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.

Using a programmable control switch to deliver therapeutic RNA molecules to target cells

Using an RNA sensor, MIT engineers have designed a new way to trigger cells to turn on a synthetic gene.

17 Mar 2023

Emergence and spread of a deadly fungus among African amphibians

For the past few years, how a virus triggered a global pandemic has dominated conversations. Now, thanks to the TV show "The Last of Us" (about an apocalypse triggered by brain-eating 'shrooms), fungi have infected popular culture.

16 Mar 2023

Study reveals: Coronaviruses that cause common colds boost immune response to COVID-19

During the pandemic, it became clear that children who contracted COVID-19 became less ill than adults. One hypothesis has been that common colds would give children immunity protecting against a severe form of the disease. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are now able to show that OC43, one of the coronaviruses that cause common colds, boosts the immune response to COVID-19. The study, which is published in PNAS, could give rise to more tailored vaccine programmes for children and adults.

16 Mar 2023

Novel web-based tool deoptimizes genetic sequences based on different codon usage

A new software tool developed by Texas Biomedical Research Institute and collaborators can help scientists and vaccine developers quickly edit genetic blueprints of pathogens to make them less harmful.

16 Mar 2023

Age-related sarcopenia prevented by AAV1.NT-3 gene therapy

A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 5, entitled, "AAV1.NT-3 gene therapy prevents age-related sarcopenia."

16 Mar 2023

New framework to identify possible viral hazards to human health

The majority of what scientists know about viruses in animals comes from the list of nucleotides that constitute their genomic sequence, which, although useful, provides relatively few signals about a virus’ propensity to infect people.

14 Mar 2023

Effective backup mechanism ensures efficient antimicrobial responses in humans

In the human body, virus particles are identified by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) either within or on the cell surface. When a receptor is activated, a signaling cascade is initiated, which results in the production and release of signaling molecules like interferons and cytokines.

14 Mar 2023

Bacteriophages might hold the key to fighting antibiotic resistance

As conventional antibiotics continue to lose effectiveness against evolving pathogens, scientists are keen to employ the bacteria-killing techniques perfected by bacteriophages, the viruses that infect bacteria.

14 Mar 2023

New class of oral drugs inhibits a diverse range of SARS-CoV-2 strains

The constant evolution of new COVID-19 variants makes it critical for clinicians to have multiple therapies in their arsenal for treating drug-resistant infections. Researchers have now discovered that a new class of oral drugs that acts directly on human cells can inhibit a diverse range of pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 strains.

13 Mar 2023

Investigating the potential cellular effects of C-reactive protein

The biological function of the C-reactive protein, CRP, has long been unidentified. Investigators at LiU have discovered that this protein has a useful function in the inflammatory disease systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE.

10 Mar 2023

Pentamer shape of C-reactive protein can suppress the immune response in inflammatory disease

The biological function of the C-reactive protein, CRP, has long been unknown. Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden now show that this protein has a beneficial function in systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE, an inflammatory disease.

9 Mar 2023

Small group of airway neurons plays a key role in alerting the brain about infection

A new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School illuminates how the brain becomes aware that there is an infection in the body.

9 Mar 2023

LDL-mediated nanoparticle drug delivery could potentially circumvent high-grade gliomas

New research has shown that the blood vessels that feed aggressive brain tumors have receptors that could allow a new type of drug-containing nanoparticle to be used to starve the tumors of the energy they use to grow and spread, and also cause other disruptions to their adapted existence, even killing themselves.

8 Mar 2023

BGI’s fluorescent RT-PCR kit obtains market access qualification for detecting SARS-CoV-2, IFV A, IFV B in Australia

On March 2, BGI's Multiplex Real-time Fluorescent RT-PCR Kit for Detecting SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A Virus and Influenza B Virus obtained market access qualification to enter the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

8 Mar 2023

Analyzing microscopic chalk disks coccoliths formed by the marine algae

Under the guidance of Rutgers University, a research group learning about virus-host interactions of worldwide abundant and armor-plated marine algae, Emiliania huxleyi, has discovered that the circular and chalk plates produced by the algae have the potential to serve as catalysts for viral infection.

From Rutgers University 7 Mar 2023

Researchers discover how specific mutation in a bacterium results in phage resistance

As antibacterial resistance continues to render obsolete the use of some antibiotics, some have turned to bacteria-killing viruses to treat acute infections as well as some chronic illnesses.

7 Mar 2023

New method can rapidly detect COVID-19 infections with near-perfect accuracy

By inspecting the body's immune response at a molecular level, a research team has developed a new way to test patients for COVID-19.

28 Feb 2023

Effective and faster methodology detects RNA viruses based on the triplex-forming probe technology

Experts from the University of Barcelona, the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC) and the Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute of Aragon (INMA) -;a joint institute of the CSIC and the University of Zaragoza-; have developed a new method to detect RNA viruses based on the triplex-forming probe technology.

28 Feb 2023

Study highlights key role of group 2 innate lymphoid cells in shaping the alveolar niche

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Liège on group 2 innate lymphoid cells (or ILC2s) shows that the functional reprogramming of these cells following their exposure to viruses allows our body to react differently to exposure to certain respiratory allergens.

27 Feb 2023

Herpesvirus infection boosts host cellular immunity: Study

A new editorial was published in Genes & Cancer on January 19th, 2023, entitled, "Severe herpesvirus infection beats adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma."

27 Feb 2023

Virus News and Research

Using a programmable control switch to deliver therapeutic RNA molecules to target cells

Emergence and spread of a deadly fungus among African amphibians

Study reveals: Coronaviruses that cause common colds boost immune response to COVID-19

Novel web-based tool deoptimizes genetic sequences based on different codon usage

Age-related sarcopenia prevented by AAV1.NT-3 gene therapy

New framework to identify possible viral hazards to human health

Effective backup mechanism ensures efficient antimicrobial responses in humans

Bacteriophages might hold the key to fighting antibiotic resistance

New class of oral drugs inhibits a diverse range of SARS-CoV-2 strains

Investigating the potential cellular effects of C-reactive protein

Pentamer shape of C-reactive protein can suppress the immune response in inflammatory disease

Small group of airway neurons plays a key role in alerting the brain about infection

LDL-mediated nanoparticle drug delivery could potentially circumvent high-grade gliomas

BGI’s fluorescent RT-PCR kit obtains market access qualification for detecting SARS-CoV-2, IFV A, IFV B in Australia

Analyzing microscopic chalk disks coccoliths formed by the marine algae

Researchers discover how specific mutation in a bacterium results in phage resistance

New method can rapidly detect COVID-19 infections with near-perfect accuracy

Effective and faster methodology detects RNA viruses based on the triplex-forming probe technology

Study highlights key role of group 2 innate lymphoid cells in shaping the alveolar niche

Herpesvirus infection boosts host cellular immunity: Study

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