PCR primers…a primer!
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR, described here) works mainly because of two components – a heat-stable DNA polymerase enzyme (adds new nucleotides to a chain of nucleotides) and a pair Read More …
Author: Ian M Mackay, PhD (EIC)
Because sometimes laughter conveys a message better than fear…
This builds on my smaller page of MERS-CoV themed wannabe memes found here. These were all made by me but feel free to use if they suit a purpose (a link/reference Read More …
The structure of DNA… a primer
For an organism or a virus, to grow or replicate, it must make new pieces of itself and assemble those pieces into something functional. Let’s take a short walk through Read More …
Rhinoviruses (RVs)…a primer
More than 100 serologically distinct types (serotypes) and another 50 or more genotypically defined and distinct types (genotypes) of human rhinovirus (RV; Greek rhin = nose) exist within the genus Enterovirus. Read More …
Respiratory viruses: the viruses we detect in the human respiratory tract
A list of the viruses we can and do detect in the (mostly upper) human respiratory tract. The standard testing panel/diagnostic menu comprises the influenza A and B viruses, parainfluenza Read More …
What to watch for with human parechovirus (HPeV) infections…
With HPeV infections generally around during summer (see specific earlier story arising from cases in babies from New South Wales), it’s well worth mirroring the advice from NSW health on parechovirus Read More …
Parechovirus infections in babies in New South Wales, Australia
The parechoviruses (HPeVs; par -echo-virus) don’t make the headlines too often. I’m not sure why but I expect it is mostly because they are (a) not frequently sought and (b) not frequently found. That Read More …