J. Kok

Genomic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern under in vitro neutralising selection pressure following two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine

This study assesses the neutralizing antibody titres against SARS-CoV-2 variants Delta and Beta post-Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination, finding significant reductions compared to wild-type virus.

TMPRSS2 activation of Omicron lineage Spike glycoprotein is regulated by Collectrin-like domain of ACE2

The paper shows Omicron SARS-CoV-2 lineages rely on ACE2 without TMPRSS2 complexes for entry, due to changes in the ACE2 Collectrin-Like Domain affecting TMPRSS2 activation.

Incorporating strontium enriched amorphous calcium phosphate granules in collagen/collagen-magnesium-hydroxyapatite osteochondral scaffold improves subchondral bone repair

This study shows that adding strontium-enriched amorphous calcium phosphate granules to a collagen scaffold improves subchondral bone repair in a goat model.

Evolutionary survival strategies of the female giant panda: optimizing energy resources and expenditure prior to pregnancy by postponing corpus luteum reactivation

This study investigates giant panda reproductive physiology, finding that pregnancy lasts 42 days and involves a triphasic progesterone profile with CL reactivation postponed to shorten the active luteal phase.

Improved neutralization of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant after Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine boosting

This study shows that Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine boosting increases neutralizing antibodies against Omicron, but they are still lower than against the A.2.2 lineage.

SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing Methods Differ In Their Ability To Detect Variants From Low Viral Load Samples

This study compares three SARS-CoV-2 sequencing methods for their ability to detect variants from low viral load samples, finding that ARTIC v3 is most sensitive.

The spatial-temporal dynamics of respiratory syncytial virus infections across the east-west coasts of Australia during 2016-17

This study analyzes RSV genome sequences from eastern and western Australia to understand spatial-temporal dynamics and transmission patterns during 2016-17.

Alternative phage-host interaction in Lactococcus lactis: the carrier state drives rapid evolution of phages

The paper shows that a bacteriophage in Lactococcus lactis can transition from a carrier state to an active lytic cycle upon infection by a second phage, leading to rapid genomic evolution and host range diversification.

REVEALING COVID-19 TRANSMISSION BY SARS-CoV-2 GENOME SEQUENCING AND AGENT BASED MODELLING

The paper uses SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing and agent-based modeling to estimate local transmission rates during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales.

An emergent clade of SARS-CoV-2 linked to returned travellers from Iran

The paper identifies a distinct SARS-CoV-2 clade linked to travellers returning from Iran to Australia and New Zealand through whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Homologous expression and characterization of gassericin T and gassericin S, a novel class IIb bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus gasseri LA327

This study identifies and characterizes gassericin S, a novel class IIb bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus gasseri LA327, and demonstrates its activity and stability.