Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Scientists at retrovirus conference present findings on microbicide gel, Truvada, male circumcision, ART care by nurses

At the annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Boston on Monday, researchers "suggested the potential" of a gel containing the antiretroviral drug tenofovir to reduce the risk of anal HIV transmission, TIME's "Healthland" blog reports.

2 Mar 2011

New insight into HIV/AIDS

A paper published in the March 2011 print edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation offers new insight into what prompts immunity to AIDS in sooty mangabeys, a natural host African monkey species.

2 Mar 2011

Vaccine-induced cellular immune responses against HIV-1 infection exert selective pressure on the virus

An AIDS vaccine tested in people, but found to be ineffective, influenced the genetic makeup of the virus that slipped past. The findings suggest new ideas for developing HIV vaccines.

2 Mar 2011

HIV women take photos to document their lives

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but for women living with human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS, a picture can help them deal with the challenges of living with the virus.

1 Mar 2011

ADC announces RNAscope technology clinical study results for HPV-associated head and neck cancers

Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc. today announced the results of its clinical study utilizing RNAscope technology to detect human papillomavirus E6/E7 mRNA in routine clinical specimens of head and neck cancer.

From Advanced Cell Diagnostics 1 Mar 2011

Anti-AIDS gel shows promise

Dr. Ian McGowan, a professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh who is leading a second-phase study of the gel said, “These are early results, but [they] help set the stage for current and future trials of rectal microbicides and the development of a rectal-specific formulation of tenofovir gel.” Researchers have focused on the use of microbicides such as tenofovir, as a preventive treatment to be used in vaginal sex. However, scientists think unprotected anal sex is much more risky.

1 Mar 2011

New research reveals how maternal antibodies block immune response to measles virus

New research that reveals how maternal antibodies block an immune response to the measles virus is a first step toward improving current childhood vaccination practices, scientists say.

1 Mar 2011

New personalized therapy fools cancer cells into killing themselves

A Wayne State University School of Medicine physician-researcher has developed a personalized therapy to treat a wide range of cancers. The treatment is based on a naturally occurring human enzyme that has been genetically modified to fool cancer cells into killing themselves.

1 Mar 2011

Santaris licenses miR-33 from MGH to treat cardiovascular disorders

Santaris Pharma A/S, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of mRNA and microRNA targeted therapies, today announced that the Company has obtained an exclusive license from Massachusetts General Hospital for intellectual property related to the regulation of miR-33 for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.

1 Mar 2011

Positive preliminary data from SB-728-902 Phase 1 trial against HIV/AIDS presented at 18th CROI

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced today the presentation of positive preliminary clinical data from its Phase 1 trial.

1 Mar 2011

Novavax announces agreement to license VLP vaccine technology to LGLS

Novavax, Inc. announced today an agreement to license its proprietary, recombinant virus-like-particle vaccine technology to LG Life Sciences, Ltd.

1 Mar 2011

Cancer drug may help combat flu

Ever get a flu shot and still get the flu? If so, there's new hope for flu-free winters in the years to come thanks to a new discovery by researchers who found that a drug called DMXAA, originally developed as anti-tumor agent, enhances the ability of flu vaccines to ward off this deadly virus.

1 Mar 2011

Social networking websites can increase risky sexual behaviors in homeless youth: New study

A new UCLA AIDS Institute study suggests that the use of social networking websites by homeless youth can lead to an increase in risky sexual behaviors. But interestingly, homeless kids who used these sites were also more likely to have been tested for sexually transmitted infections and to be better informed about preventing such infections and HIV.

1 Mar 2011

Two genes linked to binge drinking

University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers have identified two genes associated with binge drinking that may open doors to new, more effective treatments for excessive alcohol drinking. The scientists found that manipulating two receptors in the brain, GABA receptors and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), "caused profound reduction" of binge drinking for two weeks in rodents that had been bred and trained to drink excessively. The study was published online the week of Feb. 28 in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

1 Mar 2011

HHS awards two contracts to accelerate flu vaccine availability

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded two contracts today to help make vaccine available more quickly for seasonal flu outbreaks and pandemics. The contracts for advanced development of new types of vaccine and new ways to make flu vaccine known as next-generation recombinant influenza vaccine total $215 million.

28 Feb 2011

Tenofovir gel may help reduce risk of HIV from anal sex

A gel developed to protect against HIV during vaginal sex produced a strong antiviral effect when used in the rectum, according to an early-phase study presented today at the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). The results, based on rectal tissue biopsies sampled from HIV-negative men and women who used the product daily for one week, provide the first-ever evidence that tenofovir gel could help reduce the risk of HIV from anal sex, even though the vaginal gel formulation may not be optimal for rectal use.

28 Feb 2011

New research may shed light on how HIV virus reactivates from latency

New research enhances the current knowledge of how human immunodeficiency virus type-1, which causes AIDS, controls the cell cycle of cells that it infects. The new findings may shed light on how the virus reactivates after entering a dormant state, called latency.

28 Feb 2011

Authorities work to contain measles scare

Health authorities are trying to prevent an outbreak of measles after a woman carrying the transmissible infection travelled widely throughout the United States. The lady in question, 27, allegedly contracted the airborne virus in the United Kingdom and arrived in the United States last week, passing through three U.S. airports on her way to New Mexico, where she is believed to reside. She arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport on Tuesday, February 22, from London.

28 Feb 2011

Acute viral infection does not appear to cause exacerbation of IPF

Acute viral infection does not appear to be a primary cause of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive, deadly disease resulting in thickening and scarring of the lungs, according to a study conducted by researchers from the U.S., Korea and Japan.

28 Feb 2011

New study: Immune molecules can regulate synaptic connections in brain

The number of connections between nerve cells in the brain can be regulated by an immune system molecule, according to a new study from UC Davis. The research, published Feb. 27 in the journal Nature Neuroscience, reveals a potential link between immunity, infectious disease and conditions such as schizophrenia or autism.

27 Feb 2011

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Scientists at retrovirus conference present findings on microbicide gel, Truvada, male circumcision, ART care by nurses

New insight into HIV/AIDS

Vaccine-induced cellular immune responses against HIV-1 infection exert selective pressure on the virus

HIV women take photos to document their lives

ADC announces RNAscope technology clinical study results for HPV-associated head and neck cancers

Anti-AIDS gel shows promise

New research reveals how maternal antibodies block immune response to measles virus

New personalized therapy fools cancer cells into killing themselves

Santaris licenses miR-33 from MGH to treat cardiovascular disorders

Positive preliminary data from SB-728-902 Phase 1 trial against HIV/AIDS presented at 18th CROI

Novavax announces agreement to license VLP vaccine technology to LGLS

Cancer drug may help combat flu

Social networking websites can increase risky sexual behaviors in homeless youth: New study

Two genes linked to binge drinking

HHS awards two contracts to accelerate flu vaccine availability

Tenofovir gel may help reduce risk of HIV from anal sex

New research may shed light on how HIV virus reactivates from latency

Authorities work to contain measles scare

Acute viral infection does not appear to cause exacerbation of IPF

New study: Immune molecules can regulate synaptic connections in brain

Microplate-based assays in virology research eBook eBook

Redefining control and consistency in anaerobic microbiome workflows

AI in Healthcare: How generative tools are transforming clinical practice

The future of automation: Machine learning–driven hepatocyte and organoid counting