8 E NEWS COVID 19

New virtual screening strategy identifies existing drug that inhibits COVID-19 virus

A novel computational drug screening strategy combined with lab experiments suggest that pralatrexate, a chemotherapy medication originally developed to treat lymphoma, could potentially be repurposed to treat Covid-19. Haiping Zhang of the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology in Shenzhen, China, and colleagues present these findings.

9 E NEWS SCIENTISTS

Scientists develop highthroughput mitochondria transfer device

Dr. Michael Teitell is director of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Scientists from the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a simple, high-throughput method for transferring isolated mitochondria and their associated mitochondrial DNA into mammalian cells. This approach enables researchers to tailor a key genetic component of cells, to study and potentially treat […]

10 E NEWS HYPOXEMIA

Researchers offer explanation for ‘silent hypoxemia’ detected in many COVID-19 patients

One of the physiopathological characteristics of COVID-19 that has most baffled the scientific and medical community is what is known as “silent hypoxemia” or “happy hypoxia”. Patients suffering this phenomenon, the causes of which are still unknown, have severe pneumonia with markedly decreased arterial blood oxygen levels (known as hypoxemia). However, they do not report […]

11 E NEWS NEAR INFRARED

Near-infrared probe decodes telomere dynamics

A new synthetic probe offers a safe and straightforward approach for visualizing chromosome tips in living cells. The probe was designed by scientists at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Science (iCeMS) and colleagues at Kyoto University, and could advance research into aging and a wide range of diseases, including cancers.

1A PRODUCT SIEMENS

Siemens Healthineers’ IL-6 Test receives U.S. FDA EUA to help assess dysregulated inflammation in COVID-19 patients

Siemens Healthineers announced 7 January that the U.S. FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for their laboratory-based IL-6 assay to measure the presence of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in human serum or plasma. IL-6 is an indicator of potential severe inflammatory response in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Emergency use of this test is limited […]

7B PRODUCT BIOTECH

Biotech start-up develops, offers for sale COVID-19 IgG test using ELISA protocol

ZTA Biotech, a Budapest-based biotech start-up, announced 6 January the breakthrough development of a COVID-19 antibody (IgG) test using the ELISA protocol – and is offering the intellectual property rights to licensees or a sole-rights purchaser.

12C PRODUCT DIASYS

DiaSys launches rapid test portfolio for COVID-19 PRODUCT and Influenza detection

DiaSys has introduced cartridge-based rapid tests for the detection of COVID-19 antigens and IgM and IgG antibodies, Influenza A&B as well as SGTi-flex COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag DUO. These rapid tests are easy and reliable to use and provide accurate results within a short time. Besides providing quick access to test results, rapid tests […]

2 PRODUCT HOLOGIC

Hologic’s Genius Digital Diagnostics System receives CE mark

Hologic’s new Genius Digital Diagnostics System is now CE marked in Europe. Genius Digital Diagnostics is the first digital cytology platform to combine a new artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm with advanced digital imaging to help cytotechnologists and pathologists identify precancerous lesions and cancer cells in women.

3 PRODUCT ENUVIO

eNUVIO unveils reusable 3D cell culture microplate

NUVIO has released the first completely reusable 3D cell culture microplate on the market. Scientific research currently consumes highvolumes of single-use plastics – from serological pipettes and pipette tips to vials and culture microplates – these are just a few of the many plastic items thrown in the garbage in labs every day. eNUVIO’s completely […]

4 PRODUCT BIO RAD

Bio-Rad introduces Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab immunoassay

Three types of assays are used to monitor COVID-19 infection: detection of the virus by a molecular test (PCR), by an antigen test, and serological assays that detect antibodies produced upon infection.