The speedy approach used to tackle SARS-CoV-2 could change the future of vaccine science.
A tale of mutations, recombination, spike proteins, and bats
Studies suggest that self-disseminating vaccines could prevent the "spillover" of animal viruses into humans as pandemic diseases.
Reports of reinfection instead may be cases of drawn-out illness. A decline in antibodies is normal after a few weeks, and people are protected from the coronavirus in other ways.
Four charts show how pooling samples from many people can save time or resources.
T cell reactivity against SARS-CoV-2 was observed in unexposed people; however, the source and clinical relevance of the reactivity remains unknown. It is speculated that this reflects T cell memory to circulating ‘common cold’ coronaviruses. It will be important to define specificities of these T cells and assess their association with COVID-19 disease severity and vaccine responses.
Neural networks have been taught to quickly read the surfaces of proteins - molecules critical to many biological processes. The advance is already being used to create defenses for the virus responsible for COVID-19.
Didier Fassin is James D. Wolfensohn Professor in the School of Social Science at the Institute for Advanced Study. An anthropologist and sociologist, he was trained as a physician in internal medicine and public health, and focused his early work on the AIDS epidemic and health inequities. He has conducted research in Senegal, Congo, South Africa, Ecuador, and France. An expert on topics including immigration, discrimination, and social justice, he has carried out ethnographic studies on the police and the prison system. Elected to the Annual Chair in Public Health at the College de France, he is currently preparing a series of lectures and a book on the anthropology of public health. Confined in his French home near Paris, he spoke over Zoom with Joanne Lipman, IAS Distinguished Journalism Fellow, about the global response to the coronavirus pandemic. This conversation was conducted on May 8, 2020. It has been edited for length and clarity.
This piece is part of a continuing series on Caltech scientists who are researching the COVID-19 pandemic, each according to their own specialty. From biology, to chemistry, to social sciences, and computing, the keys to fighting the disease are waiting to be discovered.
Scientists at the US agency offer advice about remote working, social isolation and quarantine.
The coronavirus still has a long way to go. That's the message from a crop of new studies across the world that are trying to quantify how many people have been infected.
Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 Sequences from Iranian related COVID-19 patients
Najmeh Salehi, Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioinformatics, Genetics Department, Royan Institute
Olfactory dysfunction as a biomarker for COVID-19
Shima T. Moein, School of Biological Sciences, IPM
Drug manufacturers face supply-chain weaknesses and sourcing issues as they ramp up complex production processes to meet global demand.
This piece is part of an ongoing series on Caltech scientists who are researching the COVID-19 pandemic, each according to their own specialty. From biology, to chemistry, to social sciences, and computing, the keys to fighting the disease are waiting to be discovered.
Diagnostic accuracy of different paraclinical tests for COVID-19
Hamid Mahdizadeh, Genetics Department, Royan Institute, ACECR
As COVID-19 cases continue to increase, our extensive knowledge of other coronaviruses informs our understanding.
Angelos Chaniotis is Professor of Ancient History and Classics in the School of Historical Studies at the Institute of Advanced Study. His research encompasses the social, cultural, religious, and economic history of the Hellenic world and the Roman East. Most recently, he has focused on the role of emotion, memory, and identity in history. He spoke with Joanne Lipman, IAS Distinguished Journalism Fellow, about the parallels between ancient plagues and today's COVID pandemic. This conversation was conducted on April 14, 2020. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Mathematical models prescribe: Staying at home is the key to control the spread of COVID-19
Zahra Eidi, PhD, School of Bilogical Sciences (IPM)
Data, information, and knowledge in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic
Ata Kalirad, PhD, School of Bilogical Sciences (IPM)
Professor Emeritus Arnold J. Levine spoke with Joanne Lipman, the Institutes Peretsman Scully Distinguished Journalism Fellow, about the novel coronavirus outbreak, how it compares to previous pandemics, and potential therapies in the works that may help stop the spread.
Mac Hyman, Tulane University, updates us on modeling COVID-19, including sites that are good resources for modelers.
COVID-19 Overview: Common questions and concerns
Shima T. Moein, MD-PhD, School of Bilogical Sciences (IPM)
Ali Khorram-Tousi, MD, General Practitioner, Medical Adviser, Cardio-Thrombosis Unit (Abidi Pharmaceutical Company)
