David Veesler

Endothelial protein C receptor is an entry receptor for Langya virus

This study identifies the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) as the entry receptor for Langya virus and reveals the molecular basis of its interaction with the viral attachment glycoprotein.

Structure and antigenicity of the 2026 Bundibugyo virus glycoprotein

This study determines the structure of the 2026 Bundibugyo virus glycoprotein and identifies conserved epitopes for antibody therapeutics and pan-ebolavirus vaccines.

Proteolytic control of the SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site defines the phenotypic evolution from the pandemic to endemic state

The paper shows how SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly Omicron, evolved proteolytic controls at the Spike furin cleavage site to enhance transmission while reducing lower respiratory tract pathogenicity.

Computational design of potent, broadly neutralizing anti-Nipah virus and Hendra virus miniproteins

This paper computationally designs thermostable miniproteins that neutralize Nipah and Hendra viruses with subnanomolar affinity and potent in vitro antiviral activity.

Pan-neutralization of parainfluenza viruses by a hemagglutinin-neuraminidase antibody

This paper identifies a monoclonal antibody, PVA269, that broadly neutralizes multiple parainfluenza viruses by targeting the HN glycoprotein, showing potent prophylactic activity in a cotton rat model.

Repeated COVID-19 vaccine boosters elicit variant-specific memory B cells in humans

The paper shows repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine boosters elicit variant-specific memory B cells and neutralizing antibodies, suggesting immune imprinting can be overcome with updated vaccines.

Mutations to the HCoV-229E spike have counterbalancing effects on serum antibody neutralization and receptor binding

The paper examines how mutations in the HCoV-229E spike affect receptor binding and serum neutralization, revealing counterbalancing effects on these functions.

Functional and antigenic constraints on the Nipah virus fusion protein

This study measures the functional and antigenic effects of ~8,500 F protein mutations in Nipah virus using pseudoviruses, revealing constraints on its structure and neutralization by antibodies.

A stabilized MERS-CoV spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine elicits robust and protective neutralizing antibody responses

This paper develops a stabilized MERS-CoV spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine that elicits strong neutralizing antibodies in mice and non-human primates, providing protection against MERS-CoV infection.

A pan-variant miniprotein inhibitor protects against SARS-CoV-2 variants

This paper describes a miniprotein inhibitor that neutralizes multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and protects mice against them when administered post-exposure.

Computationally designed mRNA-launched protein nanoparticle vaccines

This paper develops an mRNA-launched nanoparticle vaccine that combines protein nanoparticle and mRNA vaccine advantages, showing enhanced antibody and T cell responses in mice.

Designed miniproteins potently inhibit and protect against MERS-CoV

This study designs miniproteins that inhibit MERS-CoV by targeting the spike protein, showing broad neutralization and protective efficacy in mice.

Potent neutralization of Marburg virus by a vaccine-elicited monoclonal antibody

This study identifies a potent monoclonal antibody, MARV16, that broadly neutralizes Marburg virus and related viruses, with a cryo-EM structure revealing its mechanism of action.

Phylogeny-driven design of broadly protective sarbecovirus receptor-binding domain nanoparticle vaccines

This paper designs multivalent RBD nanoparticle vaccines that overcome immune imprinting and provide broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants and sarbecoviruses.

SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 mediates broad inhibition of translation in mammals

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 inhibits translation in bat cells and human cells, revealing its broad activity across mammals.

Recognition of unique cell surface glycopolymers by diversified lectin domains specifies umbrella toxin targeting

The paper identifies teichuronic acid oligosaccharides as the receptor for umbrella toxins and shows targeting specificity arises from lectin domain recognition of variable TUA-WTA structures.

Functional and antigenic landscape of the Nipah virus receptor binding protein

This study uses deep mutational scanning to analyze how mutations in the Nipah virus receptor-binding protein affect function, receptor binding, and antibody escape, revealing constrained regions and limited antigenic variation in natural strains.

ACE2 utilization of HKU25 clade MERS-related coronaviruses with broad geographic distribution

The paper shows that HKU25 clade MERS-related coronaviruses use ACE2 as a receptor, challenging prior beliefs that DPP4 was their main receptor.

Molecular basis of convergent evolution of ACE2 receptor utilization among HKU5 coronaviruses

HKU5 merbecoviruses use bat Pipistrellus abramus ACE2 and several artiodactyl ACE2s through a cryo-EM-defined binding mode distinct from other ACE2-using coronaviruses, showing independent evolution of ACE2 usage.

Protein nanoparticle vaccines induce potent neutralizing antibody responses against MERS-CoV

This study develops MERS-CoV vaccines using a protein nanoparticle platform, showing they induce strong neutralizing antibodies and protect mice against MERS-CoV challenge.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies against emerging delta-coronaviruses

The paper isolates two human monoclonal antibodies that broadly neutralize PDCoV variants and identifies their mechanism of action.

Engineering customized viral receptors for various coronaviruses

This paper develops a method to engineer customized viral receptors (CVRs) for various coronaviruses, enabling infection models for viruses lacking known receptors.

Computational design of prefusion-stabilized Herpesvirus gB trimers

This study computationally stabilizes and characterizes herpesvirus gB trimers, revealing a new mechanism of fusion and providing a blueprint for vaccine development.

Molecular basis of pathogenicity of the recently emerged FCoV-23 coronavirus

This study identifies molecular mechanisms of FCoV-23 pathogenicity, including receptor usage and biotype switching, and identifies a cross-reactive antibody for therapeutic development.

Mapping immunodominant sites on the MERS-CoV spike glycoprotein targeted by infection-elicited antibodies in humans

This study maps immunodominant sites on MERS-CoV spike glycoprotein targeted by infection-elicited antibodies in humans, showing peak neutralizing activity against S1 and RBD epitopes.

Detection of antibodies neutralizing historical and emerging SARS-CoV-2 strains using a thermodynamically coupled de novo biosensor system

The paper introduces a thermodynamically coupled biosensor to rapidly detect neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 strains in serum samples.

Computational design of nanoscale rotational mechanics in de novo protein assemblies

This paper computationally designs self-assembling protein rotary machines that sample internal rotational degrees of freedom based on energy landscapes.

Multivalent designed proteins protect against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

The paper designs and characterizes trivalent miniprotein binders that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants with low pM IC50 values and provide prophylactic and therapeutic protection in mice.

Generation of ordered protein assemblies using rigid three-body fusion

The paper introduces a computational method for designing rigid protein assemblies through three-body fusion and validates it experimentally with mass spectrometry and cryo-EM.

In silico detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific B-cell epitopes and validation in ELISA for serological diagnosis of COVID-19

The paper predicts SARS-CoV-2 B-cell epitopes using computational methods and validates them with ELISA, finding two antigens with high sensitivity and specificity for serological diagnosis of COVID-19.