Blog | Diagnostic Technical Articles
The world is in midst of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (2019nCoV) infection. The Spike protein (S-protein) of SARS-CoV-2 (2019nCoV) mediates receptor (ACE2) binding and cell entry and is the dominant target of the immune system. Most mutations and deletions of SARS-CoV-2 occur in the coronavirus spike protein.
NERVTAG meetingon SARS-CoV-2 variant under investigation VUI-202012/01
NERVTAG Members: Peter Openshaw (PO), Andrew Hayward (AH),Wei Shen Lim (WSL),Julian Hiscox (JHi),John Edmunds (JE), Neil Ferguson (NF), Robert Dingwall (RD),Muge Cevik (MCe), Wendy Barclay (WB), Jim McMenamin (JMM),Calum Semple (CSm),Cariad Evans (CE),Ben Killingley (BK), Lisa Ritchie (LR), Chloe Sellwood (CSw), Ian Brown (IB)
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England
This briefing provides an update on previous briefings up to 11 June 2021
New variant clustering in households analysis
This analysis uses data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey up to 21 December 2020.
Viral vector-based vaccines: Lentiviral vector-based vaccines | GeneMedi
Lentivirus (lente-, Latin for “slow”) is a genus of retroviruses, medium sized (80-100nm) and enveloped, slightly pleomorphic, spherical with an isometric nucleocapsid containing two copies of positive-sense ssRNA genome (Fig. 11A). Most lentiviral vectors are based on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, a chronic and deadly diseases in human or other mammalian species [88]. Its DNA genome, transcribed from HIV-1 ssRNA, is approximately 9.7 kb and contains 9 open reading frames (ORFs), which are flanked by 5’ and 3’ long terminal repeats (LTRs), which are required for HIV-1 life cycle, such as reverse transcription, integration, and gene expression
Taking responsibility to help accelerate the COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic antibody discovery and development, GeneMedi had developed the pseudotype virus (pseudovirus) of SARS-COV-2 (2019nCOV) S501Y.V2 lineage, which will meet the evaluation of the efficacy of COVID19 vaccines and therapeutic antibodies.
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England
This briefing provides an update on previous briefings up to 3 June 2021
NERVTAG consensus statement on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as an AGP
NERVTAG was asked to undertake an evidence review to consider whether chest compressions and defibrillation are associated with an increased risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections. Furthermore, it was asked to give an opinion on whether chest compressions and defibrillation should be considered to be aerosol generating procedures (AGPs).
Rapid evaluation confirms lateral flow devices effective in detecting new COVID-19 variant
Scientists at PHE’s Porton Down laboratory have carried out a rapid evaluation using clinical and laboratory grown samples containing the VUI 202012/01 variant to test whether it can be detected by lateral flow devices (LFDs) currently in use across the country.
COVID-19 News and announcements collection on the new mutant variants
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel viral pneumonia caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). First discovered in Wuhan, a city in Hubei province of China, COVID-19 has already broken out throughout the world and posed a great threat to the public health, especially in Europe and North America now. Additionally, person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 disease is reported to be extremely rapid [158-160]. To date, more than one million cases were infected with COVID-19 and over 55,000 deaths occurred. Therefore, it is really urgent and noteworthy to develop the vaccines specific to COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.
Investigation of novel SARS-CoV-2 variant
This briefing provides an update on previous briefings up to 13 February 2021
Introduction of human infectious diseases caused by living pathogens
Infectious diseases are a significant burden on public health and economic stability of societies all over the world. They have been among the leading causes of death and disability and presented growing challenges to health security and human progress for centuries.
Introduction of animal infectious disease
Animal infectious diseases pose a continuing threat to animal health, food safety, national economy, and the environment.
Investigation of novel SARS-COV-2 variant
Analysis of routinely available genomic data in Kent, England was undertaken as part of an epidemiological investigation to investigate increasing incidence on 8 December 2020. Although only 4% (255/6130) of Kent cases had available genomes through COG-UK sequencing, a large phylogenetic luster of 117 genomically similar cases over the week 10-18 November 2020 was identified.
Investigation of novel SARS-CoV-2 variant
SARS-CoV-2 variants if considered to have concerning epidemiological, immunological or pathogenic properties are raised for formal investigation.
The strategies used in diagnosis of animal infectious disease for animal health
Animal infectious diseases pose a continuing threat to animal health, food safety, national economy, and the environment. Zoonotic infections, also named as zoonoses, involve veterinary pathogens that are sustained in animal populations but can be transmitted to and cause disease in humans. In the event of veterinary outbreaks, it is essential to make rapid and accurate diagnosis to control and prevent the spread of diseases.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variant from South Africa identified in UK
The 2 cases were identified in the UK on 22 December 2020 and both have been in contact with someone who has travelled from South Africa. Public Health England’s Health Protection Teams have followed up with both cases and contact tracing is underway.
