Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) inhibitors screened from an Fv-antibody library for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection

Fv-antibodies targeting the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) were screened from an Fv-antibody library for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fv-antibodies were derived from the variable region of heavy-chain immunoglobulin G (IgG), which consisted of three complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) and frame regions (FRs). The Fv-antibody library was prepared through site-directed mutagenesis of CDR3. The proteolytic cleavage site… Continue reading Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) inhibitors screened from an Fv-antibody library for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection

Characterising the asynchronous resurgence of common respiratory viruses following the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic and relevant non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) interrupted the circulation of common respiratory viruses. These viruses demonstrated an unprecedented asynchronous resurgence as NPIs were relaxed. We compiled a global dataset from a systematic review, online surveillance reports and unpublished data from Respiratory Virus Global Epidemiology Network, encompassing 92 sites. We compared the resurgence… Continue reading Characterising the asynchronous resurgence of common respiratory viruses following the COVID-19 pandemic

Mapping mRNA through its life cycle within a cell

When Xiao Wang applied to faculty jobs, many of the institutions where she interviewed thought her research proposal — to study the life cycle of RNA in cells and how it influences normal development and disease — was too broad. However, that was not the case when she interviewed at MIT, where her future colleagues… Continue reading Mapping mRNA through its life cycle within a cell

RNA evolution shapes SARS-CoV-2 success

Since its emergence, SARS-CoV-2 has been continuously evolving. Adaptations involve nucleotide changes in the viral genome, in both coding and non-coding regions. For example, mutations in the spike gene can result in new variants with enhanced transmission and immune evasion. In coronaviruses, structural and accessory proteins are translated from subgenomic RNAs (sgmRNAs), the synthesis of… Continue reading RNA evolution shapes SARS-CoV-2 success

TWiV 1191: The pandemic duo

TWiV reviews freezes and unfreezes of US government grants, how prior COVID-19 vaccination prevents over-reaction of the innate immune response during infections, and how bat genomes illuminate adaptations to viral tolerance and disease resistance. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Alan Dove Click arrow to playDownload TWiV 1191 (63 MB .mp3, 105 min) Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV!… Continue reading TWiV 1191: The pandemic duo

TWiV 1190: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss changes in access to public health information and aid mechanisms such as the return of MMWR, the largest tuberculosis outbreak in the US ever, lack of USAID in fighting Marburg and Ebola outbreaks in Africa, discussing if avian influenza virus is airborne, how eggs… Continue reading TWiV 1190: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin