COVID-19 Bulletin
An RSB communication on the bioscience behind the outbreak and response
Published by the Royal Society of Biology
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20 March 2020
An excerpt from the Royal Society of Biology COVID-19 Bulletin#
Academia Europaea would like to share the COVID-19 Bulletin of the Royal Society of Biology.
RSB Chief Executive Dr Mark Downs FRSB writes:
This bulletin draws together current bioscience research and knowledge to help facilitate community understanding andresponse. It provides links to published news articles, publications and webpages.
The material presented is not intended to be comprehensiveand is up to date as of the date of publication, giving just a glimpse of the huge efforts worldwide to understand SARS-CoV-2 and its effects. It is inevitable that some material will require specialist knowledge, but we hope it provides a useful snapshot for interested readers. Research outcomes and conclusions may evolve overtime, and readers should take action on the basis of medical advice and the latest advice from government, rather than necessarily relying solely on specific pieces of early research.
This bulletin is divided into the following sections [excerpt]:#
Research updates: collating relevant research news and outputs under topic headings.
How else can the bioscience community help? Listing current calls for resource andexpertise.
Positive community news: some examples of community impact aiding response to thepandemic.
Regularly updated information sources: providing a collection of links to useful onlineinformation hubs.
Research Updates#
SARS-CoV-2 is a virus in the zoonotic coronavirus family. This novel virus, discovered in 2019,was previously unidentified in humans and causes the disease COVID-19, which has reached pandemic proportions in the global human population.
Science Media Centre Factsheet
SARS-CoV-2 virus characteristics
The species: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus: classifying 2019-nCoV andnaming it SARS-CoV-2
The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2
High Temperature and High Humidity Reduce the Transmission of COVID-19
New coronavirus stable for hours on surfaces
SARS-CoV-2 stability similar to original SARS virus.
Genomic epidemiology of novel coronavirus
Scientists are crowd-sourcing genomic information on SARS-CoV-2 strains from around the worldto track the evolution and phylogenetic tree of the virus
Novel coronavirus structure reveals targets for vaccines and treatments
Why does the coronavirus spread so easily between people?
Researchers have identified microscopic features that could make the pathogen more infectiousthan the SARS virus — and serve as drug targets.
Pathogenicity and transmissibility of 2019-nCoV—A quick overview and comparison with otheremerging viruses
(2015) A SARS-like cluster of circulating bat coronaviruses shows potential for human emergence
COVID-19 pathophysiology
Asymptomatic carrier state, acute respiratory disease, and pneumonia due to severe acuterespiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Facts and myths
New analysis breaks down age-group risk for coronavirus - and shows millennials are notinvincible
Epidemiology and public health response
The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: what we know
Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to reduce COVID-19 mortality and healthcaredemand
Substantial undocumented infection facilitates the rapid dissemination of novel coronavirus(SARS-CoV2)
CoVID 19 Worldwide Growth Rates
Analysis of the COVID-19 Epidemic
Spatial and temporal spread of the infection modelled by the Laboratory for the Modelling ofBiological and Socio-technical Systems under varying surveillance and containment scenarios
Exclusive: Here's How Fast the Coronavirus Could Infect Over 1 Million Americans
No evidence of COVID-19 transmission through food, says EFSA
There is currently “no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission” of the novelcoronavirus, COVID-19, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has concluded.
How will country-based mitigation measures influence the course of the COVID-19 epidemic?
Mass testing, school closings, lockdowns: Countries pick tactics in 'war' against coronavirus
Testing and ongoing surveillance
Development and Clinical Application of A Rapid IgM-IgG Combined Antibody Test for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Diagnosis
Why the CDC botched its coronavirus testing
The first testing kits from the Centers for Disease Control had a simple fault, and red tapeprevented other labs from creating their own.
Prophylaxis and treatment
(WHO) Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection when novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection is suspected: interim guidance, 28 January 2020
ISIN Position Statement on Nutrition, Immunity and COVID-19
Experimental lung drug to be tested on UK coronavirus patients
Biotech firm Synairgen will trial SNG001 inhaler on 100 people in race to find cure
Hundreds of Scientists Scramble to Find a Coronavirus Treatment
In an ambitious international collaboration, researchers have "mapped" proteins in thecoronavirus and identified 50 drugs to test against it.
Coronavirus vaccines: five key questions as trials begin
Some experts warn that accelerated testing will involve some risky trade-offs.
NIH clinical trial of investigational vaccine for COVID-19 begins
Trials to begin on Covid-19 vaccine in UK next month
Researchers hope to conduct animal tests next week and safety trials as early as next month
How else can the bioscience community help?#
Coronavirus: PM urges industry to help make NHS ventilators
BIA Webinar: What can our community do to support the global effort on COVID-19?
UCL Coronavirus Response Fund
Contact RSB to discuss bioscience community issues or actions via policy@rsb.org.uk
Positive community news#
The hunt for a coronavirus cure is showing how science can change for the better
Mologic awarded c.£1 million by UK government to develop rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19
ICC-WHO Joint Statement: An unprecedented private sector call to action to tackle COVID-19
Elsevier gives full access to COVID-19 research and data
Global leader in research publishing and information analytics, Elsevier, has opened access to allits COVID-19 research and data.
Publishers make coronavirus (COVID-19) content freely available and reusable
Podcast Extra: Coronavirus - science in the pandemic
Nick Howe investigates how researchers around the world are answering the call for science.
Regularly updated information sources#
(NHS) Overview - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response
WHO information page
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine COVID-19 information page
(Royal Society) Sharing research data and findings relevant to the novel coronavirus (nCoV)outbreak
Updated collection of research papers curated by the Royal Society
The Lancet COVID-19 resource centre
(NEJM) Coronavirus (Covid-19)
A collection of articles and other resources on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, includingclinical reports, management guidelines, and commentary.
(JAMA) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Check back here for updates on COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment
IDSA COVID-19 resource centre
(Nature) Coronavirus latest: Italy death toll overtakes China's
Updates on the respiratory illness that has infected tens of thousands of people and killed severalthousand.
(AAAS Science Magazine) Coronavirus: Research, Commentary, and News
(BBC) Coronavirus: What next in the UK coronavirus fight?
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Please note: This bulletin includes links to external articles or other resources. Views or opinions presented there are those of the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Royal Society of Biology or Academia Europaea. #
