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Novel pseudo-virion probes to study SARS-CoV-2 viral entry
The non-infectious quantum dot probes are designed to enable researchers to safely study interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein and human cells.
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Covid-19
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Could FDA-approved drug heparin prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection?
SARS-CoV-2 entry into human cells is dependent on heparan sulfate and disrupting this interaction using heparin reduces infectivity of the coronavirus, find scientists.
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Drug target to combat three coronavirus diseases identified by researchers
Researchers studying the PLpro binding site of three coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, say the BL2 loop could be targeted by antiviral drugs.
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Novel antiviral drug candidate blocks SARS-CoV-2 reproduction in cells
In human cells, a drug candidate called PF-00835231 has demonstrated success at blocking the reproduction of SARS-CoV-2.
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COVID-19 therapies in the pipeline
As the global COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing, staying abreast with the latest news can be challenging. In this article, Sheraz Gul provides an overview of the broad range of potential treatments in development and discusses how the regulatory landscape can shift at any time.
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Tiny antibody component could treat or prevent SARS-CoV-2
The component, now developed into a drug called Ab8, was highly effective at treating and preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in animal models.
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Understanding the limits of synthetic biology through the origins of SARS-CoV-2
Conspiracy theories about COVID-19 have been spreading since the early days of the outbreak. But how do we know whether a biological entity is artificially made or has occurred naturally? Marc Baiget Francesch explores the capabilities of current scientific approaches in terms of virus engineering and how this applies to…
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Exploring the intra-protein non-covalent interactions in the S1 domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S1 Spike protein
The Spike (S) protein is a promising drug target in the quest to develop vaccines and antivirals for SARS-CoV-2 to treat and prevent COVID-19. Intra-protein interaction energy landscape mapping efforts have recently identified key interactions that may be crucial for the S protein’s ability to bind to receptor proteins on…
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NGS: offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against COVID-19
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become the method of choice for many researchers responding to infectious disease outbreaks and in the present coronavirus pandemic. Here, Pushpanathan Muthuirulan discusses the potential of NGS for rapid diagnosis and explores some of the emerging high-throughput approaches using NGS as a readout for the detection…
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Powering forward – Genomics England’s COVID-19 response
Genomics England has launched a next-generation genomic research platform that will play a key role in the response to COVID-19. It is hoped this research environment will transform how genomic data is made usable for global biopharma and academic scientists, providing world‑class patient data security, while enabling the flexibility required…
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Tool to track SARS-CoV-2 mutations could inform drug development
A new tool called COVID-3D that monitors SARS-CoV-2 genome mutations could aid drug and vaccine development, its creators say.
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Researchers capture images of cells infected with SARS-CoV-2
Using scanning electron microscopy, researchers have captured images of epithelial cell cultures infected by SARS-CoV-2.
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Two drug candidates show promise against COVID-19 in organoid system
Following their success in organoid systems, two drug candidates are now to be administered to ferrets and tested against COVID-19.
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Antibody therapeutics for COVID-19
In 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus sparked a global pandemic that is likely to continue into 2021. Effective therapeutics that treat the symptoms of the disease and prevent or treat the underlying viral infection are critically required. To meet this need, the global biopharmaceutical industry is evaluating over 50 monoclonal antibody…
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Treatments for macrophage activation syndrome could reduce COVID-19 mortality
Researchers suggest possible therapies for macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a feature of cytokine storm and a major cause of death in severe COVID-19 patients.