Articles tagged with Viral Vectors
Researchers aim to develop a gene therapy that could suppress HIV replication and eliminate the need for life-long antiretroviral therapy. The study uses an AAV vector to produce leronlimab, a monoclonal antibody blocking HIV entry into immune cells.
Researchers found dengue and Zika viruses increase acetophenone production in infected hosts, making them more attractive to mosquitoes. Treatment with acne medication reduces this effect, potentially mitigating virus spread.
The article reports on the rapid transmission of monkeypox in Europe, with cases detected in Italy, Portugal, the UK, and Australia. Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed, particularly in sexual networks, raising concerns about the virus's epidemiology and control.
A study reveals that wild duck, gull, goose, and poultry species play a crucial role in the global spread of bird flu. Ecological divergence among these species contributes to spillover events.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that mRNA vaccines show better protection against COVID-19 variants compared to viral vector vaccines. The research, conducted among healthcare workers, revealed higher neutralizing antibody responses in mRNA vaccine recipients against VOCs, including Omicron.
Researchers developed a model to identify vulnerable geographic areas for Wolbachia-carrying mosquito release, maximizing protection against dengue. The approach prioritizes areas with the greatest vulnerability, allowing targeted interventions.
A phase I clinical trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of a novel adeno-associated viral vector-based treatment for HIV, producing measurable amounts of a broadly neutralizing antibody. The treatment showed wide-ranging clinical implications for potentially preventing or treating HIV and other infections.
Scientists are working on understanding the interplay between flaviviruses and mitochondria in hopes of finding new treatment options. By deciphering this process, researchers may be able to find broad-spectrum therapeutic targets for diseases like Zika, dengue, and West Nile.
A novel bed net treated with chlorfenapyr has been shown to significantly reduce malaria infection in children, with a 43% decrease in the first year and 37% decrease in the second year. The study found that the bed net reduced clinical episodes of malaria by 44% over two years.
A novel surgical approach and synthetic viral vector Anc80L65 successfully delivered genetic cargo to the inner ear of nonhuman primates, paving the way for a potential treatment for hearing loss and vestibular disorders. The study's findings suggest that this method could be translated to humans.
Researchers at the University of Bologna have developed a new targeted cancer therapy based on a genetically modified phage that selectively eliminates tumour cells. The virus is engineered to transport a drug activated by light to target tumour cells, reducing side effects.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have discovered that certain flavonoids inhibit an enzyme involved in the formation of a key insect hormone in the yellow fever mosquito. Flavonoids, found in plants and other organisms, also show larvicidal activity against mosquitoes.
Scientists successfully produced SARS-CoV-2 protein fragments linked to bacterial flagellin in plants, enabling high-yield production and scalable vaccine development. This novel approach could make vaccines cheaper and more convenient.
Researchers will use transcriptomics and chemogenetics to identify molecular targets for pain management. The project aims to advance knowledge on pain mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
A study published in PNAS reveals that dengue-infected mosquitoes are more attracted to mammals and bite more often, increasing disease transmission chances. The research found that infected mosquitoes have difficulty locating blood vessels for feeding, leading to increased biting attempts and transmission events.
Researchers used new technology to study Grapevine Pinot gris virus propagation in a specific vineyard in France. The study found that over 75% of tested plants became infected between 2014 and 2015, with only a marginal number of grapevines testing positive during the remaining five years.
Researchers developed a non-muscle targeted gene therapy that enhances muscle fiber repair and improves muscle function in LGMD 2B patients. The treatment, administered via a single injection, reduces muscle degeneration and restores myofiber size and muscle strength.
The University of Ottawa's CoVaRR-Net has received a $9 million grant extension to continue its rapid research on COVID variants, including the Omicron variant. This renewed funding will allow researchers to accelerate their work and keep policymakers informed of their latest findings.
A new study found that host immunity drives the evolution of the dengue virus, causing it to adapt and change over time. The research, published in Science, analyzed genetic variation and immune signatures of dengue viruses isolated in Bangkok over a 20-year period.
A novel gene therapy has shown sustained expression of clotting factor VIII, leading to a reduction or complete elimination of bleeding events in patients with hemophilia A. The trial demonstrated improved production of coagulation factor VIII over prolonged periods.
