Piet Maes

Mechanistic insights into coronavirus inhibition by a distinct base-modified adenosine analog targeting the viral polymerase

This paper investigates the mechanism of 6-ethyl-modified 7-deazaadenosine (EDA) as a coronavirus inhibitor, showing it stalls viral polymerase without causing mutagenesis.

A historical cross-border Andes virus lineage reveals the origin of a cruise ship hantavirus pulmonary syndrome outbreak

The paper traces the origin of a cruise ship hantavirus pulmonary syndrome outbreak to a specific geographic corridor in the Andes using genomic analysis of Andes virus sequences.

Sec61 translocon inhibitor Flavitransin blocks selectively dengue virus polyprotein insertion into the ER membrane with pan-flavivirus antiviral potency

Flavitransin inhibits dengue virus polyprotein insertion into the ER membrane, showing broad antiviral activity against flaviviruses.

Random mutagenesis of influenza hemagglutinin identifies new sites which modulate its acid-stability and cleavability

This study identifies mutations in influenza hemagglutinin that increase acid-stability and decrease cleavability, with implications for viral transmissibility and vaccine development.

A guanidine-based coronavirus replication inhibitor which targets the nsp15 endoribonuclease and selects for interferon-susceptible mutant viruses

This paper identifies EPB-113, a guanidine-based inhibitor of coronavirus nsp15 endoribonuclease, which suppresses viral replication and selects for interferon-susceptible mutants.

Antigenic imprinting dominates humoral responses to new variants of SARS-CoV-2 in a hamster model of COVID-19

This study shows that antigenic imprinting limits neutralizing antibody responses to new SARS-CoV-2 variants in hamsters, suggesting challenges for vaccine efficacy against emerging subvariants.

Genetic diversity and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in Belgium during the first wave outbreak

This study analyzes SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity in Belgium during its first wave, linking variant distribution to epidemiological measures and mutations.

Drug development of an affinity enhanced, broadly neutralizing heavy chain-only antibody that restricts SARS-CoV-2 in rodents

The paper describes the development of a broadly neutralizing antibody, XVR011, effective against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in animal models.