Articles tagged with Virology
Researchers have used cryo-ET to visualize the steps of rotavirus infection, from attachment to punching a hole in the cell membrane and ejecting its RNA. The study reveals that virus protein 7 is the key player in this process, making the membrane permeable to calcium ions.
This study identifies a diverse viral community in a rescued Naemorhedus griseus, including bacteriophages, plant-derived viruses, and mammalian viruses. The findings highlight the genetic diversity of Naemorhedus griseus-borne viruses and their transmission dynamics across humans, animals, and wildlife.
A new review highlights the need for integrated health systems to monitor biological, ecological, and institutional conditions to prevent global health risks. The review proposes an 'interface-resilience' model that brings together spillover pressure, microbial community stability, and governance connectivity to identify high-risk areas.
New studies from Georgia State University researchers provide critical insights into Powassan virus disease progression, immune responses, and long-term neurological damage. The research sheds light on the molecular mechanisms driving neurological damage and identifies key immune defense mechanisms.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered how SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF8 hijacks immune cells to cause hyperinflammation, leading to severe lung damage. Blocking ORF8 reduces lung inflammation and damage in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2, offering a promising new path for developing treatments.
Researchers found that PGK1 restricts viral replication by targeting a host chaperone required by multiple viruses, such as IAV, SeV, VSV, and HSV-1. This study expands the biological functions of a classic metabolic enzyme and reveals a link between cellular metabolism and antiviral defense.
Researchers have captured the step-by-step assembly of virus-like particles, revealing how simple molecular interactions can reliably build complex biological structures. The study provides a molecular-level view of how protein shells assemble, allowing for the design of novel antiviral treatments and vaccines.
Researchers have discovered how hedgehog coronaviruses invade host cells, highlighting their potential risk to animals like cats. The viruses are unlikely to infect humans without multiple genetic mutations, but their ability to infect other animals, including cats, is a concern.
Researchers found that exosomes from people with shingles pain caused nerve cells to remain inflamed and transmit pain signals even after the virus clears the body. This discovery opens the door to new approaches for predicting, preventing, and treating post-herpetic neuralgia.
Harvard chemists have developed a method to engineer the evolutionary landscape of viruses, pushing them away from high-risk variants and into evolutionary dead ends. The approach, called fitness landscape design, uses antibody combinations to suppress mutations and prevent the emergence of new viral strains.
Researchers have discovered a significant increase in blood viruses, including Anelloviridae, in gastric cancer patients, providing potential biomarkers for diagnosis. The study found that the virome is compartment-specific, with the gut virome showing increased diversity in cancer patients.
The symposium celebrated Dr. Lee Ho-wang's 50th anniversary of Hantaan virus discovery, reviewing its historical significance and future research directions. Key findings included the development of Hantavax, the world's first epidemic hemorrhagic fever vaccine, and strategies for infectious disease response.
Researchers developed a novel mosaic nanoparticle vaccine platform to overcome the mucus barrier challenge, inducing broad neutralizing effects against diverse coronaviruses. The approach breaks through respiratory physiological barriers to establish robust frontline defenses.
Researchers uncover the broad range of diseases caused by varicella zoster virus, including neurological and systemic issues, and highlight the need for better understanding and treatment of its manifestations. The virus can reactivate years after chickenpox and affect every organ, making diagnosis and treatment challenging.
A team of researchers found that SARS-CoV-2's 3CLpro protease can cleave and disable influenza virus's NP and PA proteins, leading to rapid protein degradation and cytoplasmic mislocalization. This mechanism may have contributed to the decline of influenza cases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enterovirus infections in children can lead to severe diseases, and current vaccines only cover certain serotypes. The review highlights the need for further research to expand preventive and therapeutic options. Rapid viral evolution complicates disease diagnosis and treatment.
A study by Goethe University and Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt has found that seminal fluid can facilitate infection of skin cells with the monkeypox virus. The researchers discovered that protein fragments in seminal fluid form fibers that promote attachment of the virus to human cells, increasing the risk of transmission through sexu...
The researcher will investigate how infected cells live and die, and what chemical signals they release to surrounding cells. This work could lead to better antiviral drugs and virus-based cancer treatments.
Researchers found that TMPRSS2 gene variants rs2070788 and rs12329760 are associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in Jordanian adults. The study identified rs2070788 as a marker for COVID-19 susceptibility and rs12329760 as a predictor of severe disease, while clinical covariates such as BMI and age also played a role.