A novel computational platform called scAAVengr uses single-cell RNA sequencing to quickly evaluate viral vectors for delivering gene therapies to the retina with maximum efficiency and precision. This approach saves time and resources by identifying suitable candidates that can deliver therapy to affected parts of the retina accurately.
A study at Stockholm University has discovered a novel, eco-friendly feeding trap that can be deployed to control mosquito populations. The trap uses a beetroot-based mix with added toxins, which attracts and kills female mosquitoes, while leaving male mosquitoes unaffected.
Researchers at University of Queensland discover koala retrovirus is transmitted from mother to joey through close proximity, highlighting a significant threat to wild koala populations. This finding may lead to re-thinked conservation plans and the use of antiretroviral treatment to prevent transmission.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a system that can fine-tune protein expression from gene therapy vectors, addressing the need for controlled dosing. The 'dimmer switch' uses alternative RNA splicing and an orally available small molecule to adjust levels of expression up or down as needed.
A team of researchers from the University of Freiburg has developed a new technology that enables controlled introduction of target genes into individual selected cells. They achieved this by introducing genetic information with an optical remote control, allowing only cells illuminated with red light to take up desired genes.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a proof-of-concept treatment that can elevate adult and fetal hemoglobin levels simultaneously. The approach combines two tactics into a single gene therapy vector, which has shown promising results in vitro.
Researchers are exploring SARS-COV-2 proteins as potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19. The review highlights the viral proteins' role in replication, structure, and interaction with host cells.
Researchers have developed improved gene vectors for ocular gene therapy, allowing for widespread delivery and reducing risks associated with traditional approaches. These vectors are being tested in clinical trials and have shown promise in restoring daylight vision in animal models of achromatopsia.
A research team from Leibniz-IZW found that water can be a vector for spreading mammalian viruses, with equine herpesviruses (EHV) remaining stable and infectious in water. The study suggests that viral stability in restricted freshwater sources enables their spread among animals, particularly during times of stress and congregation.
Researchers used artificial intelligence to generate a large library of distinct AAV capsid variants, achieving a 60% viable yield. This approach overcomes the limitation of current vectors and expands the number of diseases treatable with gene therapies.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia developed a new gene therapy vector that produces more hemoglobin with a lower dose, minimizing toxic side effects. The vector, ALS20, was found to be significantly more effective than current vectors in treating beta-globinopathies.
In a groundbreaking study, gene therapy injection in one eye significantly improved vision in both eyes, with 78% of patients experiencing significant visual improvement. The treatment has shown promise in treating Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), a blinding condition affecting approximately 1 in 30,000 people.
Researchers from University of Helsinki developed Lazypipe to identify both known and novel viruses, demonstrating its efficacy in detecting SARS-CoV-2 without reference genome. The pipeline overcomes challenges in viral metagenomics, enabling rapid detection of emerging infectious diseases.
Recent studies report increased risk of rAAV mobilization in gene therapy, raising concerns for treated individuals and unintended populations. The research highlights the potential for rAAV vector production to replicate under certain conditions.
A team of scientists has developed a unique COVID-19 vaccine that utilizes a bovine adenovirus as a safe and effective delivery vehicle. The vaccine aims to provide protection to all segments of the population, especially older adults with declining immune systems.
Researchers at Children's Medical Research Institute have discovered a reason behind the low success rate of gene therapy targeting liver diseases using Adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2). The team found that AAV2 binds too tightly to its attachment receptor, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, which leads to the vector getting
A new approach to deep brain stimulation using light-sensitive proteins and harmless viruses could provide a minimally invasive treatment option for brain disorders. The technique has shown promise in reducing symptoms of Parkinson's disease by targeting non-neuronal brain cells.
Researchers successfully used optogenetics to induce arm movements in Japanese macaque monkeys by activating specific neuronal cells. This breakthrough study opens doors for future optogenetic studies and potential clinical applications in human patients.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a gene therapy approach to convert lab mice into models of COVID-19. This tool allows researchers to rapidly test treatments and vaccines, including poly I:C, convalescent plasma, and remdesivir, which prevented weight loss and lung disease in infected mice.
A research team from Genethon has successfully inhibited the immune response induced by AAV antibodies, paving the way for repeated administration of gene therapy treatments. This breakthrough could enable treatment of rare genetic diseases and improve patient outcomes.
A new study highlights the emergence of mosquito-borne viral outbreaks in West Africa, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. The research emphasizes the need for early warning systems and control measures to prevent infectious outbreaks.
