Spike Protein News and Research

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Scientists identify natural SARS-CoV-2 super immunity against 23 variants

The antibodies are capable of neutralizing a wide range of SARS-CoV-2 variants even at sub-nanomolar concentrations. In addition, the combinations of these antibodies reduce the risk of generating escape mutants in vitro. The study is published in the journal Science.

5 Jul 2021

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine demonstrates ~90% efficacy against SARS-CoV-2

The findings reveal that the two-dose regimen of the vaccine is almost 90% effective against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Moreover, the vaccine shows high efficacy against the B.1.1.7 variant (Alpha) of SARS-CoV-2.

5 Jul 2021

Rapid quantification of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific T cells by direct peptide stimulation of whole peripheral blood

To understand both the correlates of protection induced by vaccinations and the necessary immune responses to manage the COVID-19, researchers from Singapore used an alternative method to closely evaluate the kinetics and magnitude of specific T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Their work was posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server while awaiting peer review.

5 Jul 2021

Janssens’ COVID-19 vaccine effective against SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

Researchers in the Netherlands have conducted a study showing that Janssen’s Ad26.COV2.S coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine was effective against variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among eight individuals.

4 Jul 2021

COVID-19 vaccination induces highly variable immunity among the immunocompromised

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study showing that the humoral (antibody) immunity induced by vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – varies significantly among immunocompromised individuals.

4 Jul 2021

Replication of SARS-CoV-2 in nasal ciliated cells could provide a new vaccination target

Researchers have found that nasal ciliated cells are targeted at the onset of COVID-19 infection, which may help to establish nasal mucosal immunity.

2 Jul 2021

Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 could last longer than originally believed

One year after infection by SARS-CoV-2, most people maintain anti-Spike antibodies regardless of the severity of their symptoms, according to a study with healthcare workers co-led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), the Catalan Health Institute (ICS) and the Jordi Gol Institute (IDIAP JG), with the collaboration of the Daniel Bravo Andreu Private Foundation.

2 Jul 2021

Engineered T cells prevent translational shutdown in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells

In a paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv* by Schamel et al. (June 25th, 2021) engineered T cells against SARS-CoV-2 are tested against a range of cells in vitro, finding that the treatment could be used to restore cellular immune function and suppress SARS-CoV-2.

1 Jul 2021

Mutations in the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 select for amino acid changes, increasing protein stability

A team of researchers recently demonstrated that mutations in the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 select for amino acid changes that result in a more stable protein than would otherwise be expected.

1 Jul 2021

Cryo-EM structure of neutralizing antibody 5-7 in complex with SARS CoV-2 spike

Researchers from the US recently reported the 3.7 Å resolution cryo-EM structure of an NTD-directed neutralizing antibody 5-7 that forms a complex with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. They also presented the neutralization data against VOC and studied the recognized epitope.

1 Jul 2021

Grapevine leaf extract inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and HSV-1 replication in the lab

Researchers in Italy have shown that leaf extract from the common grapevine – Vitis vinifera – exhibits significant antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

1 Jul 2021

Study highlights the importance of T cell cross reactivity in stopping severe COVID-19 infections

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have found that T cells from people who have recovered from COVID-19 or received the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are still able to recognize several concerning SARS-CoV-2 variants.

1 Jul 2021

Study explores lectins from plants, fungi, algae and cyanobacteria as pan-coronavirus inhibitors

In a recently published article scientists have provided a detailed description of the utility of mannose-specific lectins in preventing coronavirus infections. They have specifically explained how mannose-specific lectins derived from plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria selectively bind N-glycans present on the surface of viral spike protein and how such interactions can be medically utilized to control coronavirus transmission.

1 Jul 2021

Study evaluates neutralizing antibody responses elicited by the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

A recent Diagnostics study discusses the specific antibody response that occurred in individuals after they had received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

1 Jul 2021

Could peridomestic mammals act as zoonotic reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2?

In new research from researchers in the USA and Australia peridomestic mammals, which live in and around human habitations, have been investigated to ascertain how SARS-CoV-2 can affect species external to, but in close proximity to, the human population.

1 Jul 2021

Researchers identify proteins that contribute to the pathogenicity of COVID-19 virus

Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) have narrowed down the proteins enabling SARS-CoV-2 to cause disease.

1 Jul 2021

New study maps evolutionary history and interrelationships of protein domains

Proteins have been quietly taking over our lives since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We've been living at the whim of the virus's so-called "spike" protein, which has mutated dozens of times to create increasingly deadly variants. But the truth is, we have always been ruled by proteins. At the cellular level, they're responsible for pretty much everything.

1 Jul 2021

COVID mRNA vaccines induce antibodies against three SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers at the Institute of Biomedicine, the University of Turku in Finland showed that the blood of BNT162b2-vaccinated health care workers effectively neutralized the SARS-CoV-2 variant with the D614G substitution and the B.1.1.7 variant (Alpha variant) after the second dose.

1 Jul 2021

Ion channel conserved in coronaviruses a potential new drug target for COVID therapeutics

To this end, a recent study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology discusses the structures of the SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).

30 Jun 2021

Study highlights changes within SARS-CoV-2 variants that could be exploited to design effective inhibitors

A computational study that analyzes and explores the time-based structures of the SARS-CoV-2 variants with specific spike (S) protein mutations is discussed here.

30 Jun 2021

Spike Protein News and Research

Scientists identify natural SARS-CoV-2 super immunity against 23 variants

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine demonstrates ~90% efficacy against SARS-CoV-2

Rapid quantification of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific T cells by direct peptide stimulation of whole peripheral blood

Janssens’ COVID-19 vaccine effective against SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

COVID-19 vaccination induces highly variable immunity among the immunocompromised

Replication of SARS-CoV-2 in nasal ciliated cells could provide a new vaccination target

Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 could last longer than originally believed

Engineered T cells prevent translational shutdown in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells

Mutations in the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 select for amino acid changes, increasing protein stability

Cryo-EM structure of neutralizing antibody 5-7 in complex with SARS CoV-2 spike

Grapevine leaf extract inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and HSV-1 replication in the lab

Study highlights the importance of T cell cross reactivity in stopping severe COVID-19 infections

Study explores lectins from plants, fungi, algae and cyanobacteria as pan-coronavirus inhibitors

Study evaluates neutralizing antibody responses elicited by the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Could peridomestic mammals act as zoonotic reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2?

Researchers identify proteins that contribute to the pathogenicity of COVID-19 virus

New study maps evolutionary history and interrelationships of protein domains

COVID mRNA vaccines induce antibodies against three SARS-CoV-2 variants

Ion channel conserved in coronaviruses a potential new drug target for COVID therapeutics

Study highlights changes within SARS-CoV-2 variants that could be exploited to design effective inhibitors

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Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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