Propagation News and Research

RSS

Potential covalent SARS-CoV-2 spike protein inhibitors

There remains a significant need for new and effective drugs that can be used to treat COVID-19.

23 Sep 2021

Pinning down Pin1: Potential COVID-19 therapy

In a recent study scientists have demonstrated that Pin1 is one of the key cellular molecules necessary for SARS-CoV-2 propagation.

22 Sep 2021

SARS-CoV-2 NSP1 protein suppresses host genes while enhancing viral RNA expression

In a recent study, researchers study the molecular aspects of SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry and inhibition of host-specific cellular mechanisms.

20 Sep 2021

Antiviral compound RG10 acts via intracellular SARS-CoV-2-ER dynamics

A new study describes a small molecule referred to as RG10 that may have potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in human cells.

16 Sep 2021

Evolved SARS-CoV-2 viruses gain higher infectivity and cause more rapid infection spread

Viruses accumulate mutations as they replicate in infected cells. Repeated replication can lead to viral strains that show attenuated virulence. Such strains may act as vaccines if the attenuated virus can produce immunity without serious disease.

16 Sep 2021

Convalescent plasma shows no benefit in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

A new paper describes the results of a randomized controlled trial of CP in adult COVID-19 patients on oxygen when used within 12 days of the onset of respiratory symptoms.

14 Sep 2021

SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in Nordic countries

Scientists have recently assessed the strategies adopted by the Nordic countries to curb the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic.

10 Sep 2021

Study sheds light on neurologic symptoms caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers in Australia and Finland have provided important insights into how infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – might affect nervous system circuitries and cause neurologic symptoms.

6 Sep 2021

Baylor researchers use a faster, more cost-effective technology to discover SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor

Much progress has been made on the development of vaccines aiming at triggering human immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In addition, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine are involved in the development of antiviral drugs to treat infected individuals.

1 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

SARS-CoV-2 destabilizes host RNA to improve fitness

In a study recently published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists have mapped the interactions between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and host RNA. They have observed that the virus heavily methylates its genome using the methylation machinery of the host RNA, leading to an improvement in viral fitness.

27 Aug 2021

Neuroinflammation is the key upstream mechanism in Alzheimer’s disease progression

Neuroinflammation is the key driver of the spread of pathologically misfolded proteins in the brain and causes cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine reveal in a paper published today in Nature Medicine.

26 Aug 2021

Research highlights the potential benefits of SARS-CoV-2 S gene mutants as immunogens

Previous research has shown that the spike (S) protein of -CoV-2 binds to a host cell receptor, facilitating viral entry.

25 Aug 2021

New study identifies novel compound as promising pan-coronavirus drug candidate

A recent study describes a novel compound with frameshifting capability against MERS-CoV, inhibiting viral propagation within infected cells.

23 Aug 2021

How does the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant’s spike drive membrane fusion and immunity evasion?

A fascinating and timely new study shows how the Delta variant of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) achieved higher transmissibility and resistance to neutralization.

19 Aug 2021

White-tailed deer are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been shown to infect a wide range of animals naturally and experimentally, and prior studies indicate deer are susceptible to infection. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns have been found to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.

19 Aug 2021

Study examines prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to HCoV-NL63 in healthy adults in Australia

A new study has been published in the MPDI journal Viruses, which focuses on determining the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies against HCoV-NL63, in healthy adults, in a cross-sectional study.

18 Aug 2021

How do glycans affect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein openings?

In a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, the role of glycan coating on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is further investigated by molecular dynamics simulations of the glycosylated and non-glycosylated protein, identifying several key glycans that play a role in stabilizing and protecting the RBD, and also encourage bonding with the ACE2 receptor.

18 Aug 2021

Novel model describes the coordination of beating cilia

A new model describes the coordination of beating cilia allowing to predict their functional behavior.

10 Aug 2021

Activation of integrins by SARS-CoV-2 may be key to infection

A new study describes the key role of membrane proteins called integrins, which are present in epithelia, in the entry and propagation of SARS-CoV-2.

25 Jul 2021