Research News

Schematic of the main protease of SARS CoV-2 (left), the protein residue network of the main protease of SARS CoV-2 (center), and a zoomed-in view of the region around the binding site as detected by Estrada (right). CREDIT: Ernesto Estrada

As the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread around the world, many researchers are studying epidemiological models to predict its propagation.

In the current pandemic scenario, global supplies of nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs are not dependable resulting in supply chain delays, escalating prices and variable quality. CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, has developed an indigenous NP swab for collecting samples from the throat cavity of COVID-19 patients. The need for making available domestic technology for NP swabs was flagged by CSIR to NCL in mid-April.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, have identified a potent compound that has shown cancer-inhibiting activity in their primary studies on pancreatic cancer. For this compound, they have received Investigational New Drug (IND) approval from the New Drugs Division of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). It has been recognized as a potent anti-cancer, New Chemical Entity (NCE) effective against pancreatic cancer after completion of preclinical development and IND submission.

A team of researchers from IIT Madras, Cancer Institute, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru have identified a specific microRNA (miRNAs) called ‘miR-155’ that is over-expressed in tongue cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small Ribo Nucleic Acid. They are non-coding RNAs involved in the regulation of a variety of biological and pathological processes, including the formation and development of cancer. This finding is important in that molecular strategies can potentially be devised to manipulate miR-155 expression to develop therapeutics for tongue cancer.

The fight against Chikungunya disease has got a major boost with CEPI, the global Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and its Indian arm Ind-CEPI, announcing a new partnering agreement with a consortium comprising Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech (BBIL) and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to promote the development of a vaccine against the disease.

Atriva Therapeutics GmbH, a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of host-targeting antiviral therapies announced a clinical strategy to treat patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 who require hospitalization. ATR-002, an oral small molecule, has been proven in preclinical trials to block viral propagation of SARS-CoV-2 and to have an immunomodulatory effect leading to a decreased cytokine and chemokine release. This dual benefit makes the MEK-inhibitor ATR-002 particularly relevant for the treatment of COVID-19.

Loss of smell (anosmia) and changes in taste (dysgeusia) were strongly associated with SARS-CoV-2, according to a Canadian study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

A potential blood-based biomarker for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases seems even more promising thanks to new research from a Massachusetts General Hospital-led study. According to this team's work, neurofilament light chain (NfL) has great potential as a biomarker for early detection of Alzheimer's disease and could be also useful for monitoring treatment response for that condition.

Giving beneficial bacteria to stressed mothers during the equivalent of the third trimester of pregnancy prevents an autism-like disorder in their offspring, according to a new animal study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers.