Article
Cell Biology
Robert W. Cross, Courtney Woolsey, Abhishek N. Prasad, Viktoriya Borisevich, Krystle N. Agans, Daniel J. Deer, Joan B. Geisbert, Natalie S. Dobias, Karla A. Fenton, Thomas W. Geisbert
Summary: The study shows that vaccination with a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vector can provide rapid protection in monkeys challenged with a genetically heterologous LASV strain from Nigeria. The vaccine not only activates adaptive immunity quickly but also induces the transcription of natural killer cell-affiliated mRNAs.
Article
Virology
Meirong Wang, Ruihua Li, Yaohui Li, Changming Yu, Xiangyang Chi, Shipo Wu, Shulin Liu, Junjie Xu, Wei Chen
Summary: Lassa virus is a rodent-borne arenavirus causing Lassa fever in West Africa. There is currently no approved vaccine for prevention, but adenoviral vector-based vaccines show potential efficacy.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Roland Tschismarov, Pierre Van Damme, Clara Germain, Ilse De Coster, Mathieu Mateo, Stephanie Reynard, Alexandra Journeaux, Yvonne Tomberger, Kanchanamala Withanage, Denise Haslwanter, Katherine Terler, Sabrina Schrauf, Matthias Muellner, Erich Tauber, Katrin Ramsauer, Sylvain Baize
Summary: This phase 1 trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a recombinant, live-attenuated, measles-vectored Lassa fever vaccine candidate (MV-LASV). The results showed that MV-LASV had an acceptable safety profile, was well tolerated, and induced a substantial immune response. It is a promising candidate for further development.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dominic R. Whittall, Katherine Baker, Rainer Breitling, Eriko Takano
Summary: Spider silk is known for its impressive mechanical properties, but farming spiders for silk is impractical. Research focuses on producing recombinant spider silk proteins in more feasible hosts, with the goal of developing a highly efficient and cost-effective production system. Genes encoding these proteins have been successfully expressed in various host platforms, showing potential for large-scale production.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meenakshi Venkatesan, Cameron Semper, Stig Skrivergaard, Rosa Di Leo, Nathalie Mesa, Martin Kroyer Rasmussen, Jette Feveile Young, Margrethe Therkildsen, Peter J. Stogios, Alexei Savchenko
Summary: This study presents a cost-effective method for producing functionally active GFs in Escherichia coli, which can significantly reduce the cost of cell culture medium and facilitate the production of cell-cultured meat and tissue engineering.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lauren F. Barnes, Benjamin E. Draper, Yu-Ting Chen, Thomas W. Powers, Martin F. Jarrold
Summary: In this study, CDMS and gel electrophoresis were used to characterize the DNA content of rAAV8 vectors, showing that the differences in mass between empty particles and particles with the genome of interest correlate with the expected genome mass, and also revealing packaging of heterogeneous DNA and small DNA fragments along with the GOI. Incubation at elevated temperature was found to reduce the heterogeneity of the packaged DNA.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Biology
Samsuzzoha Mondal, Honey Priya James, Francesco Milano, Rui Jin, Tobias Baumgart
Summary: BAR proteins, such as Amphiphysin, are known for generating membrane curvature during endocytosis. We successfully expressed and purified recombinant Amphiphysin and its N-BAR domain using affinity chromatography and GST tags. The cleavage of the GST tag in the N-BAR domain caused precipitation, which was minimized by adding glycerol to the purification buffers. Size exclusion chromatography was used to remove any oligomeric species. This protocol can also be applied to purify other N-BAR proteins.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Larissa Bussler, Debora Jacomini, Juliana Moco Correa, Marina Kimiko Kadowaki, Alexandre Maller, Rita de Cassia Garcia Simao
Summary: The cellulase from Caulobacter crescentus (C. crescentus) showed higher expression in the presence of corn straw and released more reducing sugar during the hydrolysis of corn straw and corn cob, suggesting its potential as an alternative for the production of chemicals and biofuels. Additionally, the application of the enzyme on denim jeans resulted in a cleaner and smoother surface of the fibers, indicating its use for biopolishing. This study supports the biotechnological capabilities of the cellulase from C. crescentus based on the bacterial genomic sequence.
