Cell Biology

Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market interpreted by a new report – WhaTech Technology and Markets News

Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market research report also gives information on the Trade Overview, Policy, Regional Market, Production Development, Sales, Regional Trade, Business Operation Data, Market Features, Investment Opportunity, Investment Calculation and other important aspects of the industry.

This Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market research report is focused on providing its reader with all the necessary details that can help them make necessary business decisions. It provides wholesome information that is necessary to understand the market inside-out.

ReportsnReports has recently added a new research report to its expanding repository. The research report, titled Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market, mainly includes a detailed segmentation of this sector, which is expected to generate massive returns by the end of the forecast period, thus showing an appreciable rate of growth over the coming years on an annual basis.

The research study also looks specifically at the need for Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market.

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Report Scope:

The report provides a comprehensive summary of cloud computing for cell biology, genomics and drug design along with detailed profiles of key market players including a revenue product portfolio and recent activities. The report analyzes trends and dynamics including drivers, limitations, challenges and opportunities.

The report discusses strategies adopted by emerging market players with recommendations for new market entrants.

This research study discusses historical, current and potential market size. The report will help market players and new entrants to make informed decisions about the production and export of goods and services, as well as providing organizations, distributors and exporters information about market development and trends.

The study segments the market on the basis of applications and end uses. A geographical market analysis is provided for all major segments.

Report Includes:

43 data tables and 18 additional tables An overview of the global market for cloud computing applications in cell biology, genomics and drug development Analyses of global and regional market trends, with data from 2018 to 2019, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2024 Assessment of market trends and opportunities, key developments and the impact of cloud computing technology on the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare industry verticals Insight into recent developments in cloud infrastructure and information pertaining to key partnerships between cloud service providers and pharma/biotech companies and investment in pharmaceutical R&D sector Discussion of the suppliers landscape, as well as the market positioning and strategies of key manufacturers and suppliers for cloud computing applications Review of patent applications filed regarding cloud computing technology in the U.S. healthcare sector Company profiles of the leading market players, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., DXC Technology, Google LLC, Salesforce.com Inc., and SAP SE

Summary

The global market for cloud computing in cell biology, genomics and drug development is estimated to grow at a CAGR of REDACTED during the forecast period. The market was valued at REDACTED in 2018 and is expected to reach REDACTED in 2024.

In biomedical research, cloud computing has resolved big data concerns and improves data, analytics, collaboration and sharing. Increasing biomedical research based on human, animal, plants, and microbes has increased the dependency on proper storage and network infrastructure as well as secure and scalable computing.

With growing big data concerns, researchers are inclined towards cloud computing platforms. These platforms provide flexibility to users to pay according to their usage of cloud services including software, hardware infrastructure and platforms to solve biomedical computation concerns.

The cloud offers ondemand storage and an analysis facility to users which makes it an emerging computing platform to address big data concerns. Owing to the flexibility and cost-effectiveness, cloud services are gaining significant importance in life science research for data storage, communication and collaboration with stakeholders.

On cloud platforms, large datasets and applications for gene sequencing, image analysis, protein folding and data mining can be shared for collaborative research between facilities.

The major pivotal factors contributing to the growth of the market include rising genomics and proteomics research and the increasing number of clinical trials performed across various countries. Considerable public and private investment in genomics and proteomics research is providing support to biotechnology start-ups and research institutes.

This helps healthcare providers to develop and commercialize genomics technologies and personalized medicines. Increasing U.S. FDA approvals for personalized medicines are supporting the growth in genomics research.

For example, according to the Personalized Medicine Coalition, in 2018, approximately REDACTED of the REDACTED new molecularentities (NMEs) approved by the FDA are personalized medicines which constitute REDACTED of all new drug approvals.

The Coalition classified REDACTED of NMEs as personalized medicines in 2017, REDACTED in 2015 and REDACTED in 2016. The U.S. FDA is making efforts to facilitate access to genomic testing and integration of real-world evidence into its regulatory framework.

As a result, the FDA has begun to authorize the marketing of cancer-related genetic tests, and pharmacogenetics were allowed to be sold directly to the consumers. This has resulted in the development of personalized medicine as an emerging practice of medicine that utilizes the genetic profile of an individual to make appropriate decisions regarding prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

Gaining complete knowledge about the patients genetic profile helps doctors to choose proper therapy or medication and to administer it with the proper regimen or dose. Significant data is generated by sequencing a single human genome which necessitates the adoption of cloud services.

