J. C. Brown

Virion morphology and on-virus spike protein structures of diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants

The paper analyzes SARS-CoV-2 variant virion morphology and spike protein structures using cryo-EM, finding no adaptive changes in virion shape but multiple amino acid changes affecting spike conformational dynamics.

Phenotyping the virulence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in hamsters by digital pathology and machine learning

This study develops quantitative pipelines using digital pathology and machine learning to assess the virulence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in hamsters, showing that some Omicron sub-lineages have regained virulence.

Restoring adiponectin via rosiglitazone ameliorates tissue wasting in mice with lung cancer.

This study shows that rosiglitazone restores adiponectin levels and preserves tissue mass in mice with lung cancer by enhancing AMPK and AKT activity.

Modelling the viral dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants in different cell types

This study models SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron replication in nasal and lung cells, finding Omicron has higher infectivity but lower production rate than Delta, leading to higher transmission in nasal cells and higher severity in lung cells.

Propylene glycol inactivates respiratory viruses and prevents airborne transmission

Omicron breakthrough infections in vaccinated or previously infected hamsters

This study shows Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants do not provide cross-protective immunity against reinfection in hamsters.

The altered entry pathway and antigenic distance of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant map to separate domains of spike protein

This study identifies distinct genetic determinants in the Omicron spike protein for altered cell entry and antigenic properties, showing they are separable and may affect future variant severity and vaccine efficacy.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-B.1.1.529 Variant leads to less severe disease than Pango B and Delta variants strains in a mouse model of severe COVID-19

This study compares the severity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-B.1.1.529, Pango B, and Delta variants in a mouse model, finding Omicron causes less severe disease with lower viral load and inflammation.

Structure-activity studies of Streptococcus pyogenes enzyme SpyCEP reveal high affinity for CXCL8 in the SpyCEP C-terminal

This study investigates SpyCEP's enzymatic function, revealing the C-terminal's role in substrate binding and the N-terminal's necessity for full catalytic activity.

Mutations that adapt SARS-CoV-2 to mustelid hosts do not increase fitness in the human airway.

The paper identifies spike mutations that adapt SARS-CoV-2 to mustelid hosts and assesses their impact on human infectivity and antigenicity.

The SARS-CoV-2 variants associated with infections in India, B.1.617, show enhanced spike cleavage by furin

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 variants have enhanced spike cleavage by furin due to the P681R mutation, potentially increasing transmissibility and pathogenicity.

Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in chlorinated swimming pool water

This study shows that UK swimming pool water guidelines can reduce SARS-CoV-2 infectious titre by at least 3 orders of magnitude.

Ultrastructural insight into SARS-CoV-2 attachment, entry and budding in human airway epithelium

This study uses electron microscopy to examine SARS-CoV-2 infection in human airway epithelium, showing viral entry through the plasma membrane and budding from intracellular compartments.

Increased transmission of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 (VOC 2020212/01) is not accounted for by a replicative advantage in primary airway cells or antibody escape

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 does not replicate better in airway cells or escape antibodies, suggesting its increased transmissibility is due to other factors.

Tetherin antagonism by SARS-CoV-2 enhances virus release: multiple mechanisms including ORF3a-mediated defective retrograde traffic

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 evades tetherin restriction by multiple mechanisms, including ORF3a disrupting tetherin localization and Spike protein reducing tetherin levels, enhancing viral release.

The furin cleavage site of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is a key determinant for transmission due to enhanced replication in airway cells.

This study shows the furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein enhances replication in airway cells, contributing to transmission efficiency.

Role of gene length in control of human gene expression; chromosome-specific and tissue-specific effects

The paper investigates how gene length influences gene expression in humans, finding chromosome- and tissue-specific effects.