Article
Virology
Hugo Soubrier, Umaru Bangura, Chris Hoffmann, Ayodeji Olayemi, Adetunji Samuel Adesina, Stephan Guenther, Lisa Oestereich, Elisabeth Fichet-Calvet
Summary: This study evaluated the use of a capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting LASV-reactive IgG antibodies in Mastomys rodents. The ELISA showed a high accuracy of 97.1% in known exposure samples and exhibited strong agreement with an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). It can be used as an alternative to IFA for determining LASV IgG serostatus in Mastomys rodents.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johanna Hausjell, Julia Weissensteiner, Christian Molitor, Karin Schlangen, Oliver Spadiut, Heidi Halbwirth
Summary: Anthochlor pigments play an important role in yellow flower colourization, the formation of UV-honey guides, and show numerous health benefits. In this study, a membrane bound chalcone 3-hydroxylase (CH3H) from Dahlia variabilis was characterized for the first time, including its enzymatic activity and substrate preferences. It was found that recombinant DvCH3H displays a higher affinity for (2R)-naringenin than for (2S)-naringenin.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Anete Ogrina, Dace Skrastina, Ina Balke, Ieva Kalnciema, Juris Jansons, Martin F. Bachmann, Andris Zeltins
Summary: This study describes the development of potato virus Y (PVY) VLP-derived vaccines using plant-based virus-like particles as antigen-presenting platforms, and compares different antigen display systems. The results show that the vaccine variants induced high titers of antibodies against the major cat allergen Fel d 1, demonstrating their potential as effective immunogens.
Article
Microbiology
Anete Ogrina, Ina Balke, Ieva Kalnciema, Dace Skrastina, Juris Jansons, Martin F. Bachmann, Andris Zeltins
Summary: Virus-like particles (VLPs) are artificial nanostructures derived from viruses that stimulate the immune system. They can be used as a universal vaccine platform due to their improved safety, flexibility, and ease of production. In this study, different expression systems were developed in Escherichia coli to generate VLP-derived vaccines. These vaccines showed high antibody production against the target antigen Feld1, but also a significant immune response against the carrier EMV. Further development is possible based on the characteristics of the EMV-SZ18/17-Feld1 complex and chemically coupled EMV-Feld1 vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Sabrina Schrauf, Yvonne Tomberger, Sham Nambulli, W. Paul Duprex, Roland Tschismarov, Erich Tauber, Katrin Ramsauer
Summary: A toxicity study was conducted to evaluate the biodistribution and toxicological effects of MV-LASV vaccine in monkeys. The vaccine was well tolerated locally and systemically, indicating its potential for a first-in-human study.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Nicolas Baillet, Stephanie Reynard, Emeline Perthame, Jimmy Hortion, Alexandra Journeaux, Mathieu Mateo, Xavier Carnec, Justine Schaeffer, Caroline Picard, Laura Barrot, Stephane Barron, Audrey Vallve, Aurelie Duthey, Frederic Jacquot, Cathy Boehringer, Gregory Jouvion, Natalia Pietrosemoli, Rachel Legendre, Marie-Agnes Dillies, Richard Allan, Catherine Legras-Lachuer, Caroline Carbonnelle, Herve Raoul, Sylvain Baize
Summary: This study used a cynomolgus monkey model to replicate Lassa virus and associated Lassa fever, finding that in fatal cases of the disease there is a decrease in T-cell responses leading to systemic viral dissemination and multiorgan failure. The results suggest that the outcome of Lassa fever may be determined early after infection, which could help in the development of early diagnostic tools.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Beatrice Sakhel, Srinivas Jayanthi, Djamali Muhoza, Patience Okoto, Thallapuranam Krishnaswamy Suresh Kumar, Paul Adams
Summary: The study developed a rapid, cost-effective, and reliable method for the production and single-step-purification of peptides and small proteins. Qualitative and quantitative analysis showed that the purified proteins/peptides attained over 95% homogeneity. The proposed method makes the purification of recombinant proteins/peptides easy and reliable for biomedical applications.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Nadia Wauquier, Camille Couffignal, Pauline Manchon, Elisabeth Smith, Victor Lungay, Moinya Coomber, Lauren Weisenfluh, James Bangura, Sheik Humarr Khan, Amara Jambai, Aiah Gbakima, Nadezda Yun, Slobodan Paessler, Randal Schoepp, Stephen S. Morse, Jean-Paul Gonzalez, Joseph Fair, France Mentre, Vincent Vieillard
