D. H. Walker

Variant mutation in SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid enhances viral infection via altered genomic encapsidation

The paper identifies a mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein that enhances viral infection by promoting dimer formation and altering virion structure.

SARS-CoV-2 hijacks fragile X mental retardation proteins for efficient infection

This study identifies a novel interaction between SARS-CoV-2 NSP3 and FMRPs, showing that this interaction is critical for viral replication and disease progression.

Interaction between host G3BP and viral nucleocapsid protein regulates SARS-CoV-2 replication

This study identifies the role of G3BP1-N interaction in SARS-CoV-2 replication by showing that disrupting this interaction reduces viral replication and pathogenesis.

Loss-of-function mutation in Omicron variants reduces spike protein expression and attenuates SARS-CoV-2 infection

This study identifies the N679K mutation in Omicron variants as reducing spike protein expression and attenuating SARS-CoV-2 infection, while showing a replication advantage in the upper airway.

SARS-CoV-2 Uses Nonstructural Protein 16 to Evade Restriction by IFIT1 and IFIT3

This paper shows that SARS-CoV-2's NSP16 protein helps evade immune detection by methylating viral mRNA, and disrupting this function reduces viral replication and disease in hamsters.

Nucleocapsid mutations in SARS-CoV-2 augment replication and pathogenesis.

This study shows that mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein enhance viral replication and pathogenesis by increasing phosphorylation and resisting kinase inhibition.

Host transcriptomic profiling of CD-1 outbred mice with severe clinical outcomes following infection with Orientia tsutsugamushi

This study uses CD-1 mice to model severe scrub typhus caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, finding they exhibit high susceptibility and a Th1/CD8-skewed immune profile associated with disease severity.

QTQTN motif upstream of the furin-cleavage site plays key role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis.

This study shows that deleting the QTQTN motif reduces SARS-CoV-2 replication and disease by affecting spike processing and glycosylation.

Mouse Adapted SARS-CoV-2 protects animals from lethal SARS-CoV challenge

This study creates a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strain that protects mice from lethal SARS-CoV challenge, demonstrating cross-strain immunity.

A biosafety level-2 dose-dependent lethal mouse model of spotted fever rickettsiosis: Rickettsia parkeri Atlantic Rainforest-like isolate

This paper develops a biosafety level-2 mouse model of Rickettsia parkeri infection that exhibits dose-dependent lethality and immune responses.