Reverse Transcriptase News and Research

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Rapid no-frills detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva with LAMP-Cas13

A new paper that appeared as a preprint on the medRxiv* server in December 2020 describes a nucleic acid test validated on saliva samples.

18 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be reverse-transcribed to be part of chimeric viral-human genome

A new study reveals that the genome of SARS-CoV-2 is inserted into the human genome, accounting for the detection of viral RNAs.

16 Dec 2020

Current testing-isolation policies effectively prevent campus transmission of COVID-19

A new study, shows that while students showed a high degree of compliance with restrictive measures, they continued to contract the infection from off-campus.

11 Dec 2020

Single N primer sufficient for SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis

There is a huge and growing demand for better molecular diagnostic tests for COVID-19, as the pandemic shows few signs of coming under control.

10 Dec 2020

Paper-based electrochemical sensor can enable rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the world, testing remains a key strategy for tracking and containing the virus.

7 Dec 2020

STE90-C11, a SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody, shows high inhibition of RBD-ACE2 binding

In a new study, researchers describe the identification of a neutralizing antibody that binds to the RBD at the same site as the human host cell receptor.

7 Dec 2020

COVID-19 single-shot segmentation for chest CT-based diagnosis

A new study from an artificial intelligence (AI) scientist describes a method to predict COVID-19 from a single chest CT shot.

4 Dec 2020

HIV 'wonder drug' may not be as effective as hoped in sub-Saharan Africa, study suggests

Dolutegravir, the current first-line treatment for HIV, may not be as effective as hoped in sub-Saharan Africa, suggests new research published on World AIDS Day. The study finds that this so-called 'wonder drug' may be less effective in patients resistant to older drugs.

1 Dec 2020

Chinese woman still sheds SARS-CoV-2 over four months post-infection

A new study by Chinese scientists explore an unusual case of extended viral shedding in a 68-year-old woman up to four months post-infection.

1 Dec 2020

IPM announces WHO's prequalification of dapivirine ring to reduce women’s HIV risk

The nonprofit International Partnership for Microbicides is pleased to announce the World Health Organization's prequalification of the dapivirine ring, a monthly vaginal ring to reduce women's HIV risk.

30 Nov 2020

Severe COVID-19 can produce high long-term neutralizing antibodies, study finds

A new study published by a team of scientists in Spain indicates that neutralizing immunity can last for up to 8 months, despite a steep drop in antibody titer over this time.

30 Nov 2020

Resveratrol shows potential as SARS-CoV-2 antiviral, study finds

A recent study reveals that resveratrol, a phenolic compound produced by spermatophytes, can inhibit the viral replication SARS-CoV-2.

27 Nov 2020

Antihypertensive drugs may reduce COVID-19 mortality in at-risk patients

A new multicenter study that recently appeared on the medRxiv* preprint server in November 2020 has found a lower or equal risk of fatal COVID-19 in hypertensive patients, depending on the type of medication they are on.

26 Nov 2020

Robust antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 can persist for eight months, study finds

A study conducted by researchers based in Italy suggests that SARS-CoV-2 induces durable and strong immunity in patients who had moderate to severe COVID-19.

25 Nov 2020

Digital warm-start CRISPR assay enables sensitive quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples

In a recent medRxiv* preprint paper, researchers from the University of Connecticut Health Center in the United States unveil their digital warm-start CRISPR (WS-CRISPR) method for stringent and sensitive quantitative detection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in clinical samples of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

24 Nov 2020

Early high-titer convalescent plasma prevents 75% of severe COVID-19 in elderly

A promising new clinical study published on the preprint server medRxiv reports that if convalescent plasma with a high titer of antibodies is given early in the course of COVID-19 in elderly patients, the risk of severe illness is reduced by 73%.

24 Nov 2020

Mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients may be contagious for longer than previously thought

Researchers in Brazil have reported two cases of people with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) shedding infectious virus for a significantly longer period than has previously been reported.

23 Nov 2020

Repeat infection following COVID-19 recovery may not pose risk to close contacts

Researchers in China have conducted a study suggesting that people who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may not pose a risk to close contacts if they become reinfected with the causative agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

23 Nov 2020

Study suggests neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies offer protection against reinfection

A new study published in November 2020 on the preprint server medRxiv* indicates that the chances of symptomatic infection are indeed much lower among the population with antibodies to the virus.

22 Nov 2020

SARS-CoV-2 suppresses ACE2 activity in COVID-19 patients

A recent study conducted by a team of international scientists has revealed that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), suppresses the expression and function of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and induces the expression of interferon-stimulated genes at the initial phase of infection. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

20 Nov 2020