W. S. Barclay

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.

The antiviral potential of the antiandrogen enzalutamide and the viral-androgen interplay in seasonal coronaviruses

This study investigates enzalutamide's antiviral effects against seasonal coronaviruses and identifies differences in viral-androgen signaling interactions between HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43.

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

Avian Influenza A Virus polymerase can utilise human ANP32 proteins to support cRNA but not vRNA synthesis

The paper shows avian influenza polymerase uses human ANP32 for cRNA synthesis but requires avian ANP32 for vRNA synthesis, highlighting a difference in ANP32's role in viral replication steps.

Distinct antigenic properties of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages BA.4 and BA.5

This study compares the antigenic properties of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 with BA.1, BA.2, and vaccine-induced antibodies, finding they are antigenically distinct and show enhanced neutralisation breadth after breakthrough infection.

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.

Transcriptional reprogramming from innate immune functions to a pro-thrombotic signature upon SARS-CoV-2 sensing by monocytes in COVID-19

The origins and molecular evolution of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 in the UK

This study investigates the origins and molecular evolution of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 (Alpha) in the UK, finding that a chronically-infected immunocompetent individual likely drove its rapid mutation and spread.

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.

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 ChAdOx1 vectored vaccine, AZD2816, induces strong immunogenicity against SARS-CoV-2 Beta (B.1.351) and other variants of concern in preclinical studies.

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.

Resistance of endothelial cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro

This study shows that endothelial cells are resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to low ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression, suggesting vascular dysfunction in COVID-19 arises from inflammatory factors rather than direct viral infection.

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.

Evaluating the fitness of PA/I38T-substituted influenza A viruses with reduced baloxavir susceptibility in a competitive mixtures ferret model

The paper evaluates the fitness of baloxavir-resistant influenza A viruses in ferrets, finding reduced within-host fitness for A/H3N2 I38T and lower between-host fitness for A/H1N1pdm09 I38T compared to wild-type viruses.

Mammalian ANP32A and ANP32B proteins drive alternative avian influenza virus polymerase adaptations

This study identifies alternative PB2 adaptations that enable influenza polymerase to use mammalian ANP32 proteins, with PB2-E627K showing a preference for ANP32B.

Favipiravir-resistant influenza A virus shows potential for transmission

This study shows favipiravir-resistant influenza A virus can transmit in ferrets but may lose its resistance mutation in vivo due to fitness trade-offs.

Swine ANP32A supports avian influenza virus polymerase

This study shows swine ANP32A supports avian influenza polymerase activity, and human-adapted viruses evolved to use human ANP32 proteins more efficiently.

A rare variant in ANP32B impairs influenza virus replication in human cells

This study identifies a rare variant in ANP32B that impairs influenza virus replication by disrupting FluPol dimer formation and function.

The Consequences of Egg Adaptation in the H3N2 Component to the Immunogenicity of Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine

This study examines how egg adaptation of the H3N2 influenza vaccine strain affects antibody responses in children, finding higher seroconversion rates to the adapted strain but differential mucosal IgA responses based on prior serostatus.

Site-directed M2 proton channel inhibitors enable synergistic combination therapy for rimantadine-resistant pandemic influenza

The paper identifies M2-N31 inhibitors that show synergistic antiviral effects when combined with existing drugs, offering a strategy to combat rimantadine-resistant influenza.

Avian ANP32B does not support influenza A virus polymerase and influenza A virus relies exclusively on ANP32A in chicken cells.

The MHC class-II HLA-DR receptor mediates bat influenza A-like H17N10 virus entry into mammalian cells

This study identifies HLA-DR as a receptor for bat influenza A-like H17N10 virus entry into mammalian cells, revealing a novel mechanism distinct from classical influenza A viruses.

Determining the Mutation Bias of Favipiravir in Influenza Using Next-generation Sequencing

This study uses next-generation sequencing to determine the mutation bias caused by favipiravir in influenza virus RNA, showing it primarily acts as a guanine analogue and secondarily as an adenine analogue.