January 9, 2023B.C. sea sponge has COVID-blocking powersUBC researchers have identified three compounds that prevent COVID-19 infection in human cells, derived from natural sources including a B.C. sea sponge. Dr. François Jean The discovery paves the way for the development of new medicines for COVID-19 variants made from natural sources. And given...Learn more
December 14, 2022From COVID-19 to the common cold: UBC scientists identify broadly effective, infection-halting compoundResearchers at UBC’s Life Sciences Institute have identified a compound that shows early promise at halting infections from a range of coronaviruses, including all variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the common cold. Dr. Yossef Av-Gay The findings, published this week in Molecular Biomedicine , reveal a...Learn more
October 5, 2022UBC Researchers Receive Federal Support to Advance mRNA Vaccine TechnologiesUBC faculty of medicine researchers received $11.1 million for two new projects to advance mRNA vaccine technologies and boost the impact of B.C. biotechnology on the global stage.Learn more
September 27, 2022Photo exhibit shows pandemic through the cameras of older adultsVancouver can be a lonely city, even more so for older people. And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic forced residents to stay home. Before the pandemic, UBC PhD candidate Callista Ottoni had been planning to study the role social connections play in the health of older adults. Stay-at-home...Learn more
September 23, 2022Converging epidemics: COVID-19 lockdown may have accelerated HIV transmission in some at-risk populationsA new study led by researchers at UBC and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is shedding light on how COVID-19 pandemic restrictions impacted another long-standing public health threat — HIV. The study, published in the Lancet Regional Health – Americas , examined HIV transmission...Learn more
September 23, 2022COVID-19 lockdown may have accelerated HIV transmission in some at-risk populationsA new study led by researchers at UBC and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is shedding light on how COVID-19 pandemic restrictions impacted another long-standing public health threat — HIV. The study, published in the Lancet Regional Health – Americas , examined HIV transmission...Learn more
September 1, 2022UBC experts on new Omicron-specific vaccineHealth Canada has approved a vaccine by Moderna that specifically targets the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. UBC experts are available to comment. Dr. Horacio Bach ( he/him ) Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine Cell: 604-727-9719 Email: hbach@mail.ubc...Learn more
August 22, 2022Children are entering a fourth school year in a pandemic — expert advice for parentsDr. Manish Sadarangani As children head back for a fourth school year with COVID-19, many parents are hoping their kids will be able to enjoy a mostly normal school experience. But with new variants circulating and respiratory virus season on the horizon, many also have concerns and questions about...Learn more
August 18, 2022UBC researchers discover ‘weak spot’ across major COVID-19 variantsResearchers at the University of British Columbia have discovered a key vulnerability across all major variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including the recently emerged BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron subvariants. The weakness can be targeted by neutralizing antibodies, potentially paving the way for...Learn more
August 16, 2022COVID-19 vaccine and young children — expert answers for skeptical parentsThanks to a recent decision by Health Canada, children in British Columbia over the age of six months are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. And a recent study by UBC researchers reveals some surprising attitudes about child vaccination from parents who remain unvaccinated. Dr. Ran Goldman,...Learn more