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An artist’s rendering of a DNA-based virus trap, represented as gray rods in a short cone-shaped arrangement. One is coated with blue molecules, likely antibodies, that adhere to a virus target. Another image shows to traps coming together to capture a red coronavirus.
“Origami” DNA Traps Could Keep Large Viruses From Infecting Cells
By engineering structures out of DNA, scientists could potentially prevent larger viruses, like coronaviruses and influenza viruses, from interacting with cells.
“Origami” DNA Traps Could Keep Large Viruses From Infecting Cells
“Origami” DNA Traps Could Keep Large Viruses From Infecting Cells

By engineering structures out of DNA, scientists could potentially prevent larger viruses, like coronaviruses and influenza viruses, from interacting with cells.

By engineering structures out of DNA, scientists could potentially prevent larger viruses, like coronaviruses and influenza viruses, from interacting with cells.

virus, immunology, microbiology

Illustration of viruses represented with different colors overlapping each other.
What Happens When You Catch More than One Virus?
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Dec 7, 2022 | 8 min read
The “tripledemic” shines a spotlight on viral interference, in which one infection can block another.
a small black mouse sits next to an obese black mouse on a white background
Obesity Protects Against Genital Herpes in Mice, Study Finds
Katherine Irving | Nov 11, 2022 | 3 min read
A high-fat diet induced changes to the animals’ vaginal microbiomes that boosted survival after exposure to the virus.
New Strategies in the Battle Against Infectious Diseases
New Strategies in the Battle Against Infectious Diseases
The Scientist Staff | 2 min read
Learn how the latest research into viral and bacterial pathogens advances the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. 
Illustration of a red bacteriophage infecting a blue bacterium, with other bacteria in the background.
Prokaryotes Are Capable of Learning to Recognize Phages
Patience Asanga | Aug 17, 2022 | 3 min read
Immune defense genes in bacteria and archaea can identify viral proteins, a study finds, revealing similarities between the immune systems of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
Group of cells stained in either blue or green in a black background.
Diabetes Marker Linked to COVID-19 Severity in Mice
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | May 16, 2022 | 3 min read
A sugar that’s less abundant in the blood of people with diabetes binds to SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein and disrupts the virus’s ability to fuse with cells.  
Securing the Antibody Supply Chain through Recombinant Antibody Technology: A COVID-19 Case Study
The Scientist Creative Services Team in collaboration with Sartorius Corporation | 1 min read
Nicholas Hutchings will discuss how recombinant antibody technology can speed up the response to a pandemic.
illustration of thymus in white on a green background
New Mechanism for Virus-Triggered Autoimmunity Uncovered
Sophie Fessl, PhD | Mar 11, 2022 | 4 min read
Roseolovirus infection disrupts how the body trains immune cells not to attack it, a mouse study shows.
blue gloved hand putting vial of blood into centrifuge machine
Studies Identify Risk Factors for Long COVID
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Jan 26, 2022 | 4 min read
Two recent papers provide insight into possible risk factors for developing the chronic condition, including autoantibodies and diabetes.
close-up of empty vaccine vials in a factory
The Quest for a Universal Coronavirus Vaccine
Diana Kwon | Jun 29, 2021 | 8 min read
Scientists are on the hunt for a shot that will protect against not only SARS-CoV-2, but other members of its family that may emerge in the future.
An illustration of several human heads wearing masks
Q&A: Human Challenge Studies of COVID-19 Underway in UK
Jef Akst | Jun 18, 2021 | 4 min read
Researchers at Imperial College London and the University of Oxford are exposing healthy volunteers to SARS-CoV-2 for science.
Transmission electron microscope image of Zika virus particles
T Cell–Boosting Zika Vaccine Protects Mice from the Virus
Ruth Williams | May 12, 2021 | 4 min read
By avoiding the production of antibodies, something vaccines ordinarily induce, the immunization sidesteps the problem of antibody-dependent enhancement, which can amplify infection by a similar virus and is known to occur with dengue and Zika.
AstraZeneca, University of Oxford, vaccine, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, coronavirus, vaccination, safety, Europe
Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine on Hold in Some Countries
Asher Jones | Mar 12, 2021 | 2 min read
Rollouts of the shot have ground to a halt following reports of blood clots, but health authorities say that these fears are unfounded and vaccination programs should continue.
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, pandemic, vaccine, vaccine trials, combination, mix and match, immunity, antibodies, T cells, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, clinical trials
COVID-19 Vaccine Combos Aim to Boost Immunity
Asher Jones | Mar 9, 2021 | 6 min read
Mix-and-match shots could simplify vaccine rollout and stimulate more-robust immune responses. Ongoing clinical trials will soon give answers.
Variant Found in Brazil Could Evade Immunity from Past Infection
Lisa Winter | Mar 2, 2021 | 2 min read
The P.1 variant, which has also been detected in five US states, could be responsible for cases of reinfection, according to a preprint.
Sex Differences in Immune Responses to Viral Infection
Catherine Offord | Mar 1, 2021 | 10+ min read
Stronger interferon production, greater T cell activation, and increased susceptibility to autoimmunity are just some of the ways that females seem to differ from males.
Alterations in Immune Genes Make Bats Great Viral Hosts
Abby Olena, PhD | Oct 27, 2020 | 3 min read
Bat species use different strategies to dampen immune activation in response to viruses.
FDA to Allow for Plasma Therapy for COVID-19 Patients
Lisa Winter | Mar 26, 2020 | 3 min read
Under emergency protocols, doctors can request to use survivors’ plasma to treat some critically ill COVID-19 patients.  
Chinese Officials Blame US Army for Coronavirus
Lisa Winter | Mar 13, 2020 | 3 min read
There is no evidence backing the idea that SARS-CoV-2 originated from US servicemembers visiting Wuhan.
Viruses Mediate Interactions Between Bacteria and Sponges: Study
Catherine Offord | Jan 13, 2020 | 3 min read
A newly identified group of viruses may help suppress eukaryotes’ immune response and promote tolerance of endosymbiotic bacteria.
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