This study establishes a lethal mouse model of Oz virus infection, revealing hepatic involvement and demonstrating the efficacy of antiviral drugs and vaccines against the virus.

bioRxiv · Jan 29, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology

Near real-time data on the human neutralizing antibody landscape to influenza virus as of early 2026 to inform vaccine-strain selection

Caroline Kikawa, John Huddleston, Samuel A. Turner, Andrea N. Loes, Jiaojiao Liu, Sydney Gang, Tachianna Griffiths, Elizabeth M. Drapeau, Benjamin John Cowling, Faith C. S. Ho, Nancy Leung, Janet A. Englund, Kirsten Lacombe, Shinji Watanabe, Hideki Hasegawa, , Jesse D. Bloom

Sequencing-based neutralization of 91 H3N2 and H1N1 hemagglutinins against 302 human sera (27,409 titers) shows reduced titers to H3N2 subclade K and H1N1 D.3.1.1.

Virus Evolution · Jan 1, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology✦ In-depth digest

Combinational adjuvants delivered by ink-jet potentiate naked mRNA vaccines for robust protection against infectious diseases

Nan Qiao, Junichi Ishikawa, Fumihiko Yasui, Kaori Sano, Kei Miyakawa, Akimasa Hayashi, Ahmad Faisal Amiry, Liu Haonan, Zhu Xueyang, Taku Sato, Renata Pasqualini, Wadih Arap, Kazunori Kataoka, Hideki Hasegawa, Michinori Kohara, Satoshi Uchida

This study identifies a combination of adjuvants that enhance the immunogenicity of naked mRNA vaccines delivered by jet-injection, achieving protection against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza with reduced reactogenicity.

bioRxiv · Dec 27, 2025 · PreprintBioengineering

Near real-time data on the human neutralizing antibody landscape to influenza virus to inform vaccine-strain selection in September 2025

Caroline Kikawa, John Huddleston, Andrea N. Loes, Sam A Turner, Jover Lee, Ian Barr, