Light-Activated PCR Assay
Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in Germany have developed a light-activated form of the enzymes that power the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The assay has gained recent fame among the general public because of its use as a COVID-19 diagnostic tool. The technique could lead to alternatives to current heat-activated enzymes, which are difficult to design and create, and are not suitable for enzymes that are easily damaged by high temperatures. The method may help to expand the scope of what is possible with PCR.
PCR has been around for quite a while, but recently we have come to rely heavi...
Source: Medgadget - December 22, 2021 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Genetics PCR Source Type: blogs
Therapeutic Fusion Protein Inhibits SARS-CoV-2
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich in Germany have developed a new protein therapeutic against SARS-CoV-2. Unlike previously developed antibody therapies and vaccines, the virus is very unlikely to be able to circumvent this latest technology through mutation, as it is based on the viral target site in the body, the ACE2 receptor. The technology consists of the ACE2 protein, which the researchers have fused with a fragment of a human antibody to ensure that it remains stable for longer in the body. Once administered, viral particles will bind to the fusion protein within the body, preventing them from bindin...
Source: Medgadget - December 21, 2021 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Medicine Public Health Source Type: blogs
Test Detects SARS-CoV-2 in Breath, May Work as COVID Alarm in Enclosed Spaces
Researchers at Brown University have developed a breath test for COVID-19. The breathalyzer, which they have termed the Bubbler, consists of a tube that someone blows into for fifteen seconds. The tube contains a mix of enzymes that reverse transcribe the RNA in viral particles into DNA, which allows for a subsequent benchtop PCR test.
Breathalyzers were bathed in UV light to maintain sterile field prior to construction of kits prepared for the clinical trial at Rhode Island Hospital. Top image: Bubbler kits were processed in a negative pressure bench top box to prevent contamination of amplicon particles in the labora...
Source: Medgadget - December 20, 2021 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Genetics Public Health brown university Source Type: blogs
TWiV 841: Unmasking immunity
TWiV provides an update on immunity to Omicron, results of a randomized controlled trial of face masks, and a study of correlates of protection against respiratory syncytial virus infection in the upper and lower respiratory tract of nonhuman primates. Click arrow to playDownload TWiV 841 (63 MB .mp3, 105 min)Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv (Source: virology blog)
Source: virology blog - December 15, 2021 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: This Week in Virology coronavirus COVID-19 face mask immune correlate of protection Omicron pandemic respiratory syncytial virus SARS-CoV-2 viral viruses Source Type: blogs
TWiV 840: COVID-19 clinical update #92 with Dr. Daniel Griffin
In COVID-19 clinical update #92, Dr. Griffin reviews emerging data on the Omicron variant, much information about monoclonal antibody treatment, including expansion of EUA for Lilly’s cocktail, FDA EUA for pre-exposure prophylaxis, outcomes after treatment, and investigation of subcutaneous or intramuscular administration; effect of adding immunomodulatory agents to usual care on thromboembolic events, and long […] (Source: virology blog)
Source: virology blog - December 15, 2021 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: This Week in Virology antiviral coronavirus COVID-19 inflammation Long Covid monoclonal antibody pandemic SARS-CoV-2 vaccine vaccine booster variant of concern viruses Source Type: blogs
Soft X-Ray Tomography for Quick 3D Imaging of Cell Organelles
Researchers at Heidelberg University in Germany used an imaging technique called soft X-ray tomography to obtain highly detailed 3D images of the interior of cells, including changes that occur when the cell is infected with SARS-CoV-2. The approach can provide a high-resolution 3D image in minutes, which is much faster than other microscopy techniques that achieve a similar level of detail.
Imaging technology is constantly improving, and our corresponding understanding of the inner workings of our cells is increasing. From identifying what happens when SARS-CoV-2 enters a cell to developing new treatments for cancer, b...
Source: Medgadget - December 14, 2021 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Pathology Radiology Source Type: blogs
Top 10 Healthcare Artificial Intelligence News Of 2021
As 2021 is about to wrap up, we are reflecting on some of the most important news revolving around artificial intelligence (A.I.) in healthcare. These range from the principles laying the groundwork for the safe and effective development of A.I.-powered medical devices to a sober look at the technology’s role in the pandemic. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 10 healthcare A.I. news of the year that was.
1. The FDA’s list of AI/ML-enabled medical devices marketed in the U.S.
In September 2020, The Medical Futurist Institute (TMFI) had its first research published in the prestigious npj Digit...
