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.

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

Researchers use CRISPR-Cas9 to successfully target brown fat

Fat is an essential component of life, however too much fat leads to numerous health issues. Investigating the role played by fat or adipose tissue is significant to get a better understanding of obesity and other problems.

17 Dec 2021

Experts investigate link between COVID-19 and Parkinson’s disease

Case reports of younger COVID-19 patients developing Parkinson’s disease within weeks of contracting the virus led researchers to investigate a possible link between the two conditions.

17 Dec 2021

Study details the design of RNA-based breathalyzer to diagnose SARS-CoV-2

In a new study in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, published by Elsevier, investigators report on the design and testing of a breathalyzer, known as the Bubbler, that relies on viral RNA detection to diagnose SARS-CoV-2. Its name is derived from the bubbling sound that occurs when the patient exhales into the device.

14 Dec 2021