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  A novel COVID-19 vaccine using modified bacterial DNA Experimental vaccine based on altered plasmid DNA produced antibody response in mice that effectively blocked cell infection across all variants of concern tested. Researchers describe a different way to build a COVID-19 vaccine, one that would, in theory, remain effective against new and emerging variants and could be taken as a pill, by inhalation or other delivery methods. Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, with colleagues elsewhere, describe a different way to build a COVID-19 vaccine, one that would, in theory, remain effective against new and emerging variants and could be taken as a pill, by inhalation or other delivery methods. Their findings publish in the July 21, 2022 online issue of  PLOS Pathogens . The research involved building plasmids genetically altered to contain bits of genetic material specifically intended to target a vulnerability in the SARS-CoV-2 virus'...

  Opportunities for Spaceflight to Advance Stem Cell Science, Biomanufacturing, and Disease Modeling The secret to producing large batches of stem cells more efficiently may lie in the near-zero gravity conditions of space. Scientists at Cedars-Sinai report that microgravity has the potential to contribute to life-saving advances on Earth by facilitating the rapid mass production of stem cells. A paper (“Biomanufacturing in low Earth orbit for regenerative medicine”), led by the Cedars Sinai team and published in  Stem Cell Reports , highlights key opportunities discussed during the 2020 Biomanufacturing in Space Symposium, to expand the manufacture of stem cells in space. Attendees at the virtual space symposium in December identified more than 50 potential commercial opportunities for conducting biomanufacturing work in space, according to the Cedars-Sinai paper. The most promising fell into three categories: disease modeling, biofabrication, and stem-cell–de...

  Development of RNA G-quadruplex (rG4)-targeting L-RNA aptamers by rG4-SELEX Introduction : Guanine (G)-rich sequences of single-stranded DNA and RNA can fold into stable, intra- or intermolecular secondary structures called G-quadruplexes (dG4s and rG4s). These nucleic acid structure scaffolds are composed of stacks of G-quartets and can be further stabilized in the presence of monovalent ions, preferentially K +  or Na +  but not Li. Earlier findings have shown that G4s play important roles in various cellular events, including but not limited to DNA replication , DNA damage repair, transcription, translation, RNA metabolism and epigenetic remodelling. The ability to regulate fundamental biological processes, as well as their chemically interesting structures, makes G4s promising targets for potential cancer, antimicrobial and antiviral treatments. With the mounting interests in the biological role of G4s, more structure-specific, sensitive and low-cytotoxicity tools a...