The 1000 Genomes Project is an effort to sequence genomes of at least a thousand people from across the globe to develop the most comprehensive and medically relevant picture of human genetic variation. This initiative intends to make genomic data easily accessible from international research institutions.

Major support for the project is offered by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, England and the Beijing Genomics Institute, Shenzhen (BGI Shenzhen) in China.

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Recent Industry Trend:

The report contains the profiles of various prominent players in the Global Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market. Different strategies implemented by these vendors have been analyzed and studied in order to gain a competitive edge, create unique product portfolios and increase their market share.

The study also sheds light on major global industry vendors. Such essential vendors consist of both new and well-known players.

In addition, the business report contains important data relating to the launch of new products on the market, specific licenses, domestic scenarios and the strategies of the organization implemented on the market.

Scope of the Report:

Through following the Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market through depth, the readers should find this study very helpful. The aspects and details are depicted by charts, bar graphs, pie diagrams, and other visual representations in theCloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market study.

This intensifies the representation of the pictures and also helps to improve the facts of the Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market industry. At a substantial CAGR, the Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market is likely to grow.

Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market reports main objective is to guide the user to understand the market in terms of its definition, classification, industry potential, the latest trends, and the challenges facing the Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market.

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Cloud Computing in Cell Biology, Genomics and Drug Development Market interpreted by a new report - WhaTech Technology and Markets News

Cell Biology

University Of Chicago Medicine Conducting Breakthrough Study On Blood Plasma Treatment For COVID-19 – CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) A possible breakthrough treatment for the novel coronavirus is being tested in Chicago.

Doctors at University of Chicago Medicine are using blood plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to treat those who are seriously ill with the disease.

Assistant Professor of Surgery Dr. Maria Lucia Madariaga joined CBS 2s Brad Edwards and Irika Sargent via Skype on Monday to explain how it works.

So basically, convalescent plasma relies on the principle of passive immunity. Essentially, well be taking plasma which is the liquid part of your blood from a patient who has recovered from the disease, and transfuse it into patients who are currently sick in the hospital, in the hopes of transferring antivirus antibodies to fight COVID-19, Madariaga said.

The study involves several different units and professors at the U of C, particularly Dr. Patrick Wilson whose research is focused on B cell biology and the specificity of expressed antibody molecules. Also involved are the blood bank, the Transplant Institute, the Department of Medicine, and the Department of Surgery, Madariaga said.

The goal, she said, is to understand how convalescent plasma works, how we can best treat patients, and which proteins are the best target for a vaccine.

Convalescent plasma treatment is far from new. Madariaga explained that in the 20th century, it was used to prevent schoolchildren from getting measles.

It has also been used to treat patients with influenza, and with SARS and MERS two respiratory diseases that were also caused by coronaviruses.

Currently, early reports from China suggest that plasma therapy is helpful and safe for COVID-19 patients, Madariaga said.

Right now, plasma donors are needed, Madariaga said. Donors must be 18 or older and must have had a positive COVID-19 test in the past and no longer have symptoms.

Patients who receive the plasma will be those who have severe or life-threatening COVID-19.

The reports that we have right now from around the world, in centers who are using this form of therapy, show that improvements occur in patients. But its too early to say what the exact time course is going to be, Madariaga said.

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University Of Chicago Medicine Conducting Breakthrough Study On Blood Plasma Treatment For COVID-19 - CBS Chicago

Cell Biology

Innate Pharma to Hold Its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on May 19, 2020 Without the Physical Presence of Its Shareholders – BioSpace

MARSEILLE, France, April 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innate Pharma (the Company - Euronext Paris: FR0010331421 IPH) will hold its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) on May 19, 2020 AM in its headquarters, 117 avenue de Luminy, F-13009 Marseille.

The procedures for holding the Combined General Meeting have been adapted in accordance with Article 4 of Ordinance No. 2020-321 of 25 March 2020 adapting the rules for meetings and deliberations of the meetings and governing bodies of legal entities and entities without legal personality under private law due to the Covid-19 epidemic (the "Covid-19 Ordinance").

