Add BrightSurf on Google Email

The first mouse strain that is susceptible to severe COVID-19 without genetic modification has been identified

Scientists at The Jackson Laboratory have identified the CAST/EiJ mouse as a highly susceptible model for studying severe COVID-19. This genetically pure background allows researchers to investigate the virus's impact without artificial receptor modifications, mirroring human responses. Initial trials using antiviral treatments show pr...

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2024

Cooking up a breakthrough: Penn engineers refine lipid nanoparticles for better mRNA therapies

Researchers at Penn School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new method to refine ionizable lipids, key ingredients in lipid nanoparticles. This approach combines precision with rapid output, enabling safer and more effective mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2024

Vaccine against the MERS coronavirus tested as safe and effective in phase Ib clinical trial

A phase Ib clinical trial has shown that the MVA-MERS-S vaccine candidate is safe and effective in healthy individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine was tested in a placebo-controlled study with no serious vaccine-related side effects, indicating promising results.

SourceGerman Center for Infection Research·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 21, 2024

LJI discovery paves the way for antivirals against Ebola virus and its deadly relatives

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have captured the first detailed images of the Ebola virus nucleocapsid structure, which is crucial for replicating in host cells. This breakthrough may accelerate the development of universal antivirals that target this viral structure to combat multiple filoviruses.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

While vaccines target the changing parts of coronavirus, researchers suggest it’s the unchanging parts we also need to pay attention to

A new study published in Microorganisms highlights the importance of small molecule drugs that target the unchanging parts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The research suggests that these stable targets could provide a consistent and reliable treatment option for COVID-19, even as vaccines are updated to address changing viral strains.

SourceCorewell Health·JournalMicroorganisms·DateSep 9, 2024

We're closer than ever to solving mystery of deadly virus

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have identified the protein complex that enables the hepatitis C virus to infect cells. This discovery is a significant step towards developing a vaccine against the disease, which causes chronic inflammation and 300,000 deaths annually worldwide. The study's results, published in Nature maga...

Uncovering the specialized immune cells that fight COVID-19

A team of researchers from Osaka University has pinpointed the B cells responsible for boosting COVID-19 immunity after vaccination. They found that activated atypical B cells are the main responders to mRNA vaccines, providing a new way to assess vaccine response and underlying biology.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2024

A step toward more effective vaccines

Researchers at Stanford University developed a nanoparticle platform to make vaccines more effective against various pathogens. The platform allows for the elicitation of different immune responses, enabling the identification of the most effective type of protection.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 7, 2024

Nasal COVID-19 vaccine halts transmission

Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a nasal COVID-19 vaccine that halted transmission in hamsters, showing promise for controlling respiratory infections. The vaccine targeted the virus's entry points in the nose and mouth, reducing viral replication and preventing spread.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2024

The next generation of RNA chips

A University of Vienna research team has developed a new generation of RNA building blocks for high-density microarrays, significantly reducing production time. This breakthrough enables faster synthesis and analysis of RNA molecules, opening up new opportunities for medical research and non-invasive diagnostics.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 31, 2024

George Mason University researchers lead breakthrough study to find functional cure for HIV

Researchers at George Mason University's Center for Infectious Disease Research have made a breakthrough in finding a functional cure for HIV. Using an HIV-like virus particle called HIV Rev-dependent lentiviral vector, the team was able to reduce viral reservoirs and boost the immune system to produce antiviral neutralizing antibodies.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalGene Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024