A study published in Virologica Sinica identifies three candidate antiviral compounds that interfere with different stages of the chikungunya virus life cycle. The compounds, MDL-12330A, bazedoxifene acetate, and anidulafungin, show distinct antiviral profiles, suggesting that CHIKV infection can be inhibited through different mechanisms.
Scientists have identified multiple targets for antibodies that could treat Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a deadly virus spread by ticks. The research found that antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid protein offer protection against the virus, regardless of strain, and could lead to the development of new treatments.
Researchers found that alveolar type 2 cells mount slower interferon-driven antiviral defenses than type 1 cells, enabling higher viral replication in the alveoli. This study provides new insights into the primary site of influenza virus damage and opens up potential targets for antiviral therapy.
Researchers found that pre-existing antibodies influence B-cell responses to influenza vaccination in distinct ways. Individuals with higher baseline antibody levels exhibited increased frequencies of specific B-cell receptor features, while those with lower levels showed greater mutation levels and broader neutralizing activity.
A study found that coronaviruses hijack the host GBF1-ARF1-COPI pathway to utilize Golgi-derived membranes for promoting DMV formation. This mechanism was conserved across multiple coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and holds promise for therapeutic development against coronavirus infection.
Human norovirus, a leading cause of gastroenteritis, exhibits conformational changes in its capsid structure, influencing viral infectivity and immune evasion. The study's findings provide a new understanding of the virus's dynamics and may lead to the development of next-generation vaccines and antiviral therapies.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have made significant progress in understanding the causes of long COVID, focusing on changes in virus-specific immune cells. Specifically, they found that people with long COVID have distinctive changes in CD8 T cells, which are specialized to protect against specific viruses.
Researchers at Tulane University discovered that vesper bats have two distinct copies of genes producing antibodies, which helps them recognize and fight infections. This finding opens up new areas of study on the evolution of immunity and how animals respond to diseases.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to reconstruct COVID-19 spread in Dutch schools, showing that targeted closures can reduce hospital admissions. The study highlights the value of mathematical models for informing public health decisions during outbreaks.
Researchers developed a new way to uncover differences in how viruses infect and destroy individual microbial cells. The study used a mathematical modeling framework to analyze infection outcomes in individual cells, revealing striking accuracy and new insights into viral behavior.
Researchers uncover how a family of tick-borne viruses, known as orthonairoviruses, evade the immune system by manipulating cellular communication pathways. This study highlights a significant pandemic risk posed by these viruses and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance and preparedness.
The new viral ORFeome tool allows researchers to analyze many thousands of viral proteins in a single experiment, expanding access to biologists who didn't train in virology. It identifies hundreds of viral proteins that interfere with immune response, providing a powerful foundation for understanding emerging viral threats.
A new study discovered a previously unknown antiviral defense mechanism in sea anemones, revealing that animals may have evolved more than one way to fight viral infections. The findings suggest that fundamentally different antiviral strategies have emerged across the animal kingdom.
Researchers at Texas A&M University develop a laser technique called TRIP to directly measure quantum forces shaping proteins, enabling accurate prediction of how pharmaceutical drugs interact with them. This breakthrough could lead to the design of medicines tailored to specific diseases, revolutionizing precision medicine.
The Oropouche virus has infected over 9.4 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1960, with 5.5 million cases reported in Brazil alone. The disease causes fever and symptoms similar to dengue, leading to serious complications like meningitis and microcephaly.
Research at Ohio State University found that just 10 viral particles can cause H5N1 avian flu infection in cows. The study also suggests that the virus has an affinity for cow mammary glands rather than airways.
The center will develop new phage-based treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, predicting which phage to use for which patient and designing more effective phages. The goal is to generate unprecedented data and train AI models to identify the right phage for any patient's infection.
Researchers developed a miniaturized human intestine model to study EV-A71 infection, revealing the virus's ability to evade the immune system and persist for extended periods. The model showed long-term viral replication without triggering a strong immune response.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that dust can be used to track viral outbreaks in indoor settings. The team identified 54 distinct viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, using a novel sequencing technique. This method has the potential to provide quick and high-resolution insights into what is happening withi...
China lacks a dedicated regulatory framework for phage therapy, but recent policy signals encourage development of standards and approval pathways. A three-pillared approach recommends national quality guidelines, phase-appropriate GMP pilot programs, clear product classification, and regional centers with reimbursement mechanisms.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have characterized human antibodies capable of neutralizing measles virus. The new panel of human antibodies may form the basis for future medical therapies against measles infection, with a study showing a 500-fold lower viral load in a rodent model.
