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April 5, 2013 5:05 AM
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Roadmap to an HIV Vaccine [maybe]

Roadmap to an HIV Vaccine [maybe] | Virology News | Scoop.it
Researchers track the evolution of HIV in a single patient to understand what drives the production of broadly neutralizing antibodies.
Ed Rybicki's insight:

So they say they have a strategy to mimic natural infection, where an arms race between generation of antibody binding site diveristy and Env epitopes results in increasingly good neutralising antibodies to Env - and that this could lead to a vaccine.

 

Um.  Yeeeessss...for a single patient, given that this is what they followed??  And now that they will follow other single patients, might they not show that each person's responses evolve completely differently?

 

So this is good science - in fact, it is GREAT science.  However - right now that is all it is; like so much of HIV research, answering hypothesis-generated questions leads to more more hypotheses, and more good science, and more publications....BUT NO VACCINES.  In fact, the ONLY vaccines which have made it into Phase III clinical trial are nothing like what people seem to think will work, and only got there because the people who pushed for the trials pretty much ignored the basic scientists.

 

A potential flaw in the whole approach is looking at what NATURAL infections do.  That this may not be relevant is shown by the case of one of the most successful of recent vaccines, which is Human papillomavirus (HPV) VLPs.  The virus infects epithelial cells in a topical manner, is cleared by cell-mediated immune responses and elicits only weak antibody responses which are protective, whereas the vaccine is given via injection, and elicits very high neutralising antibody responses which are protective - but are of no use against established infections.

 

But the trains roll on, and new approaches keep getting unearthed, and maybe we will yet get efficacious HIV vaccines.

 

Maybe.

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Virology News
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January 19, 2023 6:04 AM
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Cann's Principles of Molecular Virology - 7th Edition

Cann's Principles of Molecular Virology - 7th Edition | Virology News | Scoop.it

Cann's Principles of Molecular Virology, - 7th Edition, revised by EP Rybicki. Print Book. ISBN 9780128227848. Now published!!


Instructor review copies: click on this link.

https://protect-za.mimecast.com/s/qU2qCNxKq0i0ZNRQxcmeDdo

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Today, 9:54 AM
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Next-generation metagenomic sequencing test quickly detects any kind of pathogen

Next-generation metagenomic sequencing test quickly detects any kind of pathogen | Virology News | Scoop.it
Next-generation metagenomic sequencing test developed at UCSF proves its effectiveness in quickly diagnosing almost any kind of pathogen.
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Breakthrough genomic test identifies virtually any infection in one go

Breakthrough genomic test identifies virtually any infection in one go | Virology News | Scoop.it
Researchers at UCSF have developed a single genomic test that can quickly detect virtually any kind of pathogen in a patient. This allows for much quicker diagnoses, enables targeted treatment to begin sooner, and could lower healthcare costs.
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MassiveFold: Customizable version of AlphaFold reduces protein structure prediction time from months to hours

Scientists from Université de Lille, France, Linköping University, Sweden, and collaborating institutions have introduced MassiveFold, a new version of AlphaFold that dramatically reduces computing time for protein structure predictions from months to hours.
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October 31, 11:09 AM
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Endoplasmic reticulum model brings new insight to cell organelle's structure and function

The peripheral endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms a continuous, dynamic network of tubules that plays an important role in protein transport and quality control, cellular signaling, and stress response. Investigating how the unique structure of the ER arises and supports its function is critical to developing a mechanistic understanding of the many neurological diseases associated with ER structural perturbations.
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October 31, 11:08 AM
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Scientists describe how mycobacteria evade the effects of antibiotics

One of the main challenges of contemporary medicine is posed by the resistance of pathogens to antibiotics. An important step in countering it has now been made by researchers from IOCB Prague, in collaboration with colleagues from the Institute of Microbiology and the Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
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October 31, 11:07 AM
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Experiments demonstrate precise delivery of nanoparticles to lung via caveolae pumping system

In recent years, bio-medical engineers have been developing promising techniques that could help diagnose diseases or precisely target specific regions inside the human body. Among these promising therapeutic strategies are methods that rely on the use of nanoparticles (NPs), tiny particles between 1 and 100 nm in size.
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October 31, 11:06 AM
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Is the updated COVID vaccine a good match for the current variant and the emerging strain?

Northeastern University professors of pharmacy say the updated COVID-19 vaccines available for fall and winter of 2024 are a good match for the dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2 currently in circulation.
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October 23, 9:43 AM
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Paper mills: The 'cartel-like' companies behind fraudulent scientific journals

Science and Nature, two leading science journals, have revealed a growing problem: an alarming rise in fraudulent research papers produced by shady paper mill companies. This wave of fake studies is creating a major headache for the academic world, putting the integrity of global academic research at risk.
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October 23, 9:42 AM
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How the coronavirus defeats the innate immune response

SARS-CoV-2 has an enzyme that can counteract a cell's innate defense mechanism against viruses, explaining why it is more infectious than the previous SARS and MERS-causing viruses. The discovery may point the way to the development of more effective...
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October 23, 9:40 AM
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Evaluation of Fecal Sample Pooling for Real-Time RT-PCR Testing SARS-CoV-2 in Animals