In accordance with Article 4 of Covid-19 Ordinance, the AGM must be held without the shareholders and other persons entitled to attend being physically present. Shareholders are therefore invited to vote at the general meeting either by mail or by proxy.

The Notice of Meeting of this AGM was published on April 14, 2020, in the French official legal bulletin (BALO). It includes the agenda, the proposed resolutions as well as instructions to participate and vote in this AGM. It is also available on the Companys website.

All documentation regarding this AGM will be published on the Companys website as of today.

Precision regarding the AGM:

Only shareholders having registered their shares at least two business days prior to the date of the AGM, by midnight Paris time, will be able to participate.

Shareholders holding au porteur (bearer) shares will need to obtain an attestation de participation (certificate of shareholding) from their brokers. This attestation de participation must be attached to the proxy form or to the appropriate voting form if shareholders wish to designate a proxy or vote by post.

Written questions from shareholders must be received from the day of the publication of the official convocation to the AGM up until four business days prior to the AGM (by e-mail to investors@innate-pharma.com).

Shareholders may obtain the legal documentation in preparation of the AGM (as described in article R. 225-83 of the French Code de Commerce) by sending a request by e-mail to investors@innate-pharma.com.

About Innate Pharma:

Innate Pharma S.A. is a commercial stage oncology-focused biotech company dedicated to improving treatment and clinical outcomes for patients through therapeutic antibodies that harness the immune system to fight cancer.

Innate Pharmas commercial-stage product, Lumoxiti, in-licensed from AstraZeneca in the US, EU and Switzerland, was approved by the FDA in September 2018. Lumoxiti is a first-in class specialty oncology product for hairy cell leukemia. Innate Pharmas broad pipeline of antibodies includes several potentially first-in-class clinical and preclinical candidates in cancers with high unmet medical need.

Innate has been a pioneer in the understanding of natural killer cell biology and has expanded its expertise in the tumor microenvironment and tumor-antigens, as well as antibody engineering. This innovative approach has resulted in a diversified proprietary portfolio and major alliances with leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi, and a multi-products collaboration with AstraZeneca.

Based in Marseille, France, Innate Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris and Nasdaq in the US.

Learn more about Innate Pharma at http://www.innate-pharma.com

Information about Innate Pharma shares:

Disclaimer:

Neither this press release nor the information contained herein constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for shares in Innate Pharma in any country.

For additional information, please contact:

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Innate Pharma to Hold Its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on May 19, 2020 Without the Physical Presence of Its Shareholders - BioSpace

Cell Biology

FRQS to fund new structural biology centre at McGill University – McGill Newsroom

The health sciences research arm of the Quebec government [Fonds de recherche du Qubec sant (FRQS)] today announced it will provide $2 million to assist in the establishment of the Centre de Recherche en Biologie Structurale (CRBS) at McGill University. The new centre will become the premiere Structural Biology facility in Quebec and a leading centre in Canada, and aims to facilitate structural biology and biophysics for the broader scientific community for the next wave of scientific breakthroughs

Some of the most pressing challenges in medicine today include targeting treatments to specific patients, fighting antibiotic resistance and treating neurological conditions linked to aging. Collectively, these phenomena affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Understanding the fundamental biological mechanisms of disease is essential in order to develop effective treatments. The CRBS will focus the expertise of 38 McGill researchers based in nine different departments in areas such as biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, anatomy and cell biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, parasitology and biology to advance our knowledge of the molecular basis of disease and leveraging biophysical, chemical and synthetic biology for human health worldwide. The Director of the centre will be Dr. Martin Schmeing, and the Associate Director will be Dr. Alba Guarn, both Canada Research Chair holders and accomplished structural biologists.

Structural biology is of fundamental importance for human health research.Creating this new centre will enable us to be on the leading edge of new discoveries, and will maintain the prominence of Quebec as a hub for world-leading medical inquiry."Dr. Martha Crago, Vice Principal, Research & Innovation at McGill University.

McGill University, renowned for its medical research and training abilities, is an ideal location to house the CRBS, as it offers excellent facilities for biophysical training, and the necessary specialized equipment for leading-edge investigations. This includes X-ray diffraction sets, imaging and robotics for crystallization, state-of-the-art equipment for high-resolution biological electron microscopy, mass spectrometers, circular dichroism spectrophotometers, isothermal titration calorimeters and many others.

