William Barclay

Antiviral Sulfonated Polymersomes Inhibit Corona-, Influenza-, and Alphavirus

This study designs sulfonated polymersomes that inhibit multiple viruses by targeting host cell receptors, showing potent in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity.

Bovine H5N1 influenza viruses have adapted to more efficiently use receptors abundant in cattle

This study shows bovine H5N1 influenza viruses have adapted to efficiently use NeuGc receptors in cattle, enhancing replication without significantly altering zoonotic risk.

The mammalian-adaptive PB2-E627K substitution preserves viral fitness of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV in birds.

This study shows that the mammalian-adaptive PB2-E627K mutation in H5N1 HPAIV maintains viral fitness in avian hosts, increasing zoonotic risk.

Emerging Haemagglutinin Mutations in Bovine-origin H5N1 Influenza Viruses from Humans and Cattle Retain Avian Receptor Binding with Increased Stability

This study examines HA mutations in bovine-origin H5N1 influenza viruses, finding they retain avian receptor binding but show increased HA stability, potentially raising zoonotic risk.

Mutations in severe human H5N1 cases facilitate evasion from human mucus and antivirals

This study examines mutations in H5N1 influenza virus HA that affect receptor binding and antiviral susceptibility, finding reduced sialic acid binding correlates with mucus evasion and antiviral resistance.

RBM6-mediated alternative splicing facilitates the adaptation of Eurasian avian-like H1N1 swine influenza virus

This study identifies RBM6 as a host factor that enhances EA H1N1 SIV replication through alternative splicing at the M901 site, with implications for viral adaptation and interspecies transmission.

Influenza A virus polymerase co-opts distinct sets of host proteins for RNA transcription or replication

This study identifies host proteins co-opted by influenza A virus polymerase for transcription or replication using differential interactome screening.

Polymerase mutations underlie early adaptation of H5N1 influenza virus to dairy cattle and other mammals.

Cattle B3.13 H5N1 polymerase gained PB2 M631L and PA K497R, boosting replication in bovine and human cells via better bovine ANP32A use; later PB2 E627K and D740N add activity.

Evolutionary rewiring of host metabolism and interferon signalling by SARS-CoV-2 variants

This study compares host metabolic and signaling responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants, finding that Omicron causes a more restrained response compared to pre-Omicron variants.

Genetic reassortment and diversification of host specificity have driven evolutionary trajectories of lineages of panzootic H5N1 influenza

GGCX promotes Eurasian avian-like H1N1 swine influenza virus adaption to interspecies receptor binding

This study identifies GGCX as a key factor enabling EA H1N1 SIV adaptation to human-type -2,6 sialic acid receptors through HA carboxylation, suggesting it as a potential antiviral target.

The Haemagglutinin Gene of Bovine Origin H5N1 Influenza Viruses Currently Retains an Avian Influenza Virus phenotype.

Haemagglutinin of US cattle and goat H5N1 binds only avian-type receptors and fuses at pH 5.9; seven emerging cattle mutations did not switch receptor preference.

Genomic screening of 16 UK native bat species through conservationist networks uncovers coronaviruses with zoonotic potential

The paper screens bat samples for coronaviruses, identifies novel strains, and assesses their potential to infect humans.