N. L. Michael

Transmission of highly virulent CXCR4 tropic HIV-1 through the mucosal route in an individual with a wild-type CCR5 genotype

The paper identifies an X4-tropic HIV-1 transmitted/founder virus in a person with wild-type CCR5, showing faster CD4 depletion and resistance to certain bNAbs.

Tracking coreceptor switch of the transmitted/founder HIV-1 identifies co-evolution of HIV-1 antigenicity, coreceptor usage and CD4 subset targeting

The paper tracks the coreceptor switch of HIV-1 in early infection, finding that a single mutation can drive X4 variants and co-evolution of antigenicity and tropism.

A spike-ferritin nanoparticle vaccine induces robust innate immune activity and drives polyfunctional SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells

This study evaluates a spike-ferritin nanoparticle vaccine with adjuvants, showing enhanced T cell responses and cross-reactivity against SARS-CoV and other coronaviruses.

Dendritic cells focus CTL responses toward highly conserved and topologically important HIV epitopes

This study uses dendritic cells to focus CD8+ T cell responses on conserved and topologically important HIV epitopes to prevent immune escape.

A SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate would likely match all currently circulating strains

The paper analyzes SARS-CoV-2 sequence diversity and finds limited variation in the Spike protein, suggesting a single vaccine could be effective against current strains.

A Cryptic Site of Vulnerability on the Receptor Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein

The paper reports the high-resolution structure of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD and identifies a conserved epitope accessible in open conformations, which is targeted by cross-reactive antibodies.