The CRBS will spearhead a number of new initiatives including:

The establishment of the CRBS supports the strategic goals of both the FRQS and the University. In particular, McGill University has a commitment to advance biomedical and health sciences for healthy populations. The FRQS, meanwhile, is charged with enacting the Strategie Quebecoise de la recherche et de linnovation (SQRI), which aims to develop talent, skills and competencies to increase research capacity and support innovation. The new CRBS will enable both organizations to achieve their long-term objectives while supporting exciting discoveries in fundamental biomedical research.

About McGill UniversityFounded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill is a leading Canadian post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 40,000 students, including more than 10,200 graduate students. McGill attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,800 international students making up 31% per cent of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 19% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.

About the Fonds de recherche du Qubec santThe Fonds de recherche du Qubec Sant promotes and provides financial support for all areas of research in the field of health, including basic, clinical and epidemiological research, research in the field of public health and research in the field of health services.

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FRQS to fund new structural biology centre at McGill University - McGill Newsroom

Biochemistry

Lead the way, Kansas | Gaz – Emporia Gazette

A biochemistry professor at Kansas State University has exactly the right idea: Kansas should aggressively test as many people as possible for the coronavirus.

In a letter to the editor earlier this week, Sally Newton suggested that our state could prove to the rest of the country that this is the way to stop a viral pandemic.

Kansas is not that big, relatively speaking, with a population of 2.9 million people, about a third the size of New York City. The number of confirmed cases is around 500; in New York, there are more than 47,000 confirmed cases

About 5,400 people in Kansas have been tested.

Authorities have doled out the tests in a miserly manner in our state, and in the U.S. generally, because of short supplies. We cant blame local authorities for setting priorities in testing. It is an enormous failure on the part of the federal government.

Other countries are taking a far more aggressive approach: In Germany, theyre testing 500,000 people a week, and theyre looking to ramp up to 200,000 per day. England is aiming for 25,000 people a day by the end of April. Sweden and Austria are at 15,000 tests per day.

The consequence of a lack of testing in the U.S. has been that governments have to shut down everything in order to keep everybody away from each other. Social distancing is a logical response, under those circumstances, in order to keep from overwhelming the health care system. Citizens have to do their part by following those rules, and nothing were saying here is intended to undermine that. In other words, stay home. Its our best shot right now.

But its not ideal. Shuttered businesses mean lost jobs, among other things.

In Kansas, we could pretty much test everybody if the right people and political forces got behind it. Sally Newton, the K-State biochemistry professor, said in the letter we published Sunday, that it could be called the Kansas Experiment, and that could show the rest of the country that its the way to move forward.

Mass testing could allow us to quarantine people who actually have the virus or whove been in contact with people carrying it. That would prevent infected people who dont yet show symptoms from giving it to others. It could also shorten the duration of social distancing, if done right.

Manhattan Mercury

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Lead the way, Kansas | Gaz - Emporia Gazette

Biochemistry

PharmaJet partners with Immunomic Therapeutics and EpiVax to develop and deliver COVID-19 Vaccine – BioSpace

GOLDEN, Colo., April 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --PharmaJet, the maker of innovative, needle-free injection technology, today announced that its TropisNeedle-free injection system will be used to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc. (ITI). ITI is a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering the study of nucleic acid immunotherapy platforms using the body's natural biochemistry to generate a broad immune response. The vaccine candidate against COVID-19 will leverage their investigational UNiversal Intracellular Targeted Expression (UNITETM) platform.

ITI will develop its vaccine in collaboration with EpiVax and PharmaJet, Inc. They aim to deliver a scalable approach that could be applied prophylactically and therapeutically, while being safe and immunogenic. PharmaJet's well established Tropis Needle-free Injection System has been chosen because it precisely targets delivery to the intradermal tissue depth.

Chris Cappello, President and CEO, PharmaJet, Inc., said, "We are pleased to be working with ITI and EpiVax to provide our delivery system for the development of a vaccine to fight COVID-19. Additionally, PharmaJet has been actively working with U.S. federal agencies such as BARDA and the Department of Defense on their global pandemic programs. The Tropis system is already being used to eradicate diseases, such as polio, and has proven very effective in mass immunization campaigns."

