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MD65 IgG-YTE shows powerful post-exposure neutralization of SARS-CoV-2

A recent study published in the preprint server bioRxiv in October 2020 describes a reliable animal model to demonstrate the powerful capacity of human neutralizing mAbs directed against SARS-CoV-2 to prevent viral binding the host cell receptor and thus block infection. This indicates the lifesaving value of mAbs in severe COVID-19.

29 Oct 2020

Phase 1 trial results of gorilla adenovirus vaccine for COVID-19

A recent study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in October 2020 reports the development of a novel vaccine based on a simian adenoviral vector obtained from a group C gorilla isolate called GRAd32. This could help speed up vaccine development.

26 Oct 2020

Combination of peptides and antibiotics could be key to eliminating Leishmania parasites

A combination of peptides and antibiotics could be key to eliminating the parasite causing leishmaniasis and avoiding the toxicity to people and animals caused by current drugs.

16 Oct 2020

Combination of antibiotics and peptides could eliminate parasite-causing leishmaniasis

A combination of peptides and antibiotics could be key to eliminating the parasite causing leishmaniasis and avoiding the toxicity to people and animals caused by current drugs.

16 Oct 2020

Rapid development of functionally diverse SARS-COV-2 mouse monoclonal antibodies

Now, a recent study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in October 2020 reports the development of a rapid process for generating high-affinity mouse mAbs, and their functional attributes.

16 Oct 2020

Cats and dogs are low risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission to humans

Researchers from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University studied the possible transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among domestic cats and dogs.

5 Oct 2020

Social isolation worsens the effects of Alzheimer's disease, study shows

A study in mice conducted by the UAB shows that social isolation worsens the effects of Alzheimer's disease, with hyperactivity levels reaching up to twice as much as in the pathology itself.

1 Oct 2020

Hamsters and ferrets clear low dose SARS-CoV-2 infection in 14 days

A recent study by French researchers has demonstrated that experimental exposure to severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is capable of inducing mild infection in hamsters and ferrets within 7 – 10 days of exposure. However, the infection completely resolves within 14 days. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv preprint server.

28 Sep 2020

SARS-CoV-2 infects monocytes and macrophages, without cytopathic effect

A team of researchers from Aix-Marseille Univ, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Institut Paoli Calmettes and Laboratoire d’Immunologie, Marseille, France, conducted experiments to determine if SARS-CoV-2 can affect the myeloid compartment or infect monocytes and macrophages.

20 Sep 2020

Keto diet could be beneficial for elderly COVID-19 patients

A recent study by researchers at Yale School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health and Washington University School of Medicine, claims that the ketogenic diet (high fat, low carbohydrate diet) is capable of mitigating clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in elderly people by improving immune-metabolic functions and reducing inflammation. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

14 Sep 2020

Antibody-mediated platelet death linked to COVID-19 severity

A new study by University of Tuebingen researchers shows the strong association between platelet apoptosis and the thrombotic manifestations that may underlie critical COVID-19 illness.

7 Sep 2020

Tattoo ink could be the key to improving cancer detection

The humble ink in a tattoo artist's needle could be the key to improving the detection of cancer, thanks to new research from the USC Viterbi Department of Biomedical Engineering.

2 Sep 2020

SARS-CoV-2-RNA viremia is a robust marker of critical illness in COVID-19

A new study by a large team of Spanish researchers and published on the preprint server medRxiv* in August 2020 reports that the presence of viral RNA in the blood is a useful marker of impending acute disease and can help triage COVID-19 disease patients who will require hospital care.

1 Sep 2020

Negligible ACE2 expression in human beta-cells

Now, a new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv reports that even though the fatality rate is significantly higher in diabetics, there is no evidence that this is due to direct viral infection of pancreatic beta cells, which produce the key hormone in glucose homeostasis, namely insulin.

1 Sep 2020

New lipid derivatives of Remdesivir have higher anti-coronavirus activity

In a fascinating new preprint paper published on bioRxiv* in August 2020, the researchers report “the synthesis and antiviral evaluation of three novel lipophilic prodrugs of RVn-monophosphate that are substantially more active than Remdesivir in cells infected with SARS-CoV-2.” These could be of immense use in treating COVID-19 patients early and helping to end transmission.

30 Aug 2020

Researchers find link between dystrophic muscles and lymphatic system in mice with Duchenne disease

Researchers at the Universities of Maynooth and Bonn discover a new connection in muscular dystrophy Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common muscle disease in children and is passed on by X-linked recessive inheritance.

27 Aug 2020

Heat Biologics SARS-CoV-2 vaccine generates potent T cell response in pre-clinical trial

The COVID-19 pandemic is still creating economic and health-related impact over the world. A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in August 2020 shows that a gp96-Ig-secreting vaccine candidate based on the expression of full-length spike protein generates a potent T cell response.

26 Aug 2020

Researchers identify potential drug target for curtailing cancer metastasis

Researchers led by Ludwig Chicago Co-director Ralph Weichselbaum and Ronald Rock of the University of Chicago have identified in preclinical studies a potential drug target for curtailing cancer metastasis.

24 Aug 2020

New SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effective in macaques

Researchers from the biotechnology company Novavax in Gaithersburg, Maryland, have developed a vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that successfully induces immunogenicity and protection against the virus in macaques.

20 Aug 2020