Useful links and credible information
The COVID-19 pandemic, a disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has affected Slovenia and it is expected to be even more severe in the coming days and weeks. Like its precursor SARS, this virus can bind to lung cells, making it the most dangerous complication of respiratory distress. This can be fatal for people with weakened immune systems, so we must take special care not to infect them.
In this situation, it is the most important to take care of our health and our loved ones. At the moment, the most effective measure is to prevent the spread of the infection, which involves, in particular, strict adherence to the recommended preventive measures. We must reduce the number of close contacts with others and limit the contacts to a minimum sufficient for the smooth functioning of our institution.
For this reason, we have prepared instructions for employees and visiting researchers, which are in accordance with the guidelines of the National Institute of Public Health and the competent ministries. On the other hand, we must ensure the functioning of our society and the institute, so that we can overcome these difficult times. Regardless of the situation, we will ensure that our institute will continue to function, albeit in a reduced scale, and we will regularly maintain our infrastructure.
I set up a group to monitor the situation on a daily basis and to decide on the necessary measures. Please follow the instructions that are likely to change and we will keep you informed via electronic media.
For safety issues, please contact the head of the Occupational Safety and Health Department, dr. Andreja Drolc: andreja.drolc [at] ki.si / 01 4760 302
Below, we've compiled some links where you can find credible information and data on the latest COVID-19 pandemic research. We will of course upadte it regularly to keep you as informed as possible.
Prof. Dr. Gregor Anderluh,
Director of The National Institute of Chemistry
Useful links
Number of infected and victims by country: www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH: www.nijz.si/en
WHO: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
ERC: https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/magazine/coronavirus-what-s-beyond-science-frontier
How coronaviruses get into cells
Video explanation, Tom Goddard, University of California San Francisco): youtu.be/dKNbRRRFhqY
The importance of protective masks
Recent medical and research articles related to Covid-19, open access
Lancet: www.thelancet.com/coronavirus
Cell Press: www.cell.com/2019-nCOV
Reviewed articles on Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2 viruses
The genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and similarity analysis with other corona viruses:
https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(20)30072-X
Determination of the spatial structure of the virus by cryo-electron microscopy:
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/367/6483/1260
https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(20)30262-2
Molecular mechanism of ACE2 recognition as SARS-CoV-2 virus receptor:
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/03/03/science.abb2762.abstract
Determination of protease structure of the virus with a bound inhibitor:
http://www.rcsb.org/structure/6Y2E
Identification of ACE-2 as a receptor for SARS-Cov-2 and human membrane serine protease TMPRSS2 required for infection:
https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(20)30229-4
Explaining the origin of SARS-CoV-2, nature Medicine magazine:
Current vaccine preparation activities:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40475-020-00201-6
List of recent articles and tenders connected with SARS-CoV-2 (source: www.mitegen.com):
www.mitegen.com/resources-for-researchers-and-labs-working-on-sars-cov-2/
EU research and calls related to Covid-19
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_20_386
Schematic representation of the surface protein structure of a novel SARS-CoV2 virus
GRAPHICS: Schematic representation of the surface protein structure of a novel SARS-CoV2 virus that causes the COVID-19 pandemic. More > science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/02/19/science.abb2507.