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.

Gene therapy overcomes cardiac effects in mouse model of Freidreich’s ataxia

Gene therapy was successfully used to overcome the cardiac effects of Freidreich’s ataxia (FA) in a mouse model of the disease, as reported in the peer-reviewed journal Human Gene Therapy. Click here to read the full-text article free online through October 18, 2020.

21 Sep 2020

T cells play a vital role in controlling SARS-CoV-2 during acute phase of infection

Ever since SARS-CoV-2 first appeared, researchers have been trying to understand whether sometimes the immune system does more harm than good during the acute phase of COVID-19. The latest study by researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology clearly argues in favor of the immune system.

17 Sep 2020

Study shows immune cells contribute to brain infection

A new study shows how the immune system has a damaging effect on a severe brain condition, which is most commonly caused by the cold sore virus.

17 Sep 2020

Viruses provide a "coup de grace" when ocean algae are stressed and dying

Scientists have long believed that ocean viruses always quickly kill algae, but Rutgers-led research shows they live in harmony with algae and viruses provide a "coup de grace" only when blooms of algae are already stressed and dying.

From Rutgers University 15 Sep 2020

Sticky DNA webs may cause tissue damage linked to severe COVID-19

Sticky webs of DNA released from immune cells known as neutrophils may cause much of the tissue damage associated with severe COVID-19 infections, according to two new studies published on September 14 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM).

15 Sep 2020

Researchers develop highly scalable and accurate antibody test for COVID-19

An antibody test for the virus that causes COVID-19, developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with Houston Methodist and other institutions, is more accurate and can handle a much larger number of donor samples at lower overall cost than standard antibody tests currently in use.

14 Sep 2020

New study can help develop effective COVID-19 vaccine

According to a new study, a detailed analysis of antibody responses in patients affected by COVID-19 could help develop an effective vaccine.

14 Sep 2020

New study reveals metabolic signature of SARS-CoV-2 infection involving signs of multi-organ damage

SARS-CoV-2 can lead to a broad range of symptoms, from absolutely nothing to multi-organ failure, severe respiratory stress, and eventually death.

11 Sep 2020

Protein inhibitors neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture

Using innovative computer-based approaches, researchers have developed protein inhibitors that block the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and human cell receptor ACE2.

10 Sep 2020

Researchers review the role of macrophage activation syndrome in COVID-19

A major percentage of COVID-19 cases have become so severe that hospital admissions have become mandatory for both monitoring and treatment.

10 Sep 2020

Computer-designed proteins protect lab-grown human cells from SARS-CoV-2

Computer-designed small proteins have now been shown to protect lab-grown human cells from SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

10 Sep 2020

Study shows a new way to capture “live” images of immune cells inside the lungs

A team of researchers from the University of Calgary has identified a new method to capture “live” pictures of immune cells within the lungs.

7 Sep 2020

Researchers develop cellular roadmaps to predict the body’s susceptibility to coronavirus

A new study has created promising roadmaps to predict how the novel coronavirus infects organs and detects the factors that could limit the infection.

7 Sep 2020

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause severe abnormalities in the fetus

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause severe abnormalities in the fetus, including malformations such as microcephaly. In a small proportion of cases, the disease may lead to miscarriage and perinatal death.

4 Sep 2020

Researchers investigate cellular factors that could be significant for COVID-19 infection

An infection with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 can affect multiple organs. With this in mind, researchers of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and Cornell University in the US have investigated cellular factors that could be significant for an infection.

4 Sep 2020

Study shows cell surface proteins in placental tissue prevent COVID-19 transmission

Scientists from the Maxwell Finland Laboratory for Infectious Diseases at Boston Medical Center have discovered properties in the placental tissue that may play a significant role in inhibiting the transmission of COVID-19 infection from a mother, who has the novel coronavirus, to her fetus.

3 Sep 2020

Researchers develop new gene therapy for congenital blindness

Retinitis pigmentosa is the most prevalent form of congenital blindness. Using a retinitis pigmentosa mouse model, researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians Universitaet (LMU) in Munich have now shown that targeted activation of genes of similar function can compensate for the primary defect.

3 Sep 2020

Combined point-of-care nucleic acid and antibody test can speed up COVID-19 detection

A Cambridge hospital has piloted the use of combined rapid point-of-care nucleic acid and antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection after researchers at the University of Cambridge showed that this approach was superior to virus detection alone for diagnosing COVID-19 disease.

3 Sep 2020

Study reveals a successful strategy to fight influenza

For a long time, influenza scientists have largely focused their studies on the epithelial cells that line the lungs.

2 Sep 2020

Researchers identify an effective treatment for severe cases of COVID-19 infection

Scientists are trying to figure out how SARS-CoV-2 leads to a range of symptoms that appear to persist long after the active viral infection.

From Osaka University 1 Sep 2020

Virus News and Research

Gene therapy overcomes cardiac effects in mouse model of Freidreich’s ataxia

T cells play a vital role in controlling SARS-CoV-2 during acute phase of infection

Study shows immune cells contribute to brain infection

Viruses provide a "coup de grace" when ocean algae are stressed and dying

Sticky DNA webs may cause tissue damage linked to severe COVID-19

Researchers develop highly scalable and accurate antibody test for COVID-19

New study can help develop effective COVID-19 vaccine

New study reveals metabolic signature of SARS-CoV-2 infection involving signs of multi-organ damage

Protein inhibitors neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture

Researchers review the role of macrophage activation syndrome in COVID-19

Computer-designed proteins protect lab-grown human cells from SARS-CoV-2

Study shows a new way to capture “live” images of immune cells inside the lungs

Researchers develop cellular roadmaps to predict the body’s susceptibility to coronavirus

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause severe abnormalities in the fetus

Researchers investigate cellular factors that could be significant for COVID-19 infection

Study shows cell surface proteins in placental tissue prevent COVID-19 transmission

Researchers develop new gene therapy for congenital blindness

Combined point-of-care nucleic acid and antibody test can speed up COVID-19 detection

Study reveals a successful strategy to fight influenza

Researchers identify an effective treatment for severe cases of COVID-19 infection

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