Transfer of genes from genetically-modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to naturally-occurring ones were seen in Brazil where transgenic mosquitoes were released from June 2013 to September 2015. Contrary to claims made, genes from genetically-modified Aedes aegypti mosquito were found to have been transferred to naturally-occurring A. aegypti mosquito population in three areas in Brazil where transgenic mosquitoes … Continue reading Transgenic mosquitoes transfer genes to native mosquito species
chikungunya
Siddha drug nilavembu kudineer kills dengue virus, protects from chikungunya
ICGEB researchers have found that the Siddha medicine nilavembu kudineer provides protection against chikungunya virus and treats dengue infection. The nilavembu kudineer formulation was found t be safe for use in humans. Safety, efficacy and mode of action of the formulation will be studied using mice models. Under in vitro conditions, nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) … Continue reading Siddha drug nilavembu kudineer kills dengue virus, protects from chikungunya
Podcast: Treating chikungunya using tamarind seed protein
Shailly Tomar of IIT Roorkee explains how her team found a protein in tamarind seeds that binds to NAG sugar molecule on chikungunya virus and reduces infectivity by 64% and RNA levels inside infected cells by nearly 45%.
IIT Roorkee team uses tamarind seed protein to treat chikungunya
IIT Roorkee researchers have found that a protein (TCLL) in tamarind seeds binds to NAG sugar molecule on chikungunya virus and reduces infectivity by 64% and RNA levels inside infected cells by nearly 45%. The TCLL protein can bind to glycan found on nearly 30 members of the alphavirus genus. So the finding has huge implications. Researchers … Continue reading IIT Roorkee team uses tamarind seed protein to treat chikungunya
IIT Roorkee finds a potent antiviral molecule to treat chikungunya
Of the two small molecules tested, IIT Roorkee researchers have found one of them has good antiviral activity against chikungunya virus. The small molecule was able to achieve almost 99% reduction in the virus when 5 microMolar of the molecule was used. The molecule is highly specific to chikungunya virus. A team of researchers at the Indian … Continue reading IIT Roorkee finds a potent antiviral molecule to treat chikungunya
Manu Prakash makes mosquito surveillance using mobile phones possible
Dr. Manu Prakash is once again at his best — solving complex problems in an extraordinarily simple fashion. Using wingbeat sound, location and time of recording, Dr. Prakash and his team from Standford University hope to make real-time global maps of mosquito distributions, which could help design better strategies to control mosquitoes and combat mosquito-borne diseases. … Continue reading Manu Prakash makes mosquito surveillance using mobile phones possible
IIT Roorkee team repurposes a drug for chikungunya
The Piperazine drug used for treating worm infections and HIV has been able to inhibit the replication of chikungunya virus by nearly 98%. A drug to treat chikungunya virus infection is in the offing, and in vitro studies carried out by a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee show promise. Currently, there … Continue reading IIT Roorkee team repurposes a drug for chikungunya
Sun Pharma, NIV to jointly test drugs for Zika, chikungunya and dengue
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune signed an agreement for testing phytopharmaceutical, biologic and chemical entities developed by Sun Pharma against Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses. Sun Pharma will provide drug molecules to NIV for testing against Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses. “A couple of interesting phytopharmaceutical candidates against … Continue reading Sun Pharma, NIV to jointly test drugs for Zika, chikungunya and dengue
Bharat Biotech has begun chikungunya vaccine Phase I trial
The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has begun a Phase I human clinical trial of the indigenously developed chikungunya vaccine three months ago. The vaccine uses a killed virus. The Phase I trial will test mainly for safety and the ability of the vaccine to provoke an immune response in the body. The higher the immune response … Continue reading Bharat Biotech has begun chikungunya vaccine Phase I trial
Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes less capable of spreading Zika, chikunguya
With conventional vector controlling measures against dengue- and Zika-causing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes failing, several countries have started caged and even open field trials using genetically modified mosquitoes. India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Monash University for using Wolbachia-infected A. aegypti mosquitoes for vector control. Dengue, Zika or chikunguya viruses cannot replicate when mosquitoes have been infected … Continue reading Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes less capable of spreading Zika, chikunguya
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