Virus News and Research

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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.

AI accelerates drug discovery to fight COVID-19

A global race is underway to discover a vaccine, drug, or combination of treatments that can disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, and prevent widespread deaths.

24 Apr 2020

Developing novel compounds that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 main protease

A research team from China has now created two novel compounds that block the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro).

23 Apr 2020

Preventing viral infections by protein shell misassembly

A study published recently in eLife reports new understanding of conditions that govern self-assembly in the protective shell of viruses.

23 Apr 2020

Identifying Salmonella

AZoLifeSciences speaks to Dr. Silin Tang about her research into the importance of identifying salmonella in food.

23 Apr 2020

New database of 14,000 known macrolactones could aid future drug discovery

Researchers from North Carolina State University and Collaborations Pharmaceuticals have created a free-to-use database of 14,000 known macrolactones - large molecules used in drug development - which contains information about the molecular characteristics, chemical diversity and biological activities of this structural class.

22 Apr 2020

A novel prediction method for promising antiviral drug or vaccine targets

A novel method to predict the most promising targets for antiviral drugs or vaccines is based on the conformational changes viral glycoproteins go through during the process of recognition and binding to the host cell.

21 Apr 2020

Glycomimetics can prevent viruses from infecting cells

Viruses are responsible for causing many different diseases, with the present coronavirus pandemic being one such example. Hence, these infectious agents are part of the human experience all through their lives.

21 Apr 2020

Researchers work on developing COVID-19 vaccine using plant virus

At the University of California San Diego, nanoengineers are making efforts to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 using a plant virus—an unconventional candidate.

21 Apr 2020

Genetic variability of immune system affects severity of COVID-19

Genetic variations in the immune system of humans may have an impact on the vulnerability to, and severity of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

20 Apr 2020

New Coronavirus Research Examines Immune Response

A study has been launched to understand how the body's immune system responds to COVID-19, including if and when a person could be re-infected with the virus.

20 Apr 2020

Corona and Air Pollution: How does it Impact Fatalities?

Elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air may be associated with a high number of deaths from COVID-19.

20 Apr 2020

Designing Peptide Inhibitors For Possible COVID-19 Treatments

Scientists across the globe are rushing to find inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus behind the COVID-19 pandemic.

20 Apr 2020

Unlocking New Ways To Understanding Evolving Strains Of SARS-Cov-2

Researchers from CSIRO have unveiled a new approach to analyzing the genetic codes - or the blueprint - of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

20 Apr 2020

Specialized proteins could help combat severe cytokine storms in COVID-19 patients

One of the defining features of COVID-19 is the excessive immune response that can occur in severe cases. This burst of immune overreaction, also called a cytokine storm, damages the lungs and can be fatal.

17 Apr 2020

Sensitive technique makes it possible to study the delivery of RNA drugs

In recent years, RNA molecules, with the ability to affect or turn off pathogenic genes, have become promising drug candidates in several areas.

17 Apr 2020

Experience Matters For Immune Cells

The discovery that immune T cells have a spectrum of responsiveness could shed light on how our immune system responds to infections and cancer.

17 Apr 2020

Diagnostics, Meet CRISPR

The simplicity of urine sampling has been combined with the excellent sensing abilities of CRISPR to improve diagnostic testing for kidney transplant patients.

17 Apr 2020

Breastfeeding May Lead To Fewer Human Viruses In Infants

Small amounts of breastmilk influence viral populations in the infant's gut and provide a protective effect against potentially pathogenic viruses.

17 Apr 2020

3D simulations will show how coronavirus spike protein binds to human cell receptors

Computational chemist Mahmoud Moradi will develop enhanced, 3D simulations of the molecular dynamics of coronavirus spike glycoproteins to gain better understanding of how the virus binds to human cells.

16 Apr 2020

Single-cell cloning can lead to new therapies for COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death around the world. Now, two internationally acclaimed stem cell experts have discovered a large number of abnormal stem cells found in the lungs of COPD patients.

16 Apr 2020