Comparison of PCR vs Immunoassay vs Crispr-Based test
The outbreak of COVID-19, caused by 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), has been a global public health threat and caught the worldwide concern. Scientists throughout the world are sparing all efforts to explore strategies for the determination of the 2019-nCoV virus and diagnosis of COVID-19 rapidly. Several assays are developed for COVID-19 test , including RT-PCR, coronavirus antigens-based immunoassays, and CRISPR-based strategies (Cas13a or Cas12a), etc. Different assays have their advantages and drawbacks, and people should choose the most suitable assay according to their demands. Here, we make a brief introduction about these assays and give a simple overview of them, hoping to help doctors and researchers to select the most suitable assay for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 test (COVID-19 test)
Molecular Methods – strategie used in diagnosis of human Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases are a significant burden on public health and economic stability of societies all over the world. They have been among the leading causes of death and disability and presented growing challenges to health security and human progress for centuries.
Viral vector-based vaccines: Adenovirus (AdV) vector-based vaccines
Adenovirus (AdV) is a member of the family Adenoviridae, whose name derives from their initial isolation from human adenoids in 1953 [42]. It is a medium sized (90-100nm) and non-enveloped virus with an icosahedral nucleocapsid containing a 36kb double stranded DNA genome.
Investigation of novel SARS-CoV-2 variant
SARS-CoV-2 variants if considered to have concerning epidemiological, immunological or
Infectious diseases are a significant burden on public health and economic stability of societies all over the world. They have been among the leading causes of death and disability and presented growing challenges to health security and human progress for centuries.
Investigation of novel SARS-CoV-2 variant
This briefing provides an update on the briefing of 14 January 2021
RT-PCR (Real time -PCR) in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) test
The outbreak of COVID-19, caused by 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), has been a global public health threat and caught the worldwide concern. Scientists throughout the world are sparing all efforts to explore strategies for the determination of the 2019-nCoV virus and diagnosis of COVID-19 rapidly.
SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow antigen tests: evaluation of VUI-202012/01
Working with academic collaborators at the University of Oxford, PHE Porton Down has been evaluating the performance of lateral flow devices (LFDs) since mid-August 2020. Over 60 have been considered to date, approximately 30% of which have progressed to extended evaluation on clinical samples at Phase 3.
Background of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19, 2019-nCoV)
The outbreak of COVID-19, caused by 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), has been a global public health threat and caught the worldwide concern. Scientists throughout the world are sparing all efforts to explore strategies for the determination of the 2019-nCoV virus and diagnosis of COVID-19 rapidly.
New evidence on VUI-202012/01 and review of the public health risk assessment
PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND WITH IMPERIAL COLLEGE, THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE WELLCOME SANGER INSTITUTE
The strategies used in diagnosis of human Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases are a significant burden on public health and economic stability of societies all over the world. They have been among the leading causes of death and disability and presented growing challenges to health security and human progress for centuries.
COVID-19 Guidance and information collection on the new mutant variants
COVID-19 Guidance and information collection on the new mutant variants of the SARS-CoV-2 (2019nCoV) virus
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England
This briefing provides an update on previous briefings up to 1 April 2021
PHE investigating a novel variant of COVID-19
The variant was identified due to Public Health England’s (PHE) proactive and enhanced monitoring following the increase in cases seen in Kent and London. The variant has been named ‘VUI – 202012/01’ (the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020).
DRAFT landscape of COVID-19 candidate vaccines – 10 December 2020
81 candidate vaccines in clinical evaluation
CRISPR-based tools for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) test
View Knowledge Base – Landscape Coronavirus Disease 2019 test (COVID-19 test) in vitro — A comparison of PCR vs Immunoassay vs Crispr-Based test>>
GeneMedi designed a mammalian expression codon-optimized spike mutation/deletion variant vector for COVID-19 SARS-COV-2 (2019nCOV) spike-HV 69-70 Deletion mutation (ΔH69/ΔV70).
Pairwise Align Codons accepts two coding sequences and determines the optimal global alignment
Pairwise Align Codons accepts two coding sequences and determines the optimal global alignment. The scoring matrix used to calculate the alignment is described in?Schneider et al. (2005). Use Pairwise Align Codons to look for conserved coding sequence regions. Only the bases A,C,G,T and U are used in the alignment.
Vaccines development for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel viral pneumonia caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). First discovered in Wuhan, a city in Hubei province of China, COVID-19 has already broken out throughout the world and posed a great threat to the public health, especially in Europe and North America now. Additionally, person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 disease is reported to be extremely rapid [158-160]. To date, more than one million cases were infected with COVID-19 and over 55,000 deaths occurred. Therefore, it is really urgent and noteworthy to develop the vaccines specific to COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England
This briefing provides an update on previous briefings up to 22 May 202
DRAFT landscape of COVID-19 candidate vaccines – 4 JAN 2022
137 candidate vaccines in clinical evaluation
Antibody Drug Nomenclature: What is INN a Name? WHO Has Been Changing Them?
In 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced new definitions for the assignment of antibody international nonproprietary names (INN). A modification of the existing definitions was required because advances in antibody engineering have made classification into the current three main antibody groups
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England
This briefing provides an update on previous briefings up to 13 May 2021