Evaluation of Fecal Sample Pooling for Real-Time RT-PCR Testing SARS-CoV-2 in Animals | Virology News | Scoop.it
During the COVID-19 pandemic, veterinary diagnostic laboratories tested both human and animal samples and needed to ensure that they could accurately perform large numbers of diagnostic tests in a timely manner.
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October 23, 9:39 AM
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Cancer-Killing Immune Cells Drill Into Tumors at Flip of Light-Activated Switch

Cancer-Killing Immune Cells Drill Into Tumors at Flip of Light-Activated Switch | Virology News | Scoop.it
Strategy for enhancing immune cell infiltration could be combined with other methods to improve cell-based immunotherapies against solid tumors.
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October 20, 3:12 AM
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In utero exposure to COVID-19 not tied to later neurodevelopmental issues

In utero exposure to COVID-19 not tied to later neurodevelopmental issues | Virology News | Scoop.it
Exposure to maternal COVID-19 is not associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental screening results through 24 months postpartum, according to a study published online Oct. 16 in JAMA Network Open.
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Today, 9:55 AM
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COVID Map Update Reveals Shift in 'Very High' Water Virus Levels

COVID Map Update Reveals Shift in 'Very High' Water Virus Levels | Virology News | Scoop.it
"Very high" levels of the virus were detected by the CDC in New Mexico, with "high" levels in Oregon, Arkansas, and Maine.
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An Optimised Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Ferret Efficacy Model Successfully Translates H1N1 Clinical Data

An Optimised Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Ferret Efficacy Model Successfully Translates H1N1 Clinical Data | Virology News | Scoop.it
Between 2013 and 2016, the A/H1N1pdm09 component of the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) produced instances of lower-than-expected vaccine effectiveness. Standard pre-clinical ferret models, using a human-like vaccine dose and focusing on antigenic match to circulating wildtype (wt)...
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Researchers Discover COVID-19’s Secret to Evading Early Immune Response

Researchers Discover COVID-19’s Secret to Evading Early Immune Response | Virology News | Scoop.it
The virus takes control of three key host proteins that suppress the activity of the complement system.Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna and the Medical University of Innsbruck have found that SARS-CoV-2 manipulates three critical host proteins that normally suppress the activity of...
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Effect of Dual Brand LFT Testing on SARS-CoV-2 Detection

Effect of Dual Brand LFT Testing on SARS-CoV-2 Detection | Virology News | Scoop.it
The following is a summary of “Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently and nested viral culture study,” published in the November 2024 issue of...
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October 31, 11:08 AM
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Solar-powered animal cells: Combining chloroplasts from algae with hamster cells

Energy-making chloroplasts from algae have been inserted into hamster cells, enabling the cells to photosynthesize light, according to new research in Japan. It was previously thought that combining chloroplasts (chlorophyll containing structures in the cells of plants and algae) with animal cells was not possible, and that the chloroplasts would not survive or function.
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October 31, 11:07 AM
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An Oxford Nanopore Technology-Based Hepatitis B Virus Sequencing Protocol Suitable for Genomic Surveillance Within Clinical Diagnostic Settings

An Oxford Nanopore Technology-Based Hepatitis B Virus Sequencing Protocol Suitable for Genomic Surveillance Within Clinical Diagnostic Settings | Virology News | Scoop.it
Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection remains a significant public health concern, particularly in Africa, where the burden is substantial. HBV is an enveloped virus, classified into ten phylogenetically distinct genotypes (A–J).
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October 31, 11:06 AM
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Many People with Long COVID Have Signs of Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Proteins, New Findings Show –

Many People with Long COVID Have Signs of Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Proteins, New Findings Show – | Virology News | Scoop.it
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October 23, 9:44 AM
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Quick exercise bursts enhance cognitive function

Quick exercise bursts enhance cognitive function | Virology News | Scoop.it
New research finds that bursts of exercise, like cycling or HIIT workouts, can improve memory, attention, and other cognitive functions.
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October 23, 9:43 AM
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COVID-19 XEC Variant: Symptoms to Watch for as Virus Surges

COVID-19 XEC Variant: Symptoms to Watch for as Virus Surges | Virology News | Scoop.it
XEC has become the second most prevalent strain in the country, accounting for 1 in 10 cases.
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October 23, 9:42 AM
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Enhancing recombinant protein expression in lettuce

Recombinant proteins are crucial in pharmaceutical and other industries. A production method uses plants as hosts in transient protein expression systems. Researchers at the University of Tsukuba developed a technique to increase recombinant protein expression in lettuce by inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
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October 23, 9:40 AM
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How Neil King and David Baker are using AI to create more effective vaccines

How Neil King and David Baker are using AI to create more effective vaccines | Virology News | Scoop.it
In October, our longtime grantee David Baker won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for groundbreaking work in protein design. We wanted to take the opportunity to highlight his work and some of its practical applications, such as enabling better vaccines, that we have been supporting Baker and his...
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October 20, 3:12 AM
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Fast super-resolved microscopy enables structured illumination and extended depth detection

Fast super-resolved microscopy enables structured illumination and extended depth detection | Virology News | Scoop.it
Fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool in biology, allowing researchers to visualize the intricate world of cells and tissues at a molecular level. While this technique has revolutionized our understanding of biological processes, imaging large and complex 3D structures, such as embryos or...
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October 20, 3:11 AM
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An ill kitten in Nebraska sparked efforts to stamp out the spread of rabies

The 2023 illness and death in Nebraska of a stray kitten infected with rabies set off a large-scale effort to discover how the feline became infected in the first place.
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