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2020)
Article
Virology
Courtney E. Garry, Robert E. Garry
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emily R. Robie, Juliana N. Zemke, Teck-Hock Toh, Jeffrey Soon-Yit Lee, King-Ching Hii, Johnny D. Callahan, Randal J. Schoepp, Gregory C. Gray
ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Dominic Paquin-Proulx, Bronwyn M. Gunn, Aljawharah Alrubayyi, Danielle V. Clark, Matthew Creegan, Dohoon Kim, Hannah Kibuuka, Monica Millard, Salim Wakabi, Leigh Anne Eller, Nelson L. Michael, Randal J. Schoepp, Matthew J. Hepburn, Lisa E. Hensley, Merlin L. Robb, Galit Alter, Michael A. Eller
Summary: This study found that in survivors of EBOV infection, antibodies mediating different effector functions and persistent inflammation may contribute to the development of long-term sequelae, particularly hearing loss.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Yolanda Botti-Lodovico, Parvathy Nair, Dolo Nosamiefan, Matthew Stremlau, Stephen Schaffner, Sebastian V. Agignoae, John Oke Aiyepada, Fehintola V. Ajogbasile, George O. Akpede, Foday Alhasan, Kristian G. Andersen, Danny A. Asogun, Oladele Oluwafemi Ayodeji, Aida S. Badiane, Kayla Barnes, Matthew R. Bauer, Antoinette Bell-Kareem, Muoebonam Ekene Benard, Ebo Ohomoime Benevolence, Osiemi Blessing, Chloe K. Boehm, Matthew L. Boisen, Nell G. Bond, Luis M. Branco, Michael J. Butts, Amber Carter, Andres Colubri, Awa B. Deme, Katherine C. DeRuff, Younousse Diedhiou, Akhilomen Patience Edamhande, Siham Elhamoumi, Emily J. Engel, Philomena Eromon, Mosoka Fallah, Onikepe A. Folarin, Ben Fry, Robert Garry, Amy Gaye, Michael Gbakie, Sahr M. Gevao, Gabrielle Gionet, Adrianne Gladden-Young, Augustine Goba, Jules Francois Gomis, Anise N. Happi, Mary Houghton, Chikwe Ihekwuazu, Christopher Ojemiega Iruolagbe, Jonathan Jackson, Simbirie Jalloh, Jeremy Johnson, Lansana Kanneh, Adeyemi Kayode, Molly Kemball, Ojide Chiedozie Kingsley, Veronica Koroma, Dylan Kotliar, Samar Mehta, Hayden C. Metsky, Airende Michael, Marzieh Ezzaty Mirhashemi, Kayvon Modjarrad, Mambu Momoh, Cameron A. Myhrvold, Okonofua Grace Naregose, Tolla Ndiaye, Mouhamadou Ndiaye, Aliou Ndiaye, Erica Normandin, Ikponmwosa Odia, Judith Uche Oguzie, Sylvanus A. Okogbenin, Peter O. Okokhere, Johnson Okolie, Idowu B. Olawoye, Testimony J. Olumade, Paul E. Oluniyi, Omigie Omoregie, Daniel J. Park, Marietou Faye Paye, Brittany Petros, Anthony A. Philippakis, Abechi Priscilla, Alan Ricks, Anne Rimoin, John Demby Sandi, John S. Schieffelin, Monica Schreiber, Mame Cheikh Seck, Sameed Siddiqui, Katherine Siddle, Allison R. Smither, Mouhamad Sy, Ngayo Sy, Christopher H. Tomkins-Tinch, Oyewale Tomori, Chinedu Ugwu, Jessica N. Uwanibe, Eghosasere Anthonia Uyigue, Dada Ireti Victoria, Anika Vinze, Megan E. Vodzak, Nicole Welch, Haja Isatta Wurie, Daba Zoumarou, Donald S. Grant, Daouda Ndiaye, Bronwyn MacInnis, Pardis C. Sabeti, Christian Happi
Summary: The discovery of the critical role of the LARGE gene in Lassa virus entry suggests resistance to Lassa Fever in the Yoruba population of Nigeria. The emergence of new diseases may be related to improved detection capabilities, and humans may have been exposed to disease-causing viruses for longer than previously thought. The Sentinel project aims to detect and characterize deadly pathogens, connect information in real time to identify emerging threats, and empower the public health community to improve pandemic preparedness and response globally.
Article
Virology
Arnaud C. Drouin, Marc W. Theberge, Sharon Y. Liu, Allison R. Smither, Shelby M. Flaherty, Mark Zeller, Gregory P. Geba, Peter Reynaud, W. Benjamin Rothwell, Alfred P. Luk, Di Tian, Matthew L. Boisen, Luis M. Branco, Kristian G. Andersen, James E. Robinson, Robert F. Garry, Dahlene N. Fusco
Summary: A 59-year-old male with follicular lymphoma was hospitalized with a COVID-19 infection and successfully cleared the virus after treatment with REGEN-COV antibodies. Monitoring virus mutations and coordinating a multidisciplinary team of experts were critical during the treatment process.
Article
Virology
Brandon J. Beddingfield, Jessica N. Hartnett, Russell B. Wilson, Peter C. Kulakosky, Kristian G. Andersen, Refugio Robles-Sikisaka, Nathan D. Grubaugh, Argelia Aybar, Maria-Zunilla Nunez, Cesar D. Fermin, Robert F. Garry
Summary: Infection with Zika virus can cause severe neurological disease in some patients, while impacting the development of the fetus during pregnancy. By utilizing mutagenesis and antibody purification techniques, researchers have made progress towards developing reliable ZIKV-specific diagnostic assays.
