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.

Researchers discover genetic variants of host proteins involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Like all viruses, the novel coronavirus is dependent on help from the human host cell. Proteins are the functional units of the cell and enable the virus to enter the host cell or help the virus to replicate.

17 Dec 2020

Study may lead to new approaches to protect older individuals from viruses

A drug that boosts the removal of cellular debris in immune cells may increase the protective effects of vaccines in older adults, a study published today in eLife shows.

16 Dec 2020

Researchers identify new therapeutic target to fight COVID-19 disease

In COVID-19 patients with severe lung disease, targeting the endothelial cells—that is, cells comprising the blood vessel wall, which control oxygen exchange between the bloodstream and airways—may be an innovative strategy to restore normal function of the lungs.

15 Dec 2020

Molecular markers in the blood can predict severe COVID-19 outcomes

Molecular markers in the blood shown to be predictive of severe COVID-19 outcomes resulting from SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection have been identified in a study by a Chinese research team.

15 Dec 2020

Using genetic engineering to grow synthetic livers

News-Medical talks to Dr. Mo Ebrahimkhani about his research using genetic engineering together with a machine-learning algorithm to mature a lab-grown 'designer liver organoid'.

From University of Pittsburgh 15 Dec 2020

Newly identified diagnostic marker can help overcome treatment resistance in cervical cancer

Scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles have discovered a promising diagnostic marker that may help predict the response of cervical cancer patients to standard radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

14 Dec 2020

Toxic pollutants may be influencing wildlife disease spread, finds study

Exposure to toxic pollutants associated with human activities may be influencing the spread of infectious diseases in wildlife, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.

From University of Georgia 11 Dec 2020

Study sheds light on molecular underpinnings of long-term memory

On a late summer day in 1953, a young man who would soon be known as patient H.M. underwent experimental surgery.

From Harvard Medical School 10 Dec 2020

Researchers identify key molecular processes used by coronaviruses to survive

When a coronavirus--including SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19--infects someone, it hijacks the person's cells, co-opting their molecular machinery for its own survival and spread.

9 Dec 2020

Study provides new insight on how lung bacteria protect against invading pathogens

New insight on how bacteria in the lungs protect against invading pathogens has been published today in the open-access eLife journal.

9 Dec 2020

Researchers use new decoding method to identify novel proteins encoded by HSV-1

Comprehensive identification of viral proteins encoded by viral genes is required to understand the pathophysiology of viral infections.

8 Dec 2020

Gene therapy and medication can provide certain beneficial effects of physical exercise

Jose Bianco Moreira from NTNU is now convinced that gene therapy can be used to achieve the positive health benefits of physical exercise.

7 Dec 2020

CRISPR-based test for COVID-19 provides quick, accurate results

Imagine swabbing your nostrils, putting the swab in a device, and getting a read-out on your phone in 15 to 30 minutes that tells you if you are infected with the COVID-19 virus.

7 Dec 2020

Chemical compounds in foods can inhibit a key SARS-Cov-2 enzyme

Chemical compounds in foods or beverages like green tea and dark chocolate can bind to and block the function of an enzyme in SARS-CoV-2.

3 Dec 2020

Specific immune mechanism in COVID-19 patients triggers inflammatory process

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have demonstrated for the first time that in COVID-19 patients an immune mechanism known as the inflammasome participates in activation of the inflammatory process that can damage several organs and even lead to death.

3 Dec 2020

Researchers determine role of NLRP1 protein in detecting the common cold virus

The role of a protein in detecting the common cold virus and kickstarting an immune response to fight infection has been uncovered by a team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the National University of Singapore.

From Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore) 3 Dec 2020

Researchers identify chemical compounds that could block key enzyme in SARS-CoV-2

According to a new study, chemical compounds found in dark chocolate can inhibit the function of a specific enzyme, or protease, in the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

1 Dec 2020

New breakthrough in AI system could significantly accelerate biological research

In a major scientific advance, the latest version of DeepMind's AI system AlphaFold has been recognized as a solution to the 50-year-old grand challenge of protein structure prediction, often referred to as the 'protein folding problem', according to a rigorous independent assessment.

1 Dec 2020

Scientists conduct “molecular dissection” of part of virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease

Scientists have conducted a 'molecular dissection' of a part of the virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease, to try and understand why the pathogen is so infectious.

1 Dec 2020

Scientists successfully edit SIV virus from genomes of non-human primates

Taking a major step forward in HIV research, scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University have successfully edited SIV - a virus closely related to HIV, the cause of AIDS - from the genomes of non-human primates.

1 Dec 2020

Virus News and Research

Researchers discover genetic variants of host proteins involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Study may lead to new approaches to protect older individuals from viruses

Researchers identify new therapeutic target to fight COVID-19 disease

Molecular markers in the blood can predict severe COVID-19 outcomes

Using genetic engineering to grow synthetic livers

Newly identified diagnostic marker can help overcome treatment resistance in cervical cancer

Toxic pollutants may be influencing wildlife disease spread, finds study

Study sheds light on molecular underpinnings of long-term memory

Researchers identify key molecular processes used by coronaviruses to survive

Study provides new insight on how lung bacteria protect against invading pathogens

Researchers use new decoding method to identify novel proteins encoded by HSV-1

Gene therapy and medication can provide certain beneficial effects of physical exercise

CRISPR-based test for COVID-19 provides quick, accurate results

Chemical compounds in foods can inhibit a key SARS-Cov-2 enzyme

Specific immune mechanism in COVID-19 patients triggers inflammatory process

Researchers determine role of NLRP1 protein in detecting the common cold virus

Researchers identify chemical compounds that could block key enzyme in SARS-CoV-2

New breakthrough in AI system could significantly accelerate biological research

Scientists conduct “molecular dissection” of part of virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease

Scientists successfully edit SIV virus from genomes of non-human primates

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