Daily curated COVID-19 literature
WP11 - The objective of this work package is to respond to requests concerning the current scientific knowledge on SARS-CoV-2. Based on the latest scientific literature the team will compile findings and give advice when needed
9 publications
Journal
2020-05-22
Ten reasons why immunity passports are a bad idea
Expert Summary: The authors state that any documentation that limits individual freedoms on the basis of biology allows human rights restrictions, increasing discrimination and threatens public health.
2020-05-19
Cross-neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 by a human monoclonal SARS-CoV antibody
Expert Summary: The authors describe multiple monoclonal antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 S identified from memory B cells of an individual who was infected with SARS-CoV in 2003. One antibody, named S309, shows a potent neutralization effect.
2020-05-15
Proteomics of SARS-CoV-2-infected host cells reveals therapy targets
Expert Summary: The authors established a human cell culture model for infection with SARS-CoV-2 clinical isolate. By using translatome and proteome proteomics approaches, they identify that SARS-CoV-2 infection modulates translation, splicing, carbon metabolism and nucleic acid metabolism in the host cell. Inhibition of these pathways with small molecule inhibitors seems to prevent viral replication in human cells.
2020-05-08
Isolation of SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus from Malayan pangolins
Expert Summary: While bats may be the reservoir host for various coronaviruses, whether SARS-CoV-2 has other hosts remains ambiguous.The authors show that the receptor-binding domain within the S protein of the Pangolin-CoV is virtually identical to that of SARS-CoV-2, with one noncritical amino acid difference and other similarities. Results of comparative genomic analysis suggest that SARS-CoV-2 might have originated from the recombination of a Pangolin-CoV-like virus with a Bat-CoV-RaTG13-like virus.
2020-05-05
Profile of a killer: the complex biology powering the coronavirus pandemic
Expert Summary: SARS-CoV-2 explained: summary of the known evolutionary origin and traits of the COVID-19 agent and questions to be answered by the scientists.
2020-04-30
Population flow drives spatio-temporal distribution of COVID-19 in China
Expert Summary: The authors used mobile-phone-data-based counts of 11 million people egressing or transiting through Wuhan in January 2020, as they moved throughout China. They develop a spatio-temporal “risk source” model that uses population flow data that can predict confirmed cases and identify high-transmission-risk locales at an early stage. The authors were able to statistically derive the geographic spread of COVID-19 and the growth pattern based on the population outflow from Wuhan.
2020-04-28
Aerodynamic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in two Wuhan hospitals
Expert Summary: The study investigated the aerodynamic nature of SARS-CoV-2 by measuring viral RNA in aerosols in different areas of two Wuhan hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak. The concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in aerosols detected in isolation wards and ventilated patient rooms was very low, but it was elevated in the patients’ toilet areas. Room ventilation, open space, sanitization of protective apparel, and proper use and disinfection of toilet areas can effectively limit the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in aerosols.
2020-04-20
Will antibody tests for the coronavirus really change everything?
Expert Summary: News piece about antibody testing for COVID-10. Although there is great enthusiasm concernign the serological, fine-tuning is crucial for their wide use. It is necessary to test the efficacy of the kits, to study the timing when those can be used after potential infection, and to evaluate if infection effectively means "immunity".
