New outbreaks of infectious diseases
Academician GAO Fu’s group report the Atypical TNF-TNFR superfamily binding interface in the GITR-GITRL complex for T cell activation
Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related protein (GITR) is a critical regulatory molecule in modulation of T cell immune responses. Academician GAO Fu’s group report the mouse GITR (mGITR) and mGITR ligand (mGITRL) complex structure and find that the binding interface of mGITR and mGITRL is distinct from the typical tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF)/TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) members. mGITR binds to its ligand with a single domain, whereas the binding i
2021-12-21
CEEID research network present multiple potential locations as the natural reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2, and call for global collaboration for tracing the origins of SARS-CoV-2
The origins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remain elusive; understanding how, when, and where SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted from its natural reservoir to human beings is crucial for preventing future coronavirus outbreaks. With the lessons learned from the endless battle against pathogens and accumulated research data with regard to the origins and intermediate hosts, CEEID research network present multiple potential locations as the natural reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2
2021-12-21
Academician GAO Fu’s group proposed the concept of “plants, microbiome, and microbial metabolites ecosystem” for the effective assessment and modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas
Article access: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mBio.02220-21Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused huge deaths and economic losses worldwide in the current pandemic. A traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCM) has played an important role in the treatment of COVID-19 in China. However, the mechanism of TCM action is still unclear. Academician GAO Fu’s group identified leupeptin, a metabolite produced by plant-symbiotic actinomyces (PSA), which showed antiviral activity in both cel
2021-12-21VarEPS was developed as an evaluation and prewarning system of known and virtual variations of SARS-CoV-2 genomes
The genomic variations of SARS-CoV-2 continue to emerge and spread worldwide. Some mutant strains show increased transmissibility and virulence, which may cause reduced protection provided by vaccines. Thus, it is necessary to continuously monitor and analyze the genomic variations of SARS-COV-2 genomes. The research team from CAS Institute of Microbiology, CAS Computer Network Information Center and Peking University established an evaluation and prewarning system, SARS-CoV-2 variations evaluat
2021-12-21
Large scale production of cooling mask to help epidemic prevention
With the recurrence and uncertainty of global epidemic, masks play an indispensable role in daily life. When wearing a mask in hot summer, the internal temperature and humidity will continue to rise, resulting in discomfort such as suffocation, hypoxia and dizziness. Therefore, it is urgent to develop a cooling mask, improve the comfort of the general public and medical workers in hot environment. Especially "the Belt and Road" countries that most of them are hot, such as Southeast Asi
2021-11-26
