Virus News and Research

RSS

A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that can reproduce only inside a host cell. Viruses infect all types of organisms: from animals and plants, to bacteria and archaea. Since the initial discovery of tobacco mosaic virus by Martinus Beijerinck in 1898, more than 5,000 types of virus have been described in detail, although most types of virus remain undiscovered. Viruses are ubiquitous, as they are found in almost every ecosystem on Earth, and are the most abundant type of biological entity on the planet. The study of viruses is known as virology, and is a branch of microbiology.

Researchers identify new potential drug target that may block SARS-CoV-2 infection

In the quest for new treatments for COVID-19, a team led by researchers at UC San Francisco has identified a new potential drug target that may block infection by SARS-CoV-2. The protein, called BRD2, regulates the ACE2 receptor, which the novel coronavirus relies on to gain entry to its host's cells.

17 Jan 2022

Synthetic antibody demonstrates Omicron detection along with all other variants of concern

MIP Diagnostics Ltd. has today announced that its synthetic SARS-CoV-2 antibody (COVID-19 nanoMIPTM) can detect the Omicron variant as well as previously proven Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma variants of the COVID-19 virus.

14 Jan 2022

Understanding mosquitoes' mating game could help curb the spread of malaria

Male mosquitoes beat their wings faster when swarming at sunset to better detect females and increase their chance of reproducing, finds a novel study led by UCL scientists.

From University College London 13 Jan 2022

First molecular images of enzyme may help solve the mystery cause of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases

WEHI researchers have produced the first molecular images of an enzyme that controls proteins to signal and communicate with each other in human cells.

From Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) 13 Jan 2022

Research sheds new insights into development of lung macrophages in humans

The lungs are exposed to microorganisms like viruses and bacteria from the moment of the first breath.

13 Jan 2022

The Native Antigen Company Expands Range of Norovirus-Like Particles

The Native Antigen Company today announced the expansion of its norovirus-like particle range, with the addition of six new reagents.

From The Native Antigen Company 13 Jan 2022

Study analyzes the impact of T cells from common cold coronaviruses against SARS-CoV-2 exposure

A new study has illustrated that people having higher levels of T cells from common cold coronaviruses are not likely to get infected with SARS-CoV-2.

13 Jan 2022

Researchers determine how key protein drives the defense system to fight viruses

Scientists have just found a solution to a major mystery that explains how human blood cells train the defense system against viruses. They hope that this discovery will one day allow them to better control the response and either boost or calm it as needed.

13 Jan 2022

Omicron variant hampers the effectiveness of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, study shows

The Omicron variant was detected for the first time in South Africa in November 2021 and has since spread to many countries.

From Institut Pasteur 10 Jan 2022

Experts introduce new gene therapy approach for muscle weakness

Experts at Children’s National Hospital have created a new pre-clinical gene therapy for the rare condition limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) 2B.

7 Jan 2022

Novel delivery system for genome editing in vascular endothelial cells developed

The laboratory of Youyang Zhao developed a novel nanoparticle to deliver genome editing technology, such as CRISPR/Cas9, to endothelial cells, which line blood vessel walls.

7 Jan 2022

T cell responses likely to protect against Omicron, says research

T cells are thought to be effective in setting up an immune response against Omicron despite the substantially higher mutations compared to earlier variants of concern.

7 Jan 2022

Research analyzes horizontal gene transfer between viruses and eukaryotes

The level at which viruses can pick up genes from their hosts to hone their infection process is illustrated by the first analysis of viral horizontal gene transfer.

7 Jan 2022

New high-quality assay can be used in at-home tests for rapid COVID-19 screening

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have designed a high-quality assay that can be used in at-home tests for rapid COVID-19 screening.

4 Jan 2022

Researchers grow intestinal organoids to study why bats infected with viruses do not succumb to diseases

Experiments attempting to explain why bats can be infected with many viruses at a time without succumbing to diseases such as COVID-19-;knowledge that could help us to reduce the threat to humans of infectious disease-;have struggled until now with the fact that live wild bats make poor research subjects.

30 Dec 2021

COVID-19 virus spreads through cell-to-cell transmission

The virus that causes COVID-19 has adopted some stealth moves to stay alive and kicking, and one secret to its success is hiding from the immune system by spreading through cell-to-cell transmission, a new study has found.

24 Dec 2021

BioDock; Paving the Way for Sample Storage

In this interview, we speak to Matt Mosey, an account manager for BioDock, about the importance of sample storage and its many benefits for researchers.

From BioDock 22 Dec 2021

Study provides evidence of human to animal transmission of SARS-CoV-2

A geographic and genetic analysis of variants of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses in animals and humans might offer proof of interspecies transmission globally.

21 Dec 2021

Antibody-like proteins from sharks can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants

Small, unique antibody-like proteins known as VNARs -; derived from the immune systems of sharks -; can prevent the virus that causes COVID-19, its variants, and related coronaviruses from infecting human cells, according to a new study published Dec. 16.

17 Dec 2021

Breakthrough infections enhance immune response to COVID-19 variants

Breakthrough infections greatly enhance immune response to variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a newly published study from Oregon Health & Science University.

17 Dec 2021

Virus News and Research

Researchers identify new potential drug target that may block SARS-CoV-2 infection

Synthetic antibody demonstrates Omicron detection along with all other variants of concern

Understanding mosquitoes' mating game could help curb the spread of malaria

First molecular images of enzyme may help solve the mystery cause of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases

Research sheds new insights into development of lung macrophages in humans

The Native Antigen Company Expands Range of Norovirus-Like Particles

Study analyzes the impact of T cells from common cold coronaviruses against SARS-CoV-2 exposure

Researchers determine how key protein drives the defense system to fight viruses

Omicron variant hampers the effectiveness of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, study shows

Experts introduce new gene therapy approach for muscle weakness

Novel delivery system for genome editing in vascular endothelial cells developed

T cell responses likely to protect against Omicron, says research

Research analyzes horizontal gene transfer between viruses and eukaryotes

New high-quality assay can be used in at-home tests for rapid COVID-19 screening

Researchers grow intestinal organoids to study why bats infected with viruses do not succumb to diseases

COVID-19 virus spreads through cell-to-cell transmission

BioDock; Paving the Way for Sample Storage

Study provides evidence of human to animal transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Antibody-like proteins from sharks can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants

Breakthrough infections enhance immune response to COVID-19 variants

Expert Insights: HiMedia Labs on Advancing Nucleic Acid Extraction Across Industries

Quorum Bio: Where Synthetic Biology Meets Sustainable Farming

Diagnostic Biochips: Pioneering Brain Research Tools for the Future

Latest in Genomics