S. Herfst

Asymmetrical Bi-antennary Glycans Prepared by a Stop-and-Go Strategy Reveal Receptor Binding Evolution of Human Influenza A Viruses

This paper develops a stop-and-go chemoenzymatic method to synthesize asymmetrical bi-antennary glycans and uses them to study receptor binding evolution of human influenza A viruses.

Contemporary human H3N2 influenza A viruses require a low threshold of suitable glycan receptors for efficient infection

This study shows that recent H3N2 influenza A viruses require a low threshold of glycan receptors for efficient infection, and increasing receptor numbers beyond this threshold does not improve infection efficiency.

Robustness of the ferret model for influenza risk assessment studies: a cross-laboratory exercise

This study evaluates the consistency of ferret transmission experiments across laboratories for two H1N1 influenza viruses, finding concordant results and suggesting a minimum of three to five labs for reliable risk assessment.

Characterization of changes in the hemagglutinin that accompanied the emergence of H3N2/1968 pandemic influenza viruses

The paper characterizes amino acid substitutions in the hemagglutinin of H3N2/1968 influenza viruses and their effects on receptor binding, stability, and replication.

3D visualization of SARS-CoV-2 infection and receptor distribution in Syrian hamster lung lobes display distinct spatial arrangements

The paper uses 3D visualization to show that SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian hamster lungs occurs only where ACE2 and TMPRSS2 co-localize.

Glycan remodeled erythrocytes facilitate antigenic characterizationof recent A/H3N2 influenza viruses

The paper demonstrates that glycan remodeling of erythrocytes enables antigenic characterization of recent A/H3N2 influenza viruses that lack agglutination ability.

Comparison of three air samplers for the collection of four nebulized respiratory viruses

This study compares three air samplers for collecting infectious respiratory viruses and finds that the BioSampler and cascade impactor collect more virus than the electrostatic precipitator.

SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted through the air between ferrets over more than one meter distance

This study shows that SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 can transmit between ferrets over more than one meter through the air, with SARS-CoV-2 infecting two of four and SARS-CoV infecting all four recipients.

SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing human antibodies protect against lower respiratory tract disease in a hamster model

This study shows that high-dose convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies protect hamsters from SARS-CoV-2-induced lower respiratory disease, but lower doses are ineffective.

SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via contact and via the air between ferrets.

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 spreads via direct contact and air between ferrets, supporting social distancing measures.

Comparative Pathogenesis Of COVID-19, MERS And SARS In A Non-Human Primate Model

This study compares the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV in non-human primates, showing SARS-CoV-2 causes a COVID-19-like disease with prolonged viral excretion without clinical signs.