A new study found that influenza D viruses can vigorously replicate in human cells and lung tissue samples, suggesting a strong potential to spill over to humans. Researchers also detected antibodies against Influenza D in people who work with cattle, but no active human infection has been discovered to date.
Researchers developed a thin plastic film with ultra-fine structures that tear apart viruses on contact, killing them through mechanical force. The film offers a scalable and practical alternative to existing antiviral coatings.
Researchers at ExCELLS/NIPS successfully determined the capsid structure of Melbournevirus at 4.4 Å resolution using cryo-EM. The study's 'block-based reconstruction method' improved resolution, revealing detailed arrangement of proteins constituting the massive capsid.
The study provides new insight into how the tick-borne virus replicates and matures, with detailed three-dimensional images revealing the virus's interior. The researchers also observed how a small genetic difference between variants affects maturation speeds, paving the way for future treatments against TBE.
A new tool, HIV-seq, has been developed to profile rare HIV-infected cells from people with HIV. The tool has recovered and analyzed more HIV-infected cells and higher numbers of HIV RNA within those infected cells. The study has identified key differences in people's HIV-infected cells before versus after starting antiretroviral therapy.
Researchers found that quantifiable HBV RNA levels are associated with a significantly higher risk of HCC, independent of traditional risk factors. Chronic hepatitis B patients with concurrent liver dysfunction should be intensified under surveillance for HCC.
Viral transcription in poxviruses is controlled by a unique protein VITF-3 that acts as a molecular clamp. The study reveals the structural details of this process, including the role of the capping enzyme and the specific start signal recognition.
A single injection of an oncolytic virus recruits immune cells to penetrate and persist deep within brain tumors, inducing long-term infiltration of immune T cells. This therapy expands pre-existing T cells in the brain, leading to a therapeutic benefit for patients with glioblastoma.
A new nanovaccine platform utilizes bacterial lipidation to enhance mucosal immune response against viruses. The lipoSC-RBDST nanovaccine elicits robust secretory IgA and lung-resident memory T cells, providing long-lasting immunity for at least eight months.
A study analyzing bat samples from the Indochina Peninsula identified 137 viral strains across 27 families, including novel species, with Rhinolophidae bats exhibiting high viral diversity. PEDV-related viruses were found in Cambodian bats, further supporting their potential evolutionary source.
A study in the Indochina Peninsula analyzed bat viromes from 197 bats across 16 species, identifying 137 viral strains, including a PEDV-related virus in Cambodian bats. The findings highlight critical surveillance gaps and emphasize the need for enhanced cross-border initiatives to prevent zoonotic outbreaks.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals the Epstein-Barr virus can damage the brain and contribute to multiple sclerosis through molecular mimicry. The researchers found that cross-reactive T cells are significantly more common in people with MS, and targeting these cells may lead to new treatments.
Researchers discover giant virus that infects amoeba, providing further support for nuclear virus origin hypothesis. The new virus, ushikuvirus, has distinct features and unique caps on its surface, which may hold clues to the evolution of complex cells.
A new study published in JAMA Oncology found that the HPV vaccine can protect against severe precancerous lesions of the vulva and vagina. Vaccination before the age of 17 offers the strongest protection, with a 55% lower risk compared to unvaccinated women.
A study from UMBC reveals a conserved RNA-protein interaction as a promising target for broad-spectrum enterovirus antivirals. The researchers found that a fusion protein called 3CD recruits proteins to assemble the replication complex, and targeting this interface could lead to universal drugs.
Researchers have identified two previously unknown circoviruses in short-finned pilot whales and orcas from the Caribbean region of the North Atlantic Ocean. The newly discovered viruses, named shofin circovirus and orcin circovirus, represent a distinct clade within the genus Circovirus.
A study found that viral interactions inside cells influence antiviral resistance outcomes, while a less potent drug may ironically improve its future utility by promoting social interactions in viruses. The researchers suggest a trade-off between hitting the virus hard and allowing resistance to rise.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center are using a human brain-on-a-chip system to study lethal encephalitis viruses and develop treatments. The chip replicates the function of the human brain, allowing scientists to test antiviral drugs in a more accurate and human-like environment.
Researchers at EMBL-EBI developed SPRTA, an interpretable and efficient way to score the reliability of each branch in a phylogenetic tree. This method enables fast and reliable understanding of virus strain evolution, informing better decisions during outbreaks.
Researchers have discovered that human astroviruses bind to a protein in human cells called the neonatal Fc receptor. The study provides a key target for vaccine development and repurposing of existing treatments.