All Infectious disease articles – Page 4
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ArticleGene therapies that listen and respond: the power of RNA regulation
Most gene therapies rely on static DNA promoters to control gene activity, but nature uses far more sophisticated tools. Dr Matthew Dale explores how harnessing RNA-level control could enable treatments that sense and respond in real time, offering unprecedented precision and safety.
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NewsHijacking Leydig cells: how COVID-19 lowers testosterone
Brazilian researchers have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 targets testosterone-producing cells in the testicles, hijacking cholesterol and lipid metabolism in order to replicate. The findings could lead to new therapies for treating the disease based on drugs that disrupt lipid metabolism.
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NewsNew Zika vaccine prevents infection and organ damage
Brazilian researchers have developed a new Zika virus vaccine that is safe and effective in mice – protecting against both brain inflammation and testicular damage while avoiding cross-reactions with dengue.
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NewsChikungunya’s 2025 surge sparks urgent research response
The 2025 chikungunya outbreak has surged from the Indian Ocean to Europe, prompting an urgent global research response. With no antivirals and limited vaccine access, laboratories and biotech firms are under pressure to deliver solutions fast.
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NewsFDA-approved asthma drug may protect against food allergy reactions
An existing asthma drug has been shown to almost completely prevent life-threatening allergic reactions to food in mice, after researchers found a previously unknown genetic pathway linked to anaphylaxis.
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Next-gen malaria vaccine created using mapped parasite protein
Australian scientists have, for the first time, visualised a malaria parasite protein complex – a discovery that has led to a new mRNA vaccine capable of blocking the parasite’s reproduction in mosquitoes and potentially halting transmission.
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NewsVitamin B1 + glucose: a new combination approach to tackling sepsis
Scientists at Ghent University have discovered that a simple combination of vitamin B1 and glucose could drastically improve survival in sepsis – a life-threatening condition responsible for millions of deaths each year.
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NewsCOVID-19 and flu could awaken hidden breast cancer cells
Scientists have discovered that infections like COVID-19 and flu can “wake up” dormant breast cancer cells – triggering new tumour growth in the lungs.
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NewsHow FtsZ and ZapA proteins drive bacterial cell division
Japanese researchers have discovered how the bacterial proteins FtsZ and ZapA work together to drive cell division – a discovery that could guide the development of new antibacterial treatments.
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NewsPioneering Nipah vaccine for pigs aims to protect humans too
Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have developed and successfully tested three experimental vaccines to protect pigs against the deadly Nipah virus - a first step to preventing transmission to humans.
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NewsDiscovery of hidden survival mechanism in MRSA points to new drug targets
In the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) have made a discovery that could change how we target deadly pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and its drug-resistant strain - MRSA.
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ArticleThe future of CNS drug development: signs of real progress
New therapeutic approaches are emerging for CNS disorders – but can they overcome the toughest barriers in drug development? Find out what is driving progress and what still stands in the way.
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ArticleNGS is evolving: collaboration and tech lead the way
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is advancing fast – and it’s not happening in isolation. Strategic partnerships and automation are streamlining workflows and reshaping what's possible in genomics research.
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NewsBird flu is changing - AI might help us keep up
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte have used artificial intelligence to look at how the H5N1 bird flu virus is evolving to evade the immune system - insights that could make way for development of effective future therapies.
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New discovery shows how viral vectors release genes in therapy
Researchers at The University of Osaka have found how structural changes in the VP1 protein of AAV vectors trigger genome release - offering insights for improving the safety, efficiency and stability of gene therapy delivery systems.
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NewsDual-action therapy clears MDR bacteria in preclinical models
Centauri Therapeutics has published data showing that CTX-09’s ability effectively clears drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria through a novel dual mechanism, marking a promising development for new infection therapies.
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NewsEngineered DNA aptamers outsmart viral infection pathways
EPFL scientists have engineered virus-inspired DNA aptamers that bind infection targets with record selectivity. This innovation could change how we diagnose and treat infectious diseases.
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NewsStatins repurposed for sepsis show life-saving potential
A new study suggests statins, cheap and widely used cholesterol drugs, could be repurposed to reduce the risk of death from sepsis. Researchers reported a 39 percent drop in 28-day mortality, highlighting their potential role in critical care.
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NewsHerpes virus protein boosts T cell power against cancer
Researchers at the University of Michigan have engineered a herpes virus protein to enhance T cell survival and function, offering a new strategy to strengthen cancer immunotherapy.
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NewsNasal spray gene therapy shows potential to treat lung diseases
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed a new gene therapy delivery system, AAV.CPP.16, that targets the lungs via nasal spray, which could offer a potential breakthrough in respiratory gene therapy.