The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted teaching. Social distancing measures have encouraged distance learning, especially in higher education. Unfortunately on-line courses require resources which some universities do not possess, thereby accentuating inequalities. Lectures, often in front of hundreds of students, have for a long time been a cornerstone in the teaching of science, technology, engineering and […]

The UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 was discovered in the United Kingdom in September 2020. It carries numerous mutations, notably in the spike (S) surface protein, and seems much more infectious than other variants. Initial studies did not indicate changes in the illness’ severity. However, researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have […]

We are currently still not able to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2, due to limited vaccination and the emergence of new variants of the virus. These variants show in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, as is the case with numerous viruses. One of these variants, the UK variant, was discovered in September 2020 in the United Kingdom. […]

The mortality rate from COVID-19 is about 2%. But today there is no really effective treatment that is specific to infections from a coronavirus. Remdesivir is the principal treatment used to shorten recovery times. However, it is does not work well in severe cases and needs to be administered intravenously.  What about other treatment options? […]

The absence of pre-existing immunity against SARS-CoV-2 coupled with its high interhuman transmissibility led to the COVID-19 pandemic that we are currently experiencing. Several vaccines are now available, but it will still be some time before we have adequate vaccine coverage due to the time scales of production and distribution. In addition, the protection the […]

Infection by SARS-CoV-2 causes heart damage or abnormalities in 20 to 30% of hospitalized patients and increases the risk of death in those with a history of heart disease. Unfortunately, we do not know enough about how this comes about. Amongst possible explanations, we know that some pro-inflammatory cytokines such as the TNF (Tumor Necrosis […]

The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is the principal target of vaccines but also of antibody treatments. It is organized in trimers (the association of 3 identical proteins) on the surface of the virus and is made up of the S1 domain, containing the RBD (Receptor Binding Domain) which interacts with the ACE2 cellular receptor, […]

The SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) surface protein plays an important role in the entry of the viral particle into cells. It is therefore the primary target of neutralizing antibodies. The enzyme that replicates the SARS-CoV-2 genome, as with other viruses, commits errors – mutations – which evolve under different selection pressures including that of the immune […]

Many viruses that emerge have their origins in Chiropterans, better known as bats. This is the case with the Hendra, Nipah, Marburg, rabies, Ebola, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. These zoonoses (meaning transmission from animals to humans) are made possible by the particular characteristics of bats, which provide an ideal reservoir for viruses. While the […]

Contagious illnesses influence the social behaviour of individuals, which in turn alters the pathogen’s spreading patterns and the future outcome of the epidemic. We talk of coevolution. The notion of social distancing has become familiar to us since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic and its implementation does effectively reduce the virus’ spreading. Despite this […]