Source: The Medical Futurist - December 14, 2021 Category: Information Technology Authors: Pranavsingh Dhunnoo Tags: TMF Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Future of Medicine Healthcare Design Healthcare Policy fda google IBM ibm watson A.I. deepmind Alphabet Source Type: blogs
A controlled trial of face masks for COVID-19
It will be some time before a substantial fraction of the human population is immunized to prevent COVID-19. In the meantime, widespread use of face masks can have an impact on disease, a conclusion suggested by results of a trial carried out in Bangladesh. WHO would not recommend the use of face masks until June […] (Source: virology blog)
Source: virology blog - December 10, 2021 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: Basic virology Information COVID-19 face mask SARS-CoV-2 viral virus viruses Source Type: blogs
TWiV 839: The long and the short of it: get vaccinated
TWiV reviews the impact of vaccination on SARS-CoV-2, the latest information on Omicron, West Nile virus transmission by organ transplantation, and why a 16 week interval between doses of BNT162b2 vaccine is better than a shorter interval. Click arrow to playDownload TWiV 839 (64 MB .mp3, 107 min)Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv (Source: virology blog)
Source: virology blog - December 9, 2021 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: This Week in Virology antibody coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic SARS-CoV-2 vaccine viral viruses Source Type: blogs
Quick Test for Antibody Efficacy Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants
At Duke University a team of scientists developed a test that rapidly provides data on how effective antibodies are at neutralizing different COVID-19 variants. The test could be very handy in determining the immunity of a specific patient against various variants, or in deciding on the best monoclonal antibody therapy to use. The researchers have called their technology the COVID-19 Variant Spike-ACE2-Competitive Antibody Neutralization assay (CoVariant-SCAN).
As the Omicron variant spreads around the world, many vaccinated people are worried that they may not have sufficient immunity against such a heavily mutated var...
Source: Medgadget - December 9, 2021 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Medicine Public Health Source Type: blogs
The American public deserves more COVID-19 vaccine options
Covaxin, an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and the only vaccine to have been proven effective against all variants including the Delta variant in a Phase III clinical study, deserves to be tested in clinical trials in the U.S. for potential CDC/FDA approval for use in the U.S. As we are about to celebrate the one-year anniversaryRead more …The American public deserves more COVID-19 vaccine options originally appeared inKevinMD.com. (Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - December 8, 2021 Category: General Medicine Authors: < span itemprop="author" > < a href="https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/post-author/tayson-delengocky" rel="tag" > Tayson DeLengocky, DO < /a > < /span > Tags: Conditions COVID-19 coronavirus Infectious Disease Source Type: blogs
Chewing Gum Neutralizes SARS-CoV-2
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a chewing gum that can bind to SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva, potentially helping to reduce viral transmission. The gum contains the protein ACE2 that can attach to the viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. By binding directly to the viral particles, it can prevent them from being transmitted through coughs or sneezes. The gum may be another weapon in our arsenal against SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
The COVID-19 pandemic is in its second act, with many people in developed countries having received a vaccine, but the emergence of new strains and the lack of vaccine coverag...
Source: Medgadget - December 8, 2021 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Conn Hastings Tags: Medicine Public Health Source Type: blogs
It ’ s not all Greek to me
By now, we’ve all heard the phrase “variant of concern” referring to a new form of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Technically, these variants have mutations that alter how well the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infects our cells. If the new form of the virus is of concern it is usually because the mutations in the spike protein on the surface of the virus are likely to make it more infectious, faster spreading and/or to worse symptoms or lead to more deaths.
The national and international health organisations assess new variants of which there are known to be hu...
Source: David Bradley Sciencebase - Songs, Snaps, Science - December 3, 2021 Category: Science Authors: David Bradley Tags: COVID-19 Source Type: blogs
TWiV 835: Giving thanks for antibodies
TWiV reviews why children should be vaccinated against COVID-19, increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 Beta, Gamma, and Delta variant compared to Alpha variant in vaccinated but not recovered individuals, and immune correlates of protection from the mRNA-1273 vaccine efficacy trial. Click arrow to playDownload TWiV 835 (59 MB .mp3, 99 min)Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Show notes at […] (Source: virology blog)
Source: virology blog - November 28, 2021 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: This Week in Virology antibody coronavirus COVID-19 immune correlate of protection pandemic SARS-CoV-2 vaccine viral viruses Source Type: blogs
TWiV 834: COVID-19 clinical update #90 with Dr. Daniel Griffin
In COVID-19 clinical update #90, Dr. Griffin covers FDA expansion for booster doses, 3 more at home antigen tests approved by FDA, immune correlates analysis of mRNA-1273 vaccine, risk for stillbirth, PROVENT prophylaxis trial results, fluvoxamine recommendations, advice on molnupiravir, automated text messaging service for monitoring illness, and long COVID-19 after vaccination and infection. Click […] (Source: virology blog)
Source: virology blog - November 28, 2021 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: This Week in Virology antiviral coronavirus COVID-19 inflammation monoclonal antibody pandemic SARS-CoV-2 vaccine vaccine booster variant of concern viruses Source Type: blogs
