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The ability of natural flavonoids to inhibit SARS-CoV-2

A recent systematic review discusses naturally occurring flavonoids as a promising antiviral alternative against SARS-CoV-2.

31 Oct 2021

Scientists scan 110 natural compounds for SARS-CoV-2 antiviral potential

Phytochemicals are plant-derived molecules from medicinal plants that act as a prominent reservoir for treating a wide range of viral infections. In a new study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, scientists adopted a computational approach to identify Mpro inhibitors.

19 Oct 2021

Many people's T-cells recognize the same components of SARS-CoV-2

A new study published on the bioRxiv* preprint aimed to identify highly immunoprevalent CD8 T-cell epitopes specific to SARS-CoV-2 that are confirmed to be endogenously processed and presented on frequently expressed HLA alleles.

18 Oct 2021

Study reveals the zoonotic potential of the rat Sialodacryoadenitis virus

A new review aimed to describe the current state of knowledge on Sialodacryoadenitis virus, along with its characteristics and potential zoonotic threat.

13 Oct 2021

New high-throughput assay could help development of anti-COVID-19 drugs

In a recent study, researchers develop a new high-throughput assay that allows for rapid screening of potential inhibitors.

13 Oct 2021

Inactivated polio vaccine induces antibodies that block SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis

A new study introduces the possibility that the inactivated polio vaccine can elicit antibodies that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid synthesis.

10 Oct 2021

SARS-CoV-2 viroporin activity impacts viral infectivity and pathogenicity

A team of researchers studied the two main viroporins of SARS-CoV-2, namely Orf3a and Envelope (E) protein, from a structural viewpoint.

29 Sep 2021

Genome modeling framework for coronavirus pathogenicity prediction

Recent machine learning techniques have allowed viral genome sequencing to be utilized in a predictive capacity.

23 Sep 2021

SARS-CoV-2 NSP1 protein suppresses host genes while enhancing viral RNA expression

In a recent study, researchers study the molecular aspects of SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry and inhibition of host-specific cellular mechanisms.

20 Sep 2021

New discovery reveals how immune 'sentinel' cells are maintained

WEHI researchers have made a surprise discovery about how immune 'sentinel' cells are maintained, which could have implications for drugs in development for treating cancer.

20 Sep 2021

Mystery deaths of children blamed on insanitary conditions and poor resources in India

While authorities in Uttar Pradesh are narrowing down on dengue as the 'mystery disease' behind the deaths of more than 50 people, mostly children, in the last fortnight, they are not ruling out scrub typhus or other monsoon-related infections.

6 Sep 2021

New study maps the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 delta and delta plus variants

The SARS-CoV-2 delta variant bears the D164G mutation, which is known to enhance viral fitness. However, a number of additional mutations are known to be common to the delta and delta plus lineages, at least 25 as identified in a study recently published in the Journal of Autoimmunity, mainly located on the spike protein of the virus.

30 Aug 2021

A multi-scale cryo-correlative platform to image SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cells

A new study describes the cytopathic episodes triggered by SARS-CoV-2 with virus replication processes in frozen-hydrated cells.

9 Aug 2021

Virus-like particles reveal unexpected mechanism for increased fitness and spread of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers in the United States have developed a new model for testing mutations in the four structural proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

9 Aug 2021

New study describes SARS-CoV-2 ExoN enzyme that promotes antiviral resistance

A new study describes the structure of a crucial enzyme present in SARS-CoV-2.

8 Aug 2021

Study examines the host and viral factors that drive SARS-CoV-2 evolution

In a new paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv*, two clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 are monitored by whole genome sequencing as they are passaged through several generations of Vero cells or human-derived primary nasal epithelial cells (PNEC), allowing direct observation of the occurrence of virus enhancing mutations and the way in which host cell factors shape virus evolution.

21 Jul 2021

Stronger and longer SARS-CoV-2 RBD-ACE2 binding associated with glycans in new study

A new study has been published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, which focuses on the mechanism behind the binding of SARS-CoV-2 with the host receptor, using a molecular dynamics approach. The authors of this study aim to highlight the role of glycans in initiating the interaction between S and ACE2.

19 Jul 2021

Water-soluble vitamin E compounds directly inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication and synergize with remdesivir

Researchers in the United States have shown that water-soluble derivatives of vitamin E (α-tocopherol) exhibit potent antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

15 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

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces accumulation of lipids and N-proteins

Scientists from the Netherlands and the US recently studied the localization of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins in postmortem lung tissues of COVID-19 patients and in SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero cells that were processed identically. The research is posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, prior to peer review.

29 Jun 2021