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the 201920 coronavirus pandemic is a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19.

For more information about PharmaJet visit http://www.pharmajet.com.

View the joint press release here.

Refer to Instructions for Use to ensure safe injections and to review risks.

About PharmaJetPharmaJet's mission is worldwide acceptance of PharmaJet needle-free injection systems as a standard of care in the vaccine delivery market. The PharmaJet Needle-free systems are safe, fast and easy-to-use. They eliminate needlestick injuries, needle reuse and cross contamination, and help reduce sharps waste disposal.

CONTACT:Nancy LillieNancy.Lillie@pharmajet.com1-888-900-4321 Option 3

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PharmaJet partners with Immunomic Therapeutics and EpiVax to develop and deliver COVID-19 Vaccine - BioSpace

Immunology

Temple researchers receive NIAID grant to study immunological synapse formation – News-Medical.Net

Reviewed by Emily Henderson, B.Sc.Apr 14 2020

Switching immune cells on is a critical step in combating infection. In the case of T cells, which are key players in immunity, this happens when dormant T cells circulating in the blood encounter a suspicious agent on the surface of specialized antigen-presenting cells (APCs). APCs detect and pick up foreign agents they encounter as part of routine immune surveillance.

In order for T cells to get a good read on foreign molecules, they must establish a close communication interface with APCs. This interface, known as an immunological synapse, is vital to T-cell activation. Researchers have been doggedly pursuing a greater understanding of what happens during synapse formation and how these events shape immune responses against everything from the common cold to novel infections to cancer.

Now, thanks to a new $1.98M grant from the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM) are poised to make major headway into the study of immunological synapse formation.

T-cell activation is vital for immunity, for fighting off infectious diseases. We're living through a pandemic right now, and COVID-19 is showing us why it is so important to develop a deeper knowledge of the mechanisms underlying T-cell activation."

Jonathan Soboloff, PhD, Professor of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biochemistry at the Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology at LKSOM, and senior investigator on the new grant

A major goal of the research funded by the new NIAID award is to identify the role in immunological synapse formation of a molecule known as STIM1. STIM1 is a calcium sensor located within the endoplasmic reticulum, a continuous membrane system in the cell that functions in part in protein folding and transport. In previously published work within the field, STIM1 was shown to move to the side of the T cell where the immunological synapse forms. Dr. Soboloff and colleagues have found that STIM1 localization to the immunological synapse raises local calcium levels, leading to the loading of calcium into mitochondria - the energy-supplying powerhouses of cells.

These observations suggest that STIM1 supports mitochondrial function during T-cell activation. "Using novel STIM1 mutants, we will determine what makes STIM1 move to the immunological synapse during T cell activation," Dr. Soboloff said. "This will also allow us to characterize its impact on cellular metabolism to better define how STIM1 and calcium regulation impact T-cell activation."

Under the new grant, Dr. Soboloff also plans to investigate the role of proteins known as septins in immunological synapse formation and the activation of immune cells. Septins provide a sort of scaffolding inside cells that influences protein movement to specific locations and that creates barriers to prevent proteins from leaving cellular compartments. While septins are known to contribute to STIM1 function in some contexts, there are no publications regarding their involvement in protein localization during the formation of the immunological synapse.

"Ultimately, through experiments in cell lines and mouse models, we want to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms driving STIM1 translocation and determine the physiological relevance of this process," Dr Soboloff explained. "In addition to extending our understanding of STIM1 in the context of T-cell activation, new knowledge of how these mechanisms are applied could lead to novel insight into the significance of STIM1 regulation in cellular metabolism and its implications more generally in cell biology."

The NIAID award provides support for Dr. Soboloff's research into STIM1 and T-cell activation through March 2025. Co-investigators on the award include Yi Zhang, MD, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, and John Elrod, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Associate Professor at the Center for Translational Medicine and the Alzheimer's Center at Temple.

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Temple researchers receive NIAID grant to study immunological synapse formation - News-Medical.Net

Immunology

What it means to be immune to coronavirus – Mashable

The coronavirus is a vexing parasite.

