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The SARS-CoV-2 virus mutates fast. That’s a concern because these more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2 are now present in the U.S., U.K. and South Africa and other countries, and many people are wondering whether the current vaccines will protect the recipients from the virus. Furthermore, many question whether we will we be able to keep ahead of future variants of SARS-CoV-2, which will certainly arise.

In my laboratory I study the molecular structure of RNA viruses – like the one that causes COVID-19 – and how they replicate and multiply in the host. As the virus infects more people and the pandemic spreads, SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. This process of evolution is constant and it allows the virus to sample its environment and select changes that make it grow more efficiently. Thus, it is important to monitor viruses for such new mutations that could make them more deadly, more transmissible or both.

This can turn out to be a very important and useful invention for medical science. The elastic and adhesive glue quickly seals wounds after application, without the need of stitches or staples. The glue, called ‘Metro’, quickly seals wounds in just 60 seconds. The gel-like material of the wound glue is activated by Ultraviolet (UV) light and it dissolves shortly after. Metro glue’s elasticity makes it ideal for sealing wounds in body tissues that continually expand and relax like the heart or lungs. The glue has been successfully tested on rodents and pigs. It will soon be used in human trials. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, who is the chairperson of Biocon — Asia’s leading Biopharmaceuticals enterprise, shared a video about the wound glue. The video by In The Know, shows how the Metro glue works.


Glue for wounds!
https://twitter.com/kiranshaw/status/1357879020440854528

Facilitating Novel Health-Tech and Bio-Medical Innovations For Over 9 Million Veterans — Dr. Rachel Ramoni, Chief of R&D, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.


Dr. Rachel Ramoni, is the Chief Research and Development Officer of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where she oversees their nationwide research enterprise, encompassing some 2000 active projects, at more than 100 sites, with a total budget of $2 billion in both direct VA support, and research funding from outside entities such as the National Institutes of Health, other federal agencies, and nonprofit and private organizations.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal Cabinet-level agency that provides comprehensive healthcare services to military veterans at over 1000 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the US – It also provides several non-healthcare benefits including disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance; and provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members.

The VA serves over 9 million enrolled Veterans each year, employs over 377000 people with an annual budget of $200 billion.

Dr. Ramoni earned a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, as well as a Master of Science and Doctor of Science in epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Excerpts from an enlightening interview / conversation conducted by Brian Kennedy with Matt Kaeberlein on the biology of aging.
The interview took place in November 2020 as the first one under the healthy longevity webinar series organized by Brian Kennedy from the National University of Singapure (NUS).

During the conversation, Matt Kaeberlein makes a nice description about what aging is, as well as about therapies, drugs and other interventions that, at least in animals of various kinds, manage to modulate (delay / reverse) the progress of aging.

Among other projects, Matt Kaeberlein tells us that he’s planning to conduct an evaluation of various antiaging interventions in dogs.

To watch the entire interview, which has no waste, follow the link in the description of the video.


The interview took place in November 2020 as the first one under the healthy longevity webinar series organized by Dr. Brian Kennedy from the National University of Singapure (NUS).

The human species has driven the planet’s biodiversity into an unprecedented decline, with as many as 1 million species at risk. Traditional conservation methods alone are struggling to offset the speed at which we’re losing species. Biotechnologies that have been developing in the wings are now being brought forward to potentially reverse the damage already done. Meet the scientist behind de-extinction.

#Moonshot #Science #BloombergQuicktake.
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Harvard’s Capasso Group has scaled up the achromatic metalens to 2mm in diameter. That may not sound like much, but it is plenty for virtual reality contact lenses. The human pupil is 7mm at widest. These guys are going to beat Mojo Lens to the finish line for smart contact lenses.


Read the latest updates on coronavirus from Harvard University. For SEAS specific-updates, please visit SEAS & FAS Division of Science: Coronavirus FAQs.