchers deploy mutagenesis studies to investigate the relationship between ORF6 localization and IFN antagonism.

12 Dec 2021

Effect of mutations on SARS-CoV-2 E protein interactions with cell junctions

In a recent study, ten human PDZ-containing proteins showed significant interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 E protein in a PBM-dependent manner.

12 Dec 2021

SARS-CoV-2 antibody profiles in vaccinated and convalescent macaques compared to humans

New findings suggest that Macaque monkeys may not be the ideal model when testing for SARS-CoV-2.

8 Dec 2021

ORF10 protein mutations alter SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity

Researchers examine 140 unique SARS-CoV-2 ORF10 sequences among 202,968 ORF10 retrieved sequences.

7 Dec 2021

Impact of engineered ACE2-Fc on SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers employ a structure-guided approach for the development of a series of ACE2-Fc variants using human IgG1 or IgG3 backbone.

1 Dec 2021

Error rate of bacterial DNA polymerase is consistently higher under microgravity, study shows

On 22 May 2019, scientists from Queen's University boarded a modified Falcon 20 aircraft at Ottawa airport. Scheduled was a 'vomit comet' flight, where the plane repeatedly climbs to 8km in a steep parabola, alternating with a descent in freefall.

29 Nov 2021

A canine coronavirus zoonotic spillover and tropism shift

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21 Nov 2021

Structure of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein postfusion

A new study published in PNAS proposes a higher resolution in situ structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in its postfusion state.

18 Nov 2021

SARS-CoV-2 protease suppresses host immune response by cleaving NEMO

A recent study conducted by a team of US-based scientists has highlighted a novel function of 3C-like protease of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The protease has been found to cleave a human immune signaling protein called NF-kB Essential Modulator (NEMO) and disrupt the host immune response.

16 Nov 2021

The difference in the dynamics of SARS-COV-2 variants

A new study provides a detailed description of the varying interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and the host cell ACE-2 receptor.

27 Oct 2021