The disease-causing virus BYDV manipulates its host plant and aphid vector to create warmer regions for feeding, increasing the vector's heat tolerance. This allows certain aphids to thrive in warmer conditions, posing implications for crop health as the global climate warms.
A team at Massachusetts Eye and Ear has identified GPR108, a G protein-coupled receptor, as a molecular 'lock' necessary for most adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to gain access to cells. This discovery may enable scientists to better explain, predict, and ultimately direct AAV gene transfers to specific tissues.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic tested a new injection method for delivering gene therapy vectors directly into the kidney, outperforming traditional intravenous injections. The study found that direct injections were superior to intravenous injections and had fewer off-target effects.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have developed a new and improved viral vector that can deliver therapeutic genes more efficiently than conventional vectors. The new vector shows promising results in animal models, with up to 10 times higher efficiency and six times higher carrying capacity.
Researchers at UW-Madison have developed tiny customizable nanocapsules to deliver gene-editing payloads, reducing the risk of unintended genetic edits. The nanocapsules are expected to improve the efficiency and safety of gene therapies, potentially treating inherited diseases and stubborn viral infections.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers have developed a new AAV vector screening method that captures the full range of gene expression patterns caused by AAV vectors. This innovative technique is expected to significantly advance the field of gene therapy by providing a more sensitive approach to detecting gene transfer sites.
Recent advances suggest that plant viruses are not just disease-causing entities, but can also play a significant role in the functioning of diverse ecosystems. Viruses have been found to be present in humans, with around 100,000 pieces of viral DNA elements making up 8% of our genome.
Researchers identified a gene, SPI-1, that restricts the replication of modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) in human cells. Reintroducing SPI-1 into MVA or host cells increased virus spread by over 100-fold, providing insight into host-range restriction mechanisms.
Pennsylvania's tick population has shifted significantly over the past century, from Ixodes cookei to Ixodes scapularis, with climate change and habitat loss contributing to these changes. The dominant species is now linked to Lyme disease, highlighting the importance of robust surveillance and analysis of historical data.
Researchers developed a novel recombinant vaccine called NIPRAB that shows strong immunization against Nipah virus in animal models. The live vaccine is safe in mice, eliciting a strong antibodies response and reacting to similar viruses like Hendra and Rabies.
Newer versions of gene therapy cassettes deliver better performance, increasing muscle strength and protecting against contraction-induced injuries in animal models. The treatment, micro-dystrophin, has been restructured to enhance its functionality.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have identified a potential Zika vaccine that induces strong T-cell responses and substantial protection without producing antibodies. This breakthrough could be a 'huge leap' for immunology, potentially overcoming the obstacle of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of disease.
Researchers at Kiel University will develop next-generation gene therapies for cardiovascular disease using AAV vectors, aiming to improve treatment approaches and reduce vascular inflammation in conditions like atherosclerosis. The project aims to translate experimental treatments into clinical applications.
A new study reveals that Anopheles mosquitoes, including species found in the US, can carry and transmit Mayaro virus, which causes fever, joint aches, and other symptoms. The researchers tested six mosquito species and found that all four Anopheles species were competent laboratory vectors of the virus.
Using a dataset of over 500 single-stranded RNA viruses, researchers developed a model that can predict animal reservoirs and arthropod vectors directly from viral genome sequences. This approach enables faster evaluation than existing methods, which often require years, and could aid in rapid response to emerging infectious diseases.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that viral vectors used in gene therapy undergo spontaneous changes during manufacturing, affecting their structure and function. The team has developed new ways to prevent these changes, leading to more efficient and safer delivery of gene therapies.
Scientists have developed a novel gene therapy that effectively reduces rhodopsin production and prevents photoreceptor death in dogs with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. The treatment, which combines shRNA interference with a replacement gene, shows promise for slowing or preventing vision loss in humans.
Researchers discovered that a weaker immune response activation triggers the replacement of one dengue virus lineage by another, despite lower multiplication rates. This finding has significant implications for vaccine development and understanding viral interactions with the human population.
A new carrier to transfer genes into plants has enabled crop scientists to study traits and diseases in wheat and maize more quickly and easily. The Foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV) has overcome limitations of existing carriers, allowing for the expression of a wide range of proteins in host plants.