Project description:Monitoring microbial communities can aid in understanding the state of these habitats. Environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques provide efficient and comprehensive monitoring by capturing broader diversity. Besides structural profiling, eDNA methods allow the study of functional profiles, encompassing the genes within the microbial community. In this study, three methodologies were compared for functional profiling of microbial communities in estuarine and coastal sites in the Bay of Biscay. The methodologies included inference from 16S metabarcoding data using Tax4Fun, GeoChip microarrays, and shotgun metagenomics.
Project description:The continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and persistent inflammatory complications of COVID-19 highlight the urgent need for therapeutics with both antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite intensive global efforts, no approved antiviral therapy with these dual functions has yet been developed, representing a significant gap in current COVID-19 treatment strategies. In this study, we identify BAY 11-7082 (BAY) as a dual–action compound that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and the production of virus-induced proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, and CXCL2. BAY predominantly exerts its antiviral activity at the post-entry stage of the viral life cycle. Mechanistically, BAY potentially interacts with SARS-CoV-2 NSP14 and inhibits virus-induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, suppressing NF-κB activation through the IKK-IκBα signaling axis. Furthermore, BAY exhibits potent antiviral activity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Collectively, these findings support the potential of BAY as a dual-action therapeutic candidate, combining antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, against SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants.
Project description:The continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and persistent inflammatory complications of COVID-19 highlight the urgent need for therapeutics with both antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite intensive global efforts, no approved antiviral therapy with these dual functions has yet been developed, representing a significant gap in current COVID-19 treatment strategies. In this study, we identify BAY 11-7082 (BAY) as a dual–action compound that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and the production of virus-induced proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, and CXCL2. BAY predominantly exerts its antiviral activity at the post-entry stage of the viral life cycle. Mechanistically, BAY potentially interacts with SARS-CoV-2 NSP14 and inhibits virus-induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, suppressing NF-κB activation through the IKK-IκBα signaling axis. Furthermore, BAY exhibits potent antiviral activity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Collectively, these findings support the potential of BAY as a dual-action therapeutic candidate, combining antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, against SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants.