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.

Study may lead to new therapeutic approaches against coronaviruses

The immune system secretes an endogenous protein that can strongly suppress coronaviruses, the pathogen that is responsible for causing the current pandemic.

29 Jul 2020

Multiomics analysis reveals multiple characteristics of HIV-1-producing cells in vivo

For eradication of HIV-1 infection, it is important to elucidate the detailed features and heterogeneity of HIV-1-infected cells in vivo.

29 Jul 2020

Supercomputer analyses point to a new pathway for COVID-19 inflammatory response

Analyses of lung fluid cells from COVID-19 patients conducted on a supercomputer point to patterns that may explain the body's response to SARS-CoV-2.

29 Jul 2020

Scientists discover evolutionary lineage of SARS-CoV-2 virus

By reconstructing the evolutionary history of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, an international research team of Chinese, European and U.S. scientists has discovered that the lineage that gave rise to the virus has been circulating in bats for decades and likely includes other viruses with the ability to infect humans.

29 Jul 2020

Testing COVID-19 with FDA-approved drugs can improve outcomes for affected patients

A protein found in viruses that are responsible for causing SARS and COVID-19 infections is virtually identical.

29 Jul 2020

Novel label-free imaging method can differentiate between quiescent and activated T cells

T cells are the immune soldiers at the frontlines of the battle with infiltrating pathogens that seek to cause disease. A new study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering describes a novel label-free imaging technique that can differentiate active T cells from those off duty.

28 Jul 2020

EBV viral genome modifies the host epigenetic landscape to promote gastric cancer

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the most common human viruses, is associated with about 8-10 per cent of stomach -- or gastric -- cancers, the third leading cause of cancer death globally.

28 Jul 2020

Heparin blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell studies

In a test of antiviral effectiveness against the virus that causes COVID-19, an extract from edible seaweeds substantially outperformed remdesivir, the current standard antiviral used to combat the disease.

27 Jul 2020

Research identifies TLR7 gene that predisposes individuals to severe COVID-19

Current observations suggest that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes severe symptoms mainly in elderly patients with chronic disease.

27 Jul 2020

Experimental mRNA-based vaccine protects animals against SARS-CoV-2

An experimental messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) elicits protective immune responses in mice and non-human primates, researchers report on July 23rd in the journal Cell.

27 Jul 2020

Coronavirus changes structure that prevents cells from detecting it

With an alarm code, we can enter a building without bells going off. It turns out that the SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has the same advantage entering cells. It possesses the code to waltz right in.

24 Jul 2020

Humans are mutating SARS-CoV-2, but natural selection enables the virus to bounce back

Scientists investigating the evolution of the virus that causes Covid19 say that its mutation seems to be directed by human proteins that degrade it, but natural selection of the virus enables it to bounce back. The findings could help in the design of vaccines against the virus.

From University of Bath 23 Jul 2020

New pathways that could help treat RNA viruses discovered

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have identified new pathways in an RNA-based virus where inhibitors, like medical treatments, unbind.

23 Jul 2020

Study explains the compatibility of bacteria and virus in the human gut

The proverb “all things in moderation” holds good not only for food and drink but also for the cluster of microorganisms found inside the human gut.

22 Jul 2020

Edible coating made with green tea extract kills microbes

Infusing prepared foods with an edible coating that contains green tea extract may lower consumers' chances of catching the highly contagious norovirus by eating contaminated food, new research suggests.

22 Jul 2020

Researchers comprehensively describe the 'human tissue virome atlas'

Human-resident microbes can influence both health and disease. Investigating the microbiome using next-generation sequencing technology has revealed examples of mutualism and conflict between microbes and humans.

22 Jul 2020

Hybrid virus infects cells, interacts with antibodies just like COVID-19 virus

Airborne and potentially deadly, the virus that causes COVID-19 can only be studied safely under high-level biosafety conditions.

22 Jul 2020

New tools developed to test the ability of antibodies to neutralize SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at The Rockefeller University in New York have developed new tools to rapidly test the ability of antibodies to neutralize SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

22 Jul 2020

Advanced cryo-EM reveals stunning details of viral RNA replication complex structure

For the first time, scientists at the Morgridge Institute for Research have generated near atomic resolution images of a major viral protein complex responsible for replicating the RNA genome of a member of the positive-strand RNA viruses, the large class of viruses that includes coronaviruses and many other pathogens.

21 Jul 2020

UC Davis Health tests new antibody combination as potential treatment for COVID-19

Timothy Albertson, chair of internal medicine and specialist in pulmonary and critical care, is leading efforts at UC Davis Health to test a new antibody cocktail (REGN-COV2) as a prevention and treatment for COVID-19.

From The University of California, Davis 21 Jul 2020

Virus News and Research

Study may lead to new therapeutic approaches against coronaviruses

Multiomics analysis reveals multiple characteristics of HIV-1-producing cells in vivo

Supercomputer analyses point to a new pathway for COVID-19 inflammatory response

Scientists discover evolutionary lineage of SARS-CoV-2 virus

Testing COVID-19 with FDA-approved drugs can improve outcomes for affected patients

Novel label-free imaging method can differentiate between quiescent and activated T cells

EBV viral genome modifies the host epigenetic landscape to promote gastric cancer

Heparin blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell studies

Research identifies TLR7 gene that predisposes individuals to severe COVID-19

Experimental mRNA-based vaccine protects animals against SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus changes structure that prevents cells from detecting it

Humans are mutating SARS-CoV-2, but natural selection enables the virus to bounce back

New pathways that could help treat RNA viruses discovered

Study explains the compatibility of bacteria and virus in the human gut

Edible coating made with green tea extract kills microbes

Researchers comprehensively describe the 'human tissue virome atlas'

Hybrid virus infects cells, interacts with antibodies just like COVID-19 virus

New tools developed to test the ability of antibodies to neutralize SARS-CoV-2

Advanced cryo-EM reveals stunning details of viral RNA replication complex structure

UC Davis Health tests new antibody combination as potential treatment for COVID-19

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