22 projects
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Enabling technology for Portable, Rapid, Label-Free, PCR-Less detection of Viral RNA
Reliable detection of the presence of an infection at early stages, even before symptoms appear, is a non-trivial challenge, one that requires delivering high sensitivity in detection of viral RNA. Further, a detection at the point of care, at response times of few minutes using disposable sensors would deliver a practical solution to de-centralized mass-testing of subjects. From an industry point of view, such technology should also be practical enough to be produced and implemented in large quantities using tools that do not have to be customized. The cost of the measurement should be lo...
A PRECLINICAL EVALUATION: VACCINATION AND EFFICACY AGAINST SARS-CoV-2
SARS-CoV-2, the causative factor of COVID-19, is endangering the world's health, prosperity and political crises are on the horizon. Nations worldwide had to take drastic measures to prevent catastrophes: strict confinement and hygienic measures have been undertaken to minimize the virus spread. Despite the control measures, the pandemic is inevitably damaging the economy due to a shutdown of public and business life, an overload of the healthcare systems, and the high case fatality rate of COVID-19. The global fight against COVID-19 has mobilized, and many provisional treatments are being ...
COVID-19 and Neurturin
SARS-Cov-2 is a coronavirus is at the origin of the current COVID-19 pandemic, which poses a global and significant threat to public health worldwide. Although several treatment modalities have been evaluated, none has allowed a therapeutic breakthrough until now. New treatment modalities are therefore urgently needed. We have previously described that neurturin, a member of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family, expressed not only as a growth factor in the nervous system but also the immune system, displays clear anti-inflammatory properties in mouse asthma models. Indeed,...
Direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA with field effect transistors
The current methods for COVID-19 diagnosis suffer shortages of fundamental reagents and lack of reliability. The main, most secure, method is PCR, with high sensitivity, though it has some lack of reliability due to inefficiencies in the RNA transcription, and the sensitivities to virus mutations. Though, the main bottleneck is the shortage of enzymes during the current pandemic. The second group of methods are less reliable rapid serologic tests, which are sensitive only after 7 days of infection. It is also limited by the availability of antibodies. We propose direct detection of RNA usin...
Rapid serological profiling of SARS-CoV-2 antibody response
Development of antibodies is the method by which we derive immunity to a pathogen. Tracking of the development of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) is important in our understanding of this pandemic and formation of an exit strategy. Antibodies can identify different parts or proteins of a pathogen known as antigens. Current tests do not distinguish which antigens antibodies have been developed against or the level of antibody production. Using protein arrays, printed at the LIH RPPA facility we will provide a more complete analysis of the antibody development.
Relation of severity of COVID-19 infection to nutrient status, oxidative stress, inflammation & v...
Background: Severity of COVID-19 infection is related to host-factors including the immune and respiratory system, gut health, and pre-existing cardio-metabolic diseases. Enhanced inflammation and oxidative stress may worsen the prognosis of COVID-19 subjects. An imbalanced diet poor in essential micronutrients, dietary fiber and phytochemicals and containing insufficient proteins and antioxidant properties can aggravate these aspects, worsening the immune system and infection risk, especially in conjunction with enhanced visceral adiposity exacerbating chronic inflammation. Individuals wit...
Screening for small molecule activators of mesenchymal stem cells as potential therapeutics for C...
Some COVID-19 patients have been successfully treated with mesenchymal stem cells. Most probably, the positive effect comes from the immunomodulatory function of mesenchymal stem cells on the inflammatory burst in the virus-damaged alveolar region. An already established 3D in vitro model representing the alveolar barrier will be enriched with mesenchymal stem cells to further increase the similarity to the human in vivo situation. We suggest to use these alveolar models as a tool to screen for small molecules that activate endogenous mesenchymal stem cells and that have therefore therapeut...
COVID19-induced changes to the plasma proteome
Studies focussing on human coronavirus found so far seven different viruses including SARS, MERS and COVID19. SARS, MERS and COVID19 present with various flu-like symptoms up to respiratory distress. Secondary symptoms include kidney problems, cardiovascular problems and neurological signs, like headache and nausea. In the case of the SARS infection, it has been shown that the virus can invade the central nervous system in patients and laboratory animals. The infection of epithelial cells by a coronavirus will lead to a change of the cellular protein composition in response to the virus' ...
