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SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine tested in animal model

A team of experts has tested the immune responses elicited by mucosal homologous plasmid and a heterologous immunization strategy using a plasmid vaccine and a Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) antigens.

21 Feb 2021

Novel SARS-CoV-2 vaccine utilizes recombinant spike protein with PIKA adjuvant

The primary aim of any vaccine is to stimulate immune functions and confer long-lasting protection. A paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv by Tong et al. (17th Feb 2021) describes a novel vaccine utilizing PIKA adjuvant and recombinant spike proteins against COVID-19 disease that promises the generation of potent neutralization antibodies, which potentially support immune responses for years.

21 Feb 2021

Proteases modulate SARS-CoV-2 spike protein activation and deactivation

A research paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv by Platt et al. (17th Feb 2021) aimed to identify these enzymes by computational screening and molecular docking simulations, with cathepsins B, K, L, S, and V being highlighted as probable leads.

21 Feb 2021

A different strategy for wastewater detection of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers tested a variety of RNA concentration and extraction methods and assays to develop a protocol for testing SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, which may help improve COVID-19 surveillance.

21 Feb 2021

Cissampelos pareira L. extracts demonstrate anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro

A team of scientists from India has recently investigated the antiviral potency of a traditional medicinal plant Cissampelos pareira L. in preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The findings reveal that both whole-plant extracts and bioactive compounds can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by modulating estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) activity.

21 Feb 2021

Evolution of the spike gene of SARS-CoV-2 for human adaptation

Researchers have found a 96% similarity in nucleotide sequence between bat coronavirus (RaTG13), isolated from Rhinolophus affinis bats in China in 2013, and SARS-CoV-2 and ~97% amino acid similarity with the Spike (S) protein. This S protein performs two essential roles, i.e., mediates receptor-binding and membrane fusion. Hence, spike protein is regarded as a key coronavirus determinant of host tropism.

21 Feb 2021

Study maps SARS-CoV-2 infected brains

Researchers in the United States and Canada have mapped the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the brains of people who died from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

21 Feb 2021

Study shows real-world effectiveness of Moderna and Pfizer/BioNtech vaccines

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study demonstrating the real-world effectiveness of the recently approved Moderna and Pfizer/BioNtech vaccines at protecting against infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

21 Feb 2021

Vaccination programs combined with physical distancing could contain COVID-19 resurgence

A combination of robust vaccination programs and strict physical distancing rules could avoid recurring peaks of COVID-19 without the need to rely on stay-at-home restrictions, according to a new study by epidemiologists and demographers from WorldPop at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

20 Feb 2021

Researchers test the therapeutic efficacy of potential COVID-19 interventions in mouse models

Aarthi Narayanan, Associate Professor, and Lance Liotta, Co-Director, Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, are conducting three studies to assess the therapeutic efficacy of candidate interventions for COVID-19 in mouse models.

20 Feb 2021

Research shows impact of seasonal temperature changes on SARS-CoV-2 transmission

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused tremendous upheaval, leading to more than 2.3 million deaths worldwide and 465,000 in the United States.

20 Feb 2021

Interval between doses of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine can be safely extended to 3 months, suggests study

A 3-month interval between doses of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine results in higher vaccine efficacy than a 6-week interval, with the first dose offering 76% protection in the 3 months between doses.

20 Feb 2021

Antimicrobial resistance to critical drugs spirals in low- and middle-income countries

As antibiotic use grows in lower-income countries so does antibiotic resistance, says report.

20 Feb 2021

Review provides an overview of immunogenicity profiles of leading SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates

In a new Review, P.J. Klasse and colleagues present an extensive overview of the immunogenicity profiles of several leading SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates, including several developed under the auspices of the U.S. Government's "Operation Warp Speed" program, as well as leading candidates from China and Russia.

20 Feb 2021

Intranasal COVID-19 vaccine candidate preclinically tested at UAB expected to start clinical trial

The Altimmune Inc. vaccine candidate that was tested preclinically at the University of Alabama at Birmingham last year is expected to start patient enrollment for its Phase 1 clinical trial next week.

20 Feb 2021

New biomarker predicts individual anti-tuberculosis treatment duration

When can tuberculosis therapy be stopped without risk of relapse? Doctors are faced with this question time and again, because the lack of detection of the tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis is no guarantee for a permanent cure of the lung infection.

20 Feb 2021

Research calculates the years of life lost to COVID-19 in 81 countries

The major direct and indirect effects of covid-19 have forced the authorities to implement policies that strike a balance between minimizing the immediate health impact of the pandemic and containing the long-term damage to society arising from protective policies.

20 Feb 2021

Study: Asthma does not increase risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19

A new study looking at how COVID-19 affects people with asthma provides reassurance that having the condition doesn't increase the risk of severe illness or death from the virus.

20 Feb 2021

Live attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate shows protective efficacy in vivo

A new preprint on the bioRxiv* server describes the development of a live attenuated vaccine candidate to counter the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

19 Feb 2021

Llama-derived nanobodies show neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in vitro

A new study reports the development of nanoantibodies (nAbs) – also called or nanobodiesTM or single-domain antibodies – that effectively bind the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from the ancestral Wuhan variant as well as the recently detected UK and South African variants.

19 Feb 2021

Disease/Infection News

SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine tested in animal model

Novel SARS-CoV-2 vaccine utilizes recombinant spike protein with PIKA adjuvant

Proteases modulate SARS-CoV-2 spike protein activation and deactivation

A different strategy for wastewater detection of SARS-CoV-2

Cissampelos pareira L. extracts demonstrate anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro

Evolution of the spike gene of SARS-CoV-2 for human adaptation

Study maps SARS-CoV-2 infected brains

Study shows real-world effectiveness of Moderna and Pfizer/BioNtech vaccines

Vaccination programs combined with physical distancing could contain COVID-19 resurgence

Researchers test the therapeutic efficacy of potential COVID-19 interventions in mouse models

Research shows impact of seasonal temperature changes on SARS-CoV-2 transmission

Interval between doses of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine can be safely extended to 3 months, suggests study

Antimicrobial resistance to critical drugs spirals in low- and middle-income countries

Review provides an overview of immunogenicity profiles of leading SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates

Intranasal COVID-19 vaccine candidate preclinically tested at UAB expected to start clinical trial

New biomarker predicts individual anti-tuberculosis treatment duration

Research calculates the years of life lost to COVID-19 in 81 countries

Study: Asthma does not increase risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19

Live attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate shows protective efficacy in vivo

Llama-derived nanobodies show neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in vitro

Exploring the nanoscale: How AFM is transforming cosmetic science

Innovating Texture and Culture in Plant-Based Foods

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

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