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Are SARS-CoV-2 antibodies associated with disease enhancement?

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to wreak its havoc, antibodies that neutralize the virus and protect against infection have become an important focus of research. However, there is a concern as to whether these antibodies can actually enhance the disease.

6 Jan 2021

Researchers claim SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant likely to become globally dominant

The new variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) detected in England replicates more than two times faster than the earlier strains. This replication advantage promises to make it the dominant global variant very shortly. This finding comes from a startling preprint that appeared on the medRxiv* server in December 2020.

6 Jan 2021

Glycyrrhizin in licorice root neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 in vitro by inhibiting the main protease Mpro

In a recent bioRxiv* preprint paper, researchers from Germany analyzed aqueous licorice root extract for its neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. They identified glycyrrhizin, the primary active ingredient in the root, and revealed the underlying mechanism of viral neutralization.

5 Jan 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infected alveolar type-II lung cells show senescence

Using monoclonal antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and senescent markers, researchers provide evidence that virus-infected lung cells acquire characteristics of cellular senescence, which also leads to expression of proinflammatory cytokines.

5 Jan 2021

Phase 3 trial of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine candidate begins enrolling volunteers

The Phase 3 trial of another investigational coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine has begun enrolling adult volunteers.

28 Dec 2020

Severity of COVID-19 correlates with the ratio of antibodies targeting crucial viral protein

COVID-19 antibodies preferentially target a different part of the virus in mild cases of COVID-19 than they do in severe cases, and wane significantly within several months of infection, according to a new study by researchers at Stanford Medicine.

24 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 spike-antibody binding strength and hydrogen bond numbers are temperature dependent, study finds

A new preprint on the bioRxiv* server describes the interactions between the binding spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with the antibodies. Earlier studies have addressed the similarity in the 3D structures of the spike protein in the two SARS viruses as seen on cryo-EM.

24 Dec 2020

Animal study suggests palmitoylation inhibitor reduces virulence of SARS-CoV-2

A new study preprint on the bioRxiv* server demonstrates the ability of a fatty acid synthase inhibitor to improve the survival of mice infected with murine hepatitis virus. In so doing, it adds to the sum of knowledge about the relationship of SARS-CoV-2 with cholesterol metabolism in the host cell.

24 Dec 2020

A common compound in mouthwashes found to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

Researchers found that cetylpyridinium chloride, found in most mouthwashes, lowers infectivity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in vitro, likely by inhibiting viral fusion with target cells. With more tests to prove validity, mouthwashes could be a simple, cheap way of curbing transmission.

24 Dec 2020

At risk of extinction, black-footed ferrets get experimental COVID vaccine

In late summer, as researchers accelerated the first clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines for humans, a group of scientists in Colorado worked to inoculate a far more fragile species.

23 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and types differ by disease severity, study finds

Researchers have measured the antibody levels and types in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with different disease severity. Their results suggest gut immune pathways could play a role in reducing virus-based inflammation and recovery.

22 Dec 2020

Scientists isolate anti-COVID-19 nanobodies produced by a llama

National Institutes of Health researchers have isolated a set of promising, tiny antibodies, or "nanobodies," against SARS-CoV-2 that were produced by a llama named Cormac.

22 Dec 2020

COVID-19: Meta-analysis unveils adversely affected biological processes in infected lung cells

The researchers Wasco Wruck and Prof. James Adjaye from the Institute of Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty of Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Germany, employed a bioinformatic approach on transcriptome data pertaining to human lung epithelial cells infected with SARS-CoV-2.

21 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein remains remarkably conserved among 37 variants from Hong Kong

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to intensify in many parts of the world, vaccine development is proceeding apace.

21 Dec 2020

Cross-reactive coronavirus antibodies shape COVID-19 convalescent plasma functionality

The onset of the current COVID-19 pandemic revealed the seventh known pathogenic human coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

21 Dec 2020

FDA issues first emergency use authorization for second COVID-19 vaccine

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the second vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

21 Dec 2020

Research at Advanced Photon Source laid the groundwork for effective COVID-19 vaccines

There is light at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic tunnel. Several vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 are now in clinical trials, with one -- developed by Pfizer/BioNTech -- already having been approved for emergency use in the United States.

18 Dec 2020

Spike Protein News and Research

Are SARS-CoV-2 antibodies associated with disease enhancement?

Researchers claim SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant likely to become globally dominant

Glycyrrhizin in licorice root neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 in vitro by inhibiting the main protease Mpro

SARS-CoV-2 infected alveolar type-II lung cells show senescence

Phase 3 trial of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine candidate begins enrolling volunteers

Severity of COVID-19 correlates with the ratio of antibodies targeting crucial viral protein

SARS-CoV-2 spike-antibody binding strength and hydrogen bond numbers are temperature dependent, study finds

Animal study suggests palmitoylation inhibitor reduces virulence of SARS-CoV-2

A common compound in mouthwashes found to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

At risk of extinction, black-footed ferrets get experimental COVID vaccine

SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and types differ by disease severity, study finds

Scientists isolate anti-COVID-19 nanobodies produced by a llama

COVID-19: Meta-analysis unveils adversely affected biological processes in infected lung cells

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein remains remarkably conserved among 37 variants from Hong Kong

Cross-reactive coronavirus antibodies shape COVID-19 convalescent plasma functionality

FDA issues first emergency use authorization for second COVID-19 vaccine

Research at Advanced Photon Source laid the groundwork for effective COVID-19 vaccines

Rapid point-of-care lateral flow assay to assess the neutralizing activity of plasma against SARS-CoV-2

Abbott gets CE Mark for new quantitative SARS-CoV-2 IgG lab-based serology test

Research shows that people affected with COVID-19 suffer from cognitive effects

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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