0 Is the new strain of SARS-CoV-2 more infectious than the last?
Researchers have identified a specific change in the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus spike protein that may increase its transmission, making it more infectious in cell culture.
Browsing: Basic > Genetics / Genomics
0 COVID-19 research round-up: June
This month’s top COVID-19 research articles include several studies citing the benefits of facemasks, as well as research investigating adaptive immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and a genome-wide study exploring COVID-19 severity.
0 A peek behind the paper – Wenqing Jiang on the application of evolutionary theories to SARS-CoV-2
Take a peek behind the scenes of a recent article published by Future Virology, titled ‘Pros and cons of the application…
0 Adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 differ with HLA genetic variation
Scientists have investigated the genetic variation in immunity against seven viruses including the SARS-COV-2. The results reveal some HLA variants that may provide the most effective immune response to the viruses.
0 Researchers repurpose cancer immunotherapy tools for COVID-19 vaccine research
Researchers have repurposed cancer immunotherapy tools to identify regions of SARS-CoV-2 to target with a vaccine. They believe the use of this strategy could help develop a vaccine that provides long-term protection from COVID-19.
0 Smoking linked to increased expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptor
Researchers have demonstrated that cigarette smoke causes an increased expression of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, in the lungs. This suggests that individuals who smoke could be more susceptible to severe SARS-CoV-2 infections.
0 Pangolins: the missing link in coronavirus transmission?
There has been much contention regarding how the deadly COVID-19 pandemic originated. The first reported case of the disease was in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). The virus – SARS-CoV-2 – is believed to have been passed from animals to humans, but new data reveals pangolins could be linked to COVID-19 transmission.
0 Competence-inhibiting drugs may prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance
Novel research suggests that some drugs may prevent the acquisition of resistance genes by preventing the induction of bacterial ‘competence’.
0 Precision medicine: Hippocratic meets informatics
Take a look a this overview of precision medicine; the concept, benefits, road blocks and what the future might hold.
0 Precision medicine in sepsis: where do we begin?
This opinion piece looks at the impact a precision (or personalized) medicine approach could have in sepsis, including early and accurate microbiologic diagnosis, determining the host immune response signature and assessing individual response to treatment.
