Retrovirus News and Research

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Ancient viral DNA in human genomes protects cells against present-day viruses

Viral DNA in human genomes, embedded there from ancient infections, serve as antivirals that protect human cells against certain present-day viruses, according to new research.

27 Oct 2022

Remnants of ancient viruses in the human genome are active in normal tissues

Remnants of ancient viruses in the human genome are active in healthy tissues as well as diseased ones, limiting their utility as disease biomarkers, according to a study by Aidan Burn at Tufts University in Boston, USA and colleagues, publishing October 18th in the open access journal PLOS Biology.

18 Oct 2022

Widespread variations in retroviral establishment and distribution among Darwin's finches

Vertebrate genomes are repositories for retrovirus code that was deposited into germ line as inherited endogenous retroviruses during evolution.

14 Oct 2022

Researchers develop an HERV-enveloped recombinant baculoviral DNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

Researchers developed a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-enveloped recombinant baculoviral DNA vaccine to target the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, and tested its cross-protection efficacy using mice models.

13 Oct 2022

Pluripotent bat stem cells as a model to study novel viruses

Researchers generate induced pluripotent stem cells from bats using to establish bats as a novel in vivo model study species.

29 Sep 2022

Gut commensal bacteria promote the development of virus-induced cancer by suppressing the immune system

Gut bacteria have a profound impact on health by aiding digestion, providing nutrients and metabolites, and working with the immune system to fend off pathogens.

13 Sep 2022

Polymer-embedded copper-based nanoparticles prevent surface contamination by viruses

In a new study, researchers developed nanocomposite coatings to prevent surface contamination by a human coronavirus (HCoV).

4 Aug 2022

Specific area of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein found to be a promising target for pan-coronavirus vaccine

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have shown that a specific area of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is a promising target for a pan-coronavirus vaccine that could offer some protection against new virus variants, common colds, and help prepare for future pandemics.

27 Jul 2022

The successful transplantation of genetically engineered pig hearts into recently deceased humans

Researchers successfully transplanted two genetically engineered heart pigs into recently deceased humans in June and July 2022.

14 Jul 2022

Crystal structure of a human endogenous reverse transcriptase revealed

The crystal structure of a human endogenous reverse transcriptase has similarities to HIV reverse transcriptase, a well-known tractable drug target, which will help design drugs to treat cancer and other diseases, according to a study co-authored by a Rutgers researcher.

30 Jun 2022

Researchers gain new insight into retroviral establishment in the koala genome

Historic virus infections can be traced in vertebrate genomes. For millions of years, these genomes have been repositories for retroviruses that incorporated their code into germline cells and were inherited as endogenous retroviruses (ERVs).

13 Jun 2022

Association of neuronal and non-neuronal GABA with neuropsychiatric illness in COVID-19 patients

A new study published in the journal Reports focused on the hijacking of the pancreatic, endothelial, and gut GABA by SARS-CoV-2 and its associated pathology along with interventions.

10 Jun 2022

Study offers provable standards for SARS-CoV-2 UVC disinfection

When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in early 2020, ultraviolet radiation became one of the go-to methods for preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, along with facemasks, hand sanitizer and social distancing.

4 May 2022

Unique heightened aggregation of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant spike pseudotyped particles

A recent study illustrated the enhanced distinct clustering of pseudotyped particles (PPs) expressing the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant.

12 Apr 2022

Study investigates SARS-CoV-2 infection in Swiss stray cats

Recently, researchers surveyed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Swiss stray cats.

29 Mar 2022

Convalescent antibodies do not enhance SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers investigated whether antibodies enhance severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection.

16 Mar 2022

Study finds booster shot did produce effective levels of neutralizing antibodies against omicron

A new study using serum from human blood samples suggests neutralizing antibody levels produced by two-dose mRNA vaccines against the original and early variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus wane substantially over time, and offer essentially no protection against the omicron variant.

2 Mar 2022