Tag: Emerging Viruses

TWiV 1053: Bird flu in Baltimore

From the Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Response meeting in Baltimore, Vincent speaks with Ron Fouchier, Rafael Medina, and Louse Moncla about recent changes in the epidemiology of avian H5N1 influenza virus and the threat to humans and other animals. Host: Vincent Racaniello Guests: Ron Fouchier, Rafael Medina, and Louise Moncla Click arrow to… Continue reading TWiV 1053: Bird flu in Baltimore

Spatial and temporal dynamics of West Nile virus between Africa and Europe

Abstract It is unclear whether West Nile virus (WNV) circulates between Africa and Europe, despite numerous studies supporting an African origin and high transmission in Europe. We integrated genomic data with geographic observations and phylogenetic and phylogeographic inferences to uncover the spatial and temporal viral dynamics of WNV between these two continents. We focused our… Continue reading Spatial and temporal dynamics of West Nile virus between Africa and Europe

Mpox virus infection and drug treatment modelled in human skin organoids

AI SummaryHuman skin organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells can be infected by Mpox virus (MPXV) and support virus production. Treatment with the antiviral drug tecovirimat inhibits virus production and rewiring of the host transcriptome. This study establishes human skin organoids as a model for studying MPXV infection and testing therapeutics.Abstract Mpox virus (MPXV)… Continue reading Mpox virus infection and drug treatment modelled in human skin organoids

Gene Editing Might Help Stop the Spread of Bird Flu

AI SummaryGenetically engineered chickens with edits to a specific gene could help reduce the spread of bird flu. A study has shown that these gene-edited chickens have a reduced risk of infection from a bird flu virus, and the virus does not spread to other birds. However, further edits to other genes may be necessary… Continue reading Gene Editing Might Help Stop the Spread of Bird Flu

Nipah virus is deadly — but smart policy changes can help quell pandemic risk

AI SummaryNipah virus, a deadly RNA virus, has infected and killed people in Kerala, India. It causes encephalitis and has a high fatality rate. While the virus currently spreads through contact with bodily fluids, future strains could be more effective and cause a pandemic. More scientific and policy work is needed to understand and prevent… Continue reading Nipah virus is deadly — but smart policy changes can help quell pandemic risk

Gain without pain: adaptation and increased virulence of Zika virus in vertebrate host without fitness cost in mosquito vector

INTRODUCTIONThe adaptive potential of RNA viruses is driven by error-prone replication which creates a heterogeneous swarm of virus genotypes within each host (1). RNA arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) therefore have the potential for rapid evolution but exhibit high degrees of consensus genome sequence stability in nature [summarized in reference (2)]. The need to navigate distinct host… Continue reading Gain without pain: adaptation and increased virulence of Zika virus in vertebrate host without fitness cost in mosquito vector

Designing Photoaffinity Tool Compounds for the Investigation of the DENV NS2B-NS3 Protease Allosteric Binding Pocket

Dengue virus (DENV) infection still lacks specific antiviral therapy, making the NS2B-NS3 protease an attractive target for drug development. However, allosteric inhibitors that bind to a site other than the active site still need to be better understood. In this study, we designed and synthesised tool compounds for photoaffinity labelling (PAL) to investigate the binding… Continue reading Designing Photoaffinity Tool Compounds for the Investigation of the DENV NS2B-NS3 Protease Allosteric Binding Pocket