Article
Virology
Rodrigo Borrega, Diana K. S. Nelson, Anatoliy P. Koval, Nell G. Bond, Megan L. Heinrich, Megan M. Rowland, Raju Lathigra, Duane J. Bush, Irina Aimukanova, Whitney N. Phinney, Sophia A. Koval, Andrew R. Hoffmann, Allison R. Smither, Antoinette R. Bell-Kareem, Lilia I. Melnik, Kaylynn J. Genemaras, Karissa Chao, Patricia Snarski, Alexandra B. Melton, Jaikin E. Harrell, Ashley A. Smira, Debra H. Elliott, Julie A. Rouelle, Gilberto Sabino-Santos Jr, Arnaud C. Drouin, Mambu Momoh, John Demby Sandi, Augustine Goba, Robert J. Samuels, Lansana Kanneh, Michael Gbakie, Zoe L. Branco, Jeffrey G. Shaffer, John S. Schieffelin, James E. Robinson, Dahlene N. Fusco, Pardis C. Sabeti, Kristian G. Andersen, Donald S. Grant, Matthew L. Boisen, Luis M. Branco, Robert F. Garry
Summary: Research on the serological responses of Sierra Leoneans to coronaviruses suggests that pre-existing immunity from previous exposures may contribute to the lower COVID-19 caseloads and deaths in the country. This immunity is likely due to cross-reactive antibodies against coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV.
Article
Virology
Eric M. Mucker, Josh D. Shamblin, Jo Lynne Raymond, Nancy A. Twenhafel, Robert F. Garry, Lisa E. Hensley
Summary: Researchers have been working for over two decades to improve smallpox vaccines and develop therapies for smallpox or similar diseases. The use of animal models, such as macaques infected with monkeypox virus, has been crucial in advancing these therapies. However, there have been criticisms regarding the administration method and dosage used in these models.
Article
Virology
Eric M. Mucker, Josh D. Shamblin, Arthur J. Goff, Todd M. Bell, Christopher Reed, Nancy A. Twenhafel, Jennifer Chapman, Marc Mattix, Derron Alves, Robert F. Garry, Lisa E. Hensley
Summary: The 2022 global human monkeypox outbreak highlights the significance of researching poxviruses and understanding animal models for developing therapeutics and vaccines. This study addressed the criticism of the macaque model, specifically the requirement for a high titer virus administration, and improved understanding of monkeypox virus pathogenesis. The researchers found that inherent factors in nonhuman primate serum affect the stability of extracellular virions.
Article
Cell Biology
Christine E. Hulseberg, Raina Kumar, Nicholas Di Paola, Peter Larson, Elyse R. Nagle, Joshua Richardson, Jarod Hanson, Nadia Wauquier, Joseph N. Fair, Maria Makuwa, Prime Mulembakani, Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Randal J. Schoepp, Mariano Sanchez-Lockhart, Gustavo F. Palacios, Jens H. Kuhn, Jeffrey R. Kugelman
Summary: This study provides BDBV sequences from seven additional patients involved in the 2012 outbreak, challenging the current hypothesis about the outbreak's origins and revealing that the virus emerged in Isiro earlier than previously believed. Retrospective sequencing can be a valuable tool in understanding outbreak origins and providing epidemiological context for medically relevant pathogens.
CELL REPORTS MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Tierra Smiley Evans, Theingi Win Myat, Nang Sarm Hom, Keersten Michelle Ricks, Min Thein Maw, Zaw Min Oo, Aung Than Toe, Nyein Thu Aung, Pyaephyo Aung, Tin Htun Aung, Paul Kuehnert, Kyaw Zin Thant, Ye Tun Win, Wai Zin Thein, Nicole Rae Gardner, Randal Joseph Schoepp, Christine Kreuder Johnson, Hlaing Myat Thu
Summary: The study found that exposure to CCHFV is common in logging communities in Myanmar, with a higher seropositivity associated with exposure to blood and body fluids of wild animals.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Michael E. von Fricken, Matthew A. Voorhees, Jeffrey W. Koehler, Carmen Asbun, Brandon Lam, Barbara Qurollo, Kathryn M. Hogan, Uyanga Baasandagva, Battsetseg Jigjav, Randal J. Schoepp
Meeting Abstract
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Michael E. von Fricken, Matthew A. Voorhees, Carmen Asbun, Brandon Lam, Paul Kuehnert, Jeffrey W. Koehler, Barbara Qurollo, Dulamjav Jamsransuren, Dolgorkhand Adiyadorj, Uyanaga Baasandagwa, Battsetseg Jigjav, Randal J. Schoepp
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2019)