The paper characterizes Chikungunya virus outbreaks in Brazil's southernmost state, identifying lineage changes and transmission dynamics from 2017 to 2021.

bioRxiv · Sep 30, 2022 · PreprintMolecular Biology

Y380Q novel mutation in receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein together with C379W interfere in the neutralizing antibodies interaction

Ivaine Taís Sauthier Sartor, Fernanda Hammes Varela, Mariana Rost Meireles, Luciane Beatriz Kern, Thaís Raupp Azevedo, Gabriela Luchiari Tumioto Giannini, Mariana Soares da Silva, Meriane Demoliner, Juliana Schons Gularte, Paula Rodrigues de Almeida, Juliane Deise Fleck, Gabriela Oliveira Zavaglia, Ingrid Rodrigues Fernandes, Caroline Nespolo de David, Amanda Paz Santos, , COVIDa study group

The paper identifies a novel Y380Q mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD, along with C379W, which may interfere with neutralizing antibody binding in early pandemic variants.

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease · Jan 16, 2022Peer-reviewedGenetic & Genomic Medicine

Pervasive transmission of E484K and emergence of VUI-NP13L with evidence of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection events by two different lineages in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Ronaldo da Silva Francisco, Luiz Felipe Benites, Alessandra Pavan Lamarca, Luiz Gonzaga Paula de Almeida, Alana Witt Hansen, Juliana Schons Gularte, Meriane Demoliner, Alexandra Lehmkuhl Gerber, Ana Paula de Campos Guimarães, Ana Karolina Antunes Eisen, Fágner Henrique Heldt, Larissa Mallmann, Bruna Saraiva Hermann, Ana Luíza Ziulkoski, Vyctoria Malayhka de Abreu Góes Pereira, , Fernando Rosado Spilki

The paper investigates the spread of the E484K variant and identifies a novel lineage VUI-NP13L in Brazil, along with co-infection events between different SARS-CoV-2 lineages.

Virus Research · Feb 22, 2021Peer-reviewedGenetic & Genomic Medicine

Comparison Of Different Kits For SARS-CoV-2 RNA Extraction Marketed In Brazil

Ana Karolina Antunes Eisen, Meriane Demoliner, Juliana Schons Gularte, Alana Witt Hansen, Karoline Schallenberger, Larissa Mallmann, Bruna Saraiva Hermann, Fágner Henrique Heldt, Paula Rodrigues de Almeida, Juliane Deise Fleck, Fernando Rosado Spilki

This study compares four RNA extraction kits for SARS-CoV-2 detection via qRT-PCR, finding that magnetic beads and silica column methods perform best.

bioRxiv · May 29, 2020 · PreprintMolecular Biology

SARS-CoV2 quantification using RT-dPCR: a faster and safer alternative to assist viral genomic copies assessment using RT-qPCR

Paula Rodrigues de Almeida, Meriane Demoliner, Ana Karolina Antunes Eisen, Fágner Henrique Heldt, Alana Witt Hansen, Karoline Schallenberger, Juliane Deise Fleck, Fernando Rosado Spilki

This study compares RT-dPCR with RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 quantification, finding RT-dPCR provides higher precision and equivalent results across assays.

bioRxiv · May 1, 2020 · PreprintMolecular Biology