Around one in four infected people may have no symptoms, as far as experts currently know (the disease is new, so these numbers aren't yet fully certain). So it leaves many of us with a burning question: Is it possible you were infected, but didn't get sick?

It's a question of paramount importance. A bedrock of immunology (the study of how the body defends against infections) is if a virus infects you and you fight off the infection you develop an immunity to it for some time, even if you had mild symptoms. This means, after you eventually get a blood test to show immunity, you could then safely reenter society without immediately catching and spreading the respiratory disease COVID-19.

"The golden rule of immunology is if you are infected with a virus, get sick, and recover, you probably won't get reinfected with the same virus," said Mark Cameron, an immunologist at Case Western Reserve University who previously helped contain the outbreak of another deadly coronavirus, SARS, in 2003.

When exposed to a new virus, the body will soon create defensive proteins in your bloodstream, called antibodies, that block the virus from successfully hijacking the body's cells in the future. (That's why vaccines which encourage your body to make antibodies work, and the U.S. eradicated polio over 30 years ago).

This is happening with the new coronavirus, too, but disease experts must observe the response of recovered coronavirus patients to understand how effective this immunity is, how long it will last, and if some people can be reinfected. The CDC, for example, just started recruiting Americans to see who has been infected and made antibodies. People infected with SARS developed immunity for an average of two to three years.

"It's very likely if you got exposed that you mounted a response and you would have antibodies," explained Dr. Vince Silenzio, an M.D. and professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health. "We are fairly certain people are becoming immune [to the new coronavirus]."

And critically, just because someone had a mild response or showed no symptoms at all there's no conclusive evidence they build up a weaker immune defense against the coronavirus, officially named SARS-CoV-2.

"The bottom line is it's not necessarily true yet that people with mild infections have less of an immune response," said Silenzio.

"Asymptomatic infections are just as likely to grant immunity to the bearer as frank infections [meaning infections that cause disease], despite the challenge in identifying these infections and the risk of spread they entail," agreed Cameron.

Why, though, might a significant number of people have such mild (or no) symptoms to this new coronavirus? There could be genetic or health differences that make it more difficult for the coronaviruses to infect a cell. It's also possible that people with milder infections were only exposed to a tiny amount of the virus (like someone picking up just a few particles off a piece of mail versus an ER doctor getting sprayed with millions of viral particles). "It's possible that asymptomatic people were exposed to a much lower dose," said Brian Baker, a biochemist at the University of Notre Dame.

The reason there are severe, mild, and asymptomatic infections will be intensively researched throughout this year, and beyond. Although researchers have learned a great amount about this microbe, the virus is still new to science. After all, this coronavirus only spilled over to humans from other animal species in the last five months. "We dont have all the answers yet," Silenzio said. "But on the other hand," he added, "it's amazing we have as many answers as we do."

As far as peoples' future immunity is concerned, there are still some weighty questions out there. For example, there are recent reports out of South Korea and China of people who supposedly already had coronavirus, but then tested positive for the infection again. This would challenge the idea they developed immunity. "There is some controversy currently regarding whether people are truly immune to COVID-19 once they have it, because there have been stories to the contrary," said Cameron.

"This virus is teaching us new stories"

There's an explanation, however, for these reinfections. There's evidence the virus may have temporarily eased off in these patients, and later picked up steam again. So it could have been the same infection all along not someone getting sick from a new infection. "Infection causes different courses of disease in people that's not unusual," explained Cameron.

Another looming question is how long immunity to the new coronavirus may last, either after recovering from an infection or getting a vaccine (when one becomes available in 2021 at the earliest). For example, if the coronavirus mutates too much, the body's immunity is lost. "Some viruses change rapidly and some don't change rapidly," said Notre Dame's Baker.

The polio virus, for example, doesn't mutate quickly. So a polio vaccination (which sparks the body to produce new antibodies) generally lasts one's entire life. But other viruses, like influenza, mutate constantly and require those annual flu shots you're so familiar with.

The good news is the new coronavirus hasn't been mutating quickly so far, explained Baker. This means it's relatively stable. We don't know how long immunity might last, but this virus is unlikely to change so fast it will reinfect people or outpace forthcoming vaccines, said Cameron.

