coronavirus

A mouse model for COVID-19

Small animal models (mice, ferrets, hamsters) are essential for understanding how SARS-CoV-2 causes disease and for pre-clinical evaluation of vaccines and antiviral therapeutics. One promising model has been developed by modifying SARS-CoV-2 so that it binds to murine ACE2. Laboratory mice cannot be infected with SARS-CoV-2 because the viral spike glycoprotein (illustrated) does not bind …

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TWiV 617: Coronavirus Times

Daniel Griffin provides a clinical update on COVID-19, then we review TETRIS by Paterson NJ, modeling the effects of intervention in the US on cases and deaths, mixing PCR and serology data, and much more, including listener email. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 617 (91 MB .mp3, 152 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Show …

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Cigarette smoke and COVID-19

Some evidence suggests that cigarette smokers are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 disease than non-smokers. Chronic smoke exposure appears to trigger the expansion of cell types in the respiratory tract that produce ACE2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2. This observation provides a plausible hypothesis to explain why cigarette smokers might experience more severe COVID-19. A …

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TWiEVO 56: Revising the drafts of coronavirus evolution

Nels and Vincent continue their discussion of SARS-CoV-2 evolution, including understanding recurrent mutations in the viral genome, and the potential for re-emergence of the virus from an animal reservoir. Click arrow to play Download TWiEVO 56 (53 MB .mp3, 88 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Show notes at microbe.tv/twievo

TWiV 614: COVID Tetris – Test, trace, isolate

Daniel Griffin provides a clinical update on COVID-19, then we review results showing requirement for the furin site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike for replication, US state vaccine exemptions, concerns with a rapid diagnostic test, and answers to listener questions. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 614 (100 MB .mp3, 167 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! …

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