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The first line of vaccines was highly effective at restricting COVID-19’s damage, according to a new Concordia study

The primary COVID-19 vaccines provided adequate protection against transmission, hospitalization, and death, but their effectiveness waned in the face of the Omicron variant. The study found that vaccines developed prior to Omicron's emergence were 83% effective against infection at baseline, but this decreased to 47% by 40 weeks.

SourceConcordia University·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 13, 2023

One of first studies to assess new bivalent Covid-19 booster vaccine shows it is highly effective in reducing deaths and hospitalizations

A new study found that the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine reduced hospitalization and death risks by 72% and 68%, respectively, in adults aged 65 years and older. The study highlights the importance of bivalent booster vaccination in high-risk populations.

UM School of Medicine researchers chart path forward on developing mRNA vaccines for infections beyond COVID-19

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are using mRNA vaccine technology to combat various infectious diseases. A new clinical trial aims to test an mRNA-based vaccine against malaria, with hopes for a rapid adaptive response to virus evolution and the manufacture of combination vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 23, 2023

Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University researchers find that new approach to boosting protein production could advance mRNA and protein-based medicines

A new approach to boosting protein production has been discovered, which could lead to the generation of a universal booster for protein production. The breakthrough centers on Exin21, a sequence that increases mRNA synthesis and stability and protein expression and secretion.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateFeb 20, 2023

Covid vaccination in pregnancy protects infants against infection and hospital admission

A recent study published by The BMJ found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy may have benefits for both mother and baby. Two doses of mRNA Covid-19 vaccine were highly effective against delta infection, while two doses against omicron infection showed moderate effectiveness. A third dose during pregnancy also bolstered protecti...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 8, 2023

Mice show METTL in DNA blood repair

Researchers at Kyoto University discovered METTL16's role in DNA repair and erythropoiesis, a process generating 200 billion new red blood cells daily. Tiny methyl groups on specific mRNAs play a pivotal role in this process, involving mechanisms mediated by RNA-binding proteins.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2022

Nerve cell discovery may lead to better treatment for diseases of the nervous system

Scientists at King's College London and the University of Bath have made a groundbreaking discovery about a molecule that plays a crucial role in nerve cell development. The study found that this molecule, known as SNRNP70, is not only present in the nucleus but also in the cytoplasm of nerve cells, where it shapes messenger RNA strand...

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2022

Efficient mRNA delivery by branched lipids

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a novel branched ionizable lipid that significantly increases the efficiency of mRNA delivery by LNPs. The new lipid, CL4F 8-6, was found to enhance protein expression in mice and achieve stable formulations.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalSmall Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2022

Oncotarget | Predictive molecular biomarkers for determining neoadjuvant chemosensitivity in muscle invasive bladder cancer

A study using mRNA and miRNA expression profiles identified molecular signatures that can differentiate muscle invasive bladder cancer patients who respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy from those who do not. The research found distinct gene pathways and subtypes associated with response, which may lead to more effective treatment delivery.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 8, 2022

Cancer patients treated with immunotherapy can safely receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, according to JNCCN study

Researchers analyzed 408 patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and found no increased risk of side effects from receiving both immunotherapy and the vaccine. The study supports NCCN's recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in people with cancer, citing strong protection against severe COVID-19 for all variants.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateOct 17, 2022

Commander in the cell's production room

A research team from Würzburg has discovered a crucial mechanism in cellular growth, showing how cells regulate protein production and keep a reserve of ribosomal proteins to quickly respond to changing conditions. This finding may also shed light on the deregulation of signaling networks in different types of cancer.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2022

COVID-19: Boosting with an mRNA vaccine offers better protection in people who received two doses of CoronaVac

A large observational study in Brazil found that mRNA boosting offers considerably better protection against COVID-19 than inactivated CoronaVac boosting, particularly among elderly individuals. The findings have immediate implications for guiding boosting strategies in countries where most of the population received inactivated vaccines.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 6, 2022

ASU scientists discover dual-function messenger RNA

Researchers have discovered a new pathway for producing telomerase RNA from protein-coding messenger RNA, offering potential innovations in mRNA vaccines and understanding of telomere biology. This finding has implications for reversing cellular aging and extending human lifespan.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2022

Oregon State researchers develop messenger RNA therapy for ovarian cancer, muscle wasting

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a promising messenger RNA therapy for ovarian cancer, which also shows promise in treating cachexia, a muscle-wasting condition associated with cancer. The treatment uses lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA that triggers the production of the follistatin protein within cancer clusters.

SourceOregon State University·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2022

Regulation is the name of the game

A new study by Kyoto University found that Regnase-1 gene expression is low in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), mirroring the pathology of humans. The protein's mRNA degradation leads to PAH inhibition, offering a potential new treatment for heart failure and premature death.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCirculation·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2022

Plants reprogram their cells to fight invaders. Here's how

Researchers have discovered the key components in plant cells that trigger 'wartime' protein production in response to pathogens. This mechanism allows plants to rapidly produce defense proteins while balancing resources between growth and defense, a delicate process that could inform strategies for creating disease-resistant crops.

SourceDuke University·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2022

Whole blood RNA profiling of severe COVID-19 cases

A study by Osaka University researchers comprehensively analyzed mRNA and microRNA expression patterns in the blood of patients with severe COVID-19, revealing specific mRNAs and microRNAs associated with the immune response pathway. The findings suggest that interferon-β plays a crucial role in COVID-19 severity.

SourceOsaka University·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·TypeObservational study·DateAug 24, 2022

New imaging technique allows researchers to see gene expression in brains of live mice in real time

A new imaging technique allows scientists to study mRNA molecules in the brains of living mice, revealing insights into how memories are formed and stored. The research could provide new information about diseases like Alzheimer's and help understand the process of memory generation and retrieval.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2022

How to find marker genes in cell clusters

A new statistical method called Association Plot facilitates the determination and analysis of marker genes in single-cell data. This allows researchers to trace back RNA molecules to their cell of origin, providing insights into cell-type specific genes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Molecular Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 6, 2022