Polymerase Chain Reaction News and Research

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Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a revolutionary laboratory technique that enables the replication of a specific DNA sequence. Using PCR, millions of copies of a target DNA can be easily synthesized within a short period of time.

Can sniffer dogs be trained to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection?

A new study in PLOS ONE discusses the novel use of dogs to sniff out the virus in patient samples as a potential additional diagnostic route to ease the situation.

21 Apr 2021

Strides against HIV/AIDS falter, especially in the South, as nation battles COVID

Facing a yearlong siege from the coronavirus, the defenses in another, older war are faltering.

21 Apr 2021

Limited SARS-CoV-2 spread in childcare centers, finds study

A new study adds to the sum of evidence that children do not play a key role in the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen behind the current pandemic of COVID-19.

20 Apr 2021

Researchers show how to evaluate waning efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines

Researchers in the United States have demonstrated how to estimate the potentially waning efficacy of vaccines designed to protect against infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

19 Apr 2021

One dose of mRNA vaccine may be sufficient for individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2

A recent scientific report from Israel shows how healthcare workers previously infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) present with higher Immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers after receiving one dose of Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in comparison to their fully vaccinated, never-infected counterparts. Conversely, the occurrence of post-vaccination infection does not increase IgG titers.

19 Apr 2021

Researchers reveal long-term kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patient sera

A team of scientists in Germany recently evaluated the specificities and sensitivities of different serological assays for detecting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

19 Apr 2021

Research looks at SARS-CoV-2 transmission from people to pets

A large team of researchers from the US demonstrated that pets with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) likely acquired the putative virus from humans. This suggests that human-animal infection may actually occur much more frequently than previously thought – implying that infected individuals should limit their contact with animals.

18 Apr 2021

Rapid mRNA vaccination effectively controls SARS-CoV-2 transmission in long-term care facilities

Vaccine rollouts all over the world are aimed at cutting short the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by inducing antibody-mediated immunity to the virus. A new study, recently released on the medRxiv* preprint server, addresses the successful reduction in viral spread and case incidence among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF).

16 Apr 2021

New plasmonic isothermal PCR technology can detect respiratory viral pathogens in 30 minutes

Researchers in South Korea developed a plasmonic isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) array chip, the world's first plasmoinc isothermal PCR technology which can detect 8 types of pathogens (4 bacteria and 4 viruses) that cause acute respiratory infectious diseases in 30 minutes.

15 Apr 2021

High antibody and inflammatory mediator levels may predict severe COVID-19

A new study reports on biomarkers could help predict the progression of the viral illness to dangerous levels early enough to enable timely intervention.

15 Apr 2021

More than half of COVID-19 patients report persistent symptoms 12-months after infection

In a new study, appearing on the pre-print server medRxiv*, researchers at the University of Trieste and Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS in Italy report that more than half of patients with previous mild-to-moderate symptomatic COVID-19 complained of the persistence of at least one symptom 12-months after the onset of the illness.

15 Apr 2021

Study demonstrates that the main creators of SARS-CoV-2 mutations are vaccine-suppressed

A new research paper posted to the medRxiv* preprint server describes the changes in genomic sequence observed during the course of infection in a patient on the drug tacrolimus, along with steroids, both potent immunosuppressants, and who also received convalescent plasma treatment. These mutations were observed to occur within three weeks from infection.

14 Apr 2021

No evidence B.1.1.7. variant worsens symptoms or increases risk of long COVID

The study, published in The Lancet, demonstrates that there is no evidence of a link between severe illness and death and lineage when comparing the B.1.1.7 lineage and other variants.

14 Apr 2021

PCR-based reverse genetic system helps analyze SARS-CoV-2 mutations

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that mutations in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 have occurred and spread, but what effect do those mutations have?

13 Apr 2021

CityMD experience during the coronavirus pandemic in New York City

Limiting SARS-CoV-2 transmission requires an infected person to quarantine themselves for at least two weeks. New research published on the medRxiv* server highlights the vital role urgent care centers play during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York.

13 Apr 2021

Children less likely to spread SARS-CoV-2 than adults

A study conducted by researchers in Canada suggests that children may be less likely than adults to spread the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

12 Apr 2021

Real-world evidence from Israel on VOCs and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine protection

A new study by Israeli researchers tested the hypothesis that certain SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern can overcome protection conferred by Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA vaccine and found evidence of increased breakthrough rates in vaccinated individuals. The research paper is currently available on the medRxiv preprint server.

12 Apr 2021

New test offers a simpler way to quantify the reservoir of intact viruses in HIV patients

A new test that measures the quantity and quality of inactive HIV viruses in the genes of people living with HIV may eventually give researchers a better idea of what drugs work best at curing the disease.

12 Apr 2021

P681 mutation has little impact on transmissibility in the SARS-CoV-2 UK variant, finds study

A new preprint, recently released on the bioRxiv* server, explores the impact of a single mutation, the P681H mutation, on the transmissibility of the virus.

12 Apr 2021

Study finds no evidence of SARS-CoV2 transmission by breast milk

Some studies have reported the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in breast milk from women who were recently infected with the virus. A new study explores the relationship between viral RNA and infectious virus to clarify the occurrence of vertical transmission through breast milk.

9 Apr 2021

Polymerase Chain Reaction News and Research

Further Reading

Can sniffer dogs be trained to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection?

Strides against HIV/AIDS falter, especially in the South, as nation battles COVID

Limited SARS-CoV-2 spread in childcare centers, finds study

Researchers show how to evaluate waning efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines

One dose of mRNA vaccine may be sufficient for individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2

Researchers reveal long-term kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patient sera

Research looks at SARS-CoV-2 transmission from people to pets

Rapid mRNA vaccination effectively controls SARS-CoV-2 transmission in long-term care facilities

New plasmonic isothermal PCR technology can detect respiratory viral pathogens in 30 minutes

High antibody and inflammatory mediator levels may predict severe COVID-19

More than half of COVID-19 patients report persistent symptoms 12-months after infection

Study demonstrates that the main creators of SARS-CoV-2 mutations are vaccine-suppressed

No evidence B.1.1.7. variant worsens symptoms or increases risk of long COVID

PCR-based reverse genetic system helps analyze SARS-CoV-2 mutations

CityMD experience during the coronavirus pandemic in New York City

Children less likely to spread SARS-CoV-2 than adults

Real-world evidence from Israel on VOCs and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine protection

New test offers a simpler way to quantify the reservoir of intact viruses in HIV patients

P681 mutation has little impact on transmissibility in the SARS-CoV-2 UK variant, finds study

Study finds no evidence of SARS-CoV2 transmission by breast milk

Sensing a Healthier Future

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Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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