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Antisense oligonucleotides engineered to inhibit SARS-CoV-2

In a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, structure-based ASOs are developed against SARS-CoV-2, intended to bond with RNA in its structured in situ form, rather than the more rarely encountered linear section, achieving greater affinity and specificity than linear ASOs, and demonstrating inhibition of virus replication in human cells.

30 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant increased COVID-19 severity in Scotland's 3rd wave

A team of UK-based scientists has recently revealed that the alpha variant (B.1.1.7) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the third pandemic wave in Scotland and that the variant is associated with more severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

25 Aug 2021

The emergence and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda (B.1.621) variant

A new study details the genomic characteristics and descent of a SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest.

23 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 lambda variant escapes immune response via spike mutations

A new study explores the mechanism by which the SARS-CoV-2 lambda variant has acquired immune evasion capabilities above that of the wildtype.

20 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies found to neutralize bat coronavirus (RaTG13) in new study

A striking new study examines how far antibodies elicited by vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or by natural infection, can neutralize the closely related bat coronavirus (CoV) RaTG13.

19 Aug 2021

How does the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant’s spike drive membrane fusion and immunity evasion?

A fascinating and timely new study shows how the Delta variant of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) achieved higher transmissibility and resistance to neutralization.

19 Aug 2021

How do glycans affect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein openings?

In a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, the role of glycan coating on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is further investigated by molecular dynamics simulations of the glycosylated and non-glycosylated protein, identifying several key glycans that play a role in stabilizing and protecting the RBD, and also encourage bonding with the ACE2 receptor.

18 Aug 2021

A spike-derived epitope YLQ induces robust polyfunctional cytotoxic T cell responses in COVID-19 recovered individuals

The findings reveal that the dominant spike-derived epitope induces polyfunctional CD8+ T cell response in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovered individuals. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

18 Aug 2021

How delta and kappa variants of SARS-CoV-2 evade the immune system

A new study, available on the bioRxiv* preprint server, describes the neutralizing ability of the monoclonal antibodies against the variants and the difference of the ACE2 binding affinity found in the variants.

17 Aug 2021

Emerging biosensing technologies could revolutionize the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

Sepsis in newborn infants can be fatal. Early diagnosis is thus key to effectively manage the infection. Conventional diagnostic methods are, however, time-consuming.

11 Aug 2021

Natural vs. vaccine-induced COVID-19 immunity

A new paper discusses the protection offered by immunity against COVID-19 following vaccination as compared to natural infection.

10 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 variants and their ability to infect mice

A new study published on the bioRxiv* preprint server has conducted in silico studies along with in vitro, in vivo, and in situ observations and indicated the mouse adaptation of SARS-CoV-2.

10 Aug 2021

New insight into impact of SARS-CoV-2 mutations on receptor binding

A recent study by Canadian researchers, currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server, contributes to the growing body of literature on emerging variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by appraising the impact of single mutations on their overall antigenicity and binding affinity for the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor.

9 Aug 2021

Affinity maturation of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies make them more powerful and resistant to escape mutations

A new study in the journal Immunity shows in fascinating detail how antibodies elicited by this virus show affinity maturation, a process occurring by somatic hypermutation (SHM) in the lymphoid germinal centers, to become more specific in their recognition of antigens.

6 Aug 2021

Multivalent nanobodies show improved neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2

A state-of-the-art engineering approach toward improving the neutralizing activity of a cross-reactive nanobody, previously generated against the original SARS virus, showed it can be an attractive and viable option against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The study is published in the journal Advanced Therapeutics.

5 Aug 2021

“Sybodies” protect against SARS-CoV-2 in hamster model

Researchers in China, The Netherlands, France, and Switzerland have identified synthetic nanobodies or “sybodies” that exhibit potent neutralizing activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

3 Aug 2021

Researchers discover titanium oxide nanoparticle that recognizes SARS-CoV-2’s non-structural protein 1

A pioneering study reports on the interaction of a tailored titanium oxide nanoparticle (NP) with the full-length SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 1 (nsp1). This should be of value in developing new therapeutic tools against coronaviruses that act by targeting their proteins. It could also help map the structure of activated proteins.

2 Aug 2021

Polyuridine sequence of mouse coronavirus can be targeted to prevent host cell death

A new study reports the use of a modified deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) oligonucleotide that has a 3’ polyadenine (polyA) tail to bind to the 5’-polyU tract in the mouse coronavirus (MHV-A59). Treatment of mouse cells infected with MHV-A59 with this molecule led to a marked reduction in cell deaths.

2 Aug 2021

Could novel biosensors facilitate SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drug research?

An intriguing new study presents a novel approach to biosensor-based evaluation of promising drugs that could inhibit the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) via its 3C-like protease (3CLpro), a viral protease.

2 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Q493R protein mutation shows resistance to monoclonal antibodies

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a letter detailing a case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in an immunocompromised patient who did not respond well to monoclonal antibody treatment. The resistance to treatment stemmed from an escape mutation on the spike protein known as Q4923R.

2 Aug 2021