At the end of the day, this coronavirus may unwittingly help humanity tame the pandemic. While it's true that asymptomatic people can spread the virus when they're infected (that's why everyone must social distance right now), if one in four infected people are truly asymptomatic, that means that likely millions of people will ultimately develop immunity whether they know it or not and won't be able to spread the virus around until we get a vaccine. "That would be a good thing," said Baker.

"We can count on the fact that the vast majority of COVID infections will cause immunity," said Cameron, noting that a vaccine will then only add to the number of immune people. Ultimately, this is how we end this grim pandemic, now that we've failed to contain it.

Though immunologists have an ever-strengthening grip on this coronavirus, they're aware the microbe is still revealing itself. Each day scientists around the globe learn more about how it behaves and infects people. So stay tuned for an improved understanding of how immunity will play out with SARS-CoV-2, a virus that's on pace to kill some 68,000 Americans by August (but likely many more if we don't sustain extreme social distancing measures).

"This virus is teaching us new stories," said Cameron. "The story is not yet written."

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What it means to be immune to coronavirus - Mashable

Immunology

Study looks at chance of social distancing continuing through 2022 – MyNorthwest.com

A sign posted at a Seattle Costco warehouse. (MyNorthwest photo)

A new study looks to understand the future of how COVID-19 will spread in the postpandemic period, and just how long well need social distancing measures.

The study, authored by five researchers fromthe Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Department of Epidemiology at Harvards School of Public Health, was published on ScienceMag.org on Tuesday.

Research paper claims social distancing needed for 18 months or more

The various models implemented by the study present a range of possible outcomes, including a scenario where the outbreak completely ends in 2022, with some social distancing measures relaxed by early-to-mid-2021.

An improved outlook will be largely dependent on new therapeutics, vaccines, or other interventions such as contact tracing and quarantine.

In the absence of such interventions, surveillance and intermittent distancing may need to be maintained into 2022, it estimates.

That being so, the study also points out that any social distancing measures extending into 2022 present a substantial social and economic burden. It lists a handful of urgent priorities well need to focus on if were to avoid that future.

That includes:

The study also looks into how the virus might spread seasonally in the months and years ahead, predicting that we could very well see regularly recurring winter outbreaks. Additionally, even after the pandemic is completely under control this year, it warns that we could see a resurgence as late as 2024.

While it acknowledges that SARS the closest genetic relative to coronavirus was largely eradicated by intensive public health measures, most public health officials consider this scenario unlikely.

State Superintendent says school closures likely to fall and beyond

Alternatively, the transmission of (COVID-19) could resemble that of pandemic influenza by circulating seasonally after causing an initial global wave of infection, the study concludes.

The study closes by noting that its goal is less to endorse social distancing measures years into the future, and more to identify likely trajectories of the epidemic under alternative approaches and to spur innovative ideas to expand the list of options to bring the pandemic under long-term control.

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Study looks at chance of social distancing continuing through 2022 - MyNorthwest.com

Immunology

Disease Research Leads in Colorado – AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST – AGInfo Ag Information Network Of The West

Scientists around the world are racing to find a vaccine or treatment that will hinder the coronavirus harmless, each taking a unique trajectory.

In Colorado top agriculture and animal research is leading the way toward potential breakthroughs. Colorado State University VP for Research Alan Rudolph.

We study the immunological profile of the virus and the host or host response in animals to better understand the immunological profile and try to translate that to humans. There is research on immunology in animals that were doing. The other thing that the animal community is aware of is that alpacas are used to create thermostable antibodies for use in the current Covid response. In fact were doing that research at CSU on alpacas to explore whether they can produce stable antibodies against disease. There are other groups looking at how to create smiliare types of reagents that could be used in the Covid response using the immunological response from animals.

Nearby CSU engineers and infectious disease researchers have been developing a low-cost sprayable disinfectant that kills the virus that causes COVID-19 and that can be brought to market quickly working with a design firm in Ft. Collins. The technology deactivates the virus by rendering it incapable of replicating. Local researchers are using similar technology to develop a vaccine for the disease.

Dr. Rudolph says CSUs Infections Disease Research and Response Program is allowing researchers to quickly take their ideas and put them into practice.

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Disease Research Leads in Colorado - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST - AGInfo Ag Information Network Of The West