The Trumpet Newspaper Issue 555 (October 6 - 19 2021)

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Page10 TheTrumpet OCTOBER 6 - 19 2021 Science Scientists discover why some individuals have stronger natural defences against SARS-COV-2 Anew study has revealed key insights into the natural human antiviral defences against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The research, published in the journal Science and led by a team of scientists at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, sheds new light on why some people are naturally more resistant to serious SARS-CoV-2 infection – and how, in the future, the coronavirus might overcome this resistance. COVID-19 is spread from person to person after the virus, shed by an infected person, infects the cells of a new host. Once infected, our cells try to fight off the invading virus and scientists already know that this works better in some people, making their experience of the disease less severe. However, until now, that anti-viral response – and its effect on the virus SARS-CoV-2 – hasn’t been wellunderstood. In the study, the scientists reveal that some people have a version of a gene, called OAS1, that potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2. The study showed that, while some people can express a more protective ‘prenylated’ version of the OAS1 gene, other people express a version of this gene which does not detect SARS- CoV-2. Inside cells, coronaviruses hide and replicate inside vesicles coated with Some individuals have stronger natural defences against SARS-COV-2.. lipid (fat). Prenylation is the addition of a single molecule of lipid (fat) to a protein – and it’s this technical difference that allows prenylated OAS1 to ‘seek out’ the invading virus and ‘sound the alarm’. The study found that, in hospitalised patients, expression of a prenylated version of this gene was associated with protection from severe COVID-19, which suggests this antiviral defence is a major component of a protective antiviral response; and is likely to have offered protection to many people during the course of the pandemic. The study also found that hospitalized COVID-19 patients with the ‘bad’ form of OAS1 had worse clinical outcomes compared to those who expressed the protective prenylated version of OAS1. Severe disease was significantly more frequent with ICU admission or death being approximately 1.6 times more likely in these patients. Interestingly, the researchers also found that, approximately 55 million years ago, there was a removal of this protective gene in horseshoe bats – the presumed source of SARS-CoV-2) – so therefore SARS-CoV-2 never had to adapt to evade this defence. As the protective prenylated OAS1 gene is widespread in animals, the billions of people that lack this protective gene could make humans particularly vulnerable to the spill over of coronaviruses from horseshoe bats. Sam Wilson said: “We know viruses adapt, and even SARS-CoV-2 has likely adapted to replicate in the animal reservoir(s) in which it circulates. Cross-species transmission to humans exposed the virus SARS-CoV-2 to a new repertoire of antiviral defences, some of which SARS-CoV-2 may not know how to evade. “What our study shows us is that the coronavirus that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003 learned to evade prenylated OAS1. If SARS-CoV-2 variants learn the same trick, they could be substantially more pathogenic and transmissible in unvaccinated populations. This reinforces the need to continually monitor the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.” The study, ‘A Prenylated dsRNA Sensor Protects Against Severe COVID-19,’ is published in Science. The study was predominantly funded by the Medical Research Council, Wellcome, and UKRI. A link to the study can be found here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/s cience.abj3624 STALLIONS AIR Ipanema Travel Ltd AFRICA FLIGHTS SPECIALISTS LAGOS fr £477 (2 Bags) 020 7580 5999 07979 861 455 Call AMIT / ALEX 73 WELLS ST, W1T 3QG All Fares Seasonal ATOL 9179
Charity OCTOBER 6 - 19 2021 TheTrumpet Page11 VIN Club fundraises for Heritage Outreach Philanthropic organisation - VIN Club holds its flagship 4 th annual Black- Tie charity event on November 13 2021 - in support of Heritage Outreach, a UK registered charity that supports orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria. Known for its charitable activities in the United Kingdom and Nigeria, VIN Club was established in 2014 by 11 like-minded individuals with the aim of contributing positively to the “Big Society” primarily through its charity work. Other areas of the club’s interest are Investments, Entertainment and Empowerment. In previous years, VIN club raised a total of £8,800 for Sickle Cell Society UK in 2019; and £9,000 for Autism Initiatives UK in 2018, and almost £14,000 for RACET - a UK based charity that helps children in rural communities in Nigeria attend school. In addition to these fund-raising activities, VIN club also has charitable pledges it honours every year such as sponsoring university education for 2 RACET students, supporting the less privileged on the streets, and donating food and other materials to food banks. At the start of 2021, the club voted to continue with the “Charity begins at home” approach it adopted in 2019, by supporting a charity that operates in Nigeria but under UK charity commission governance. Heritage Outreach has an orphanage in Isonyin-Ijebu where they provide shelter, care, comfort and education of orphans and vulnerable children. According to the Club’s President, Mr Tunde Adebayo “Heritage Outreach meets all the criteria we look out for when looking for a charity to adopt. We are particularity impressed with their purpose and passion of transforming the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria. We see this as a give back project” The event holds at The Discovery Centre, Jenkins Lane, Barking IG11 0AD from 4pm. Tickets to the event are £75 per head – with early-bird tickets available at £60 per head till 13 th October, 2021. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite (vinclub.eventbrite.com) Ahead of the November 13 Black-Tie event, Vin club would also be raising funds for Heritage Outreach by embarking on a 15km sponsored walk on October the 16 th . The walk can be supported using this link () Further information about VIN Club is available at: ; Instagram - @clubvin1; and Facebook - @clubvin1 TheArts Free creative training for Manchester residents Manchester International Festival (MIF) has announced its latest Factory Academy programme for the 2021/22 academic year, providing skills and training programmes for the creative industries for people in Manchester and the wider city region. Launched in 2018 by MIF, in partnership with a consortium of cultural organisations in the city, the awardwinning Factory Academy is a key part of the vision to put skills and training opportunities at the heart of The Factory, Manchester’s landmark new arts space. Over the next five years, it will deliver around 1,400 fully funded training opportunities, creating accessible pathways to work in an increasingly important sector and supporting the region’s economic recovery. In 2021/22, the Factory Academy will offer places to 250 people across a range of programmes including bespoke preemployment academies on subjects from construction to broadcast and film production, industry traineeships designed to immerse students in the creative and cultural industries, and opportunities to manage creative projects to develop key skills. Alongside this, it will offer Kickstart Wraparound Support to creative and cultural employers, aligned to the government Kickstart Scheme, combining students’ on-the-job learning and unique opportunities for personal development in a workplace setting. The latest opportunity is a new 15-day training academy developed in partnership with Laing O’Rourke, Ryder Architecture and other companies who are working to bring The Factory to life. Students will discover what goes on behind the scenes at an innovative construction project, receive first-hand guidance from industry experts and develop new skills for working in construction. The course, which takes place 11-29 October, is fully funded, with no cost to participants, and is open to anyone in Manchester or Greater Manchester aged 19-24 and on Universal Credit. On completion of the academy, students will have the chance to apply for a six-month paid Kickstart role with organisations working on the design and construction of The Factory. Last year, over 150 Greater The launch of the Cultural Consortium Manchester residents benefited from the Factory Academy – its first year as an independent training provider. Despite the challenges of the pandemic period, an average of 50% of students have progressed into work or further study within three months of completing the Factory Futures Academy course in the past year. In June 2021, The Factory Academy was awarded the Marquee Award at the inaugural Manchester Adult Education and Skills Awards. Ten students graduated from the Continued on Page 13
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The Trumpet Newspaper Issue 555 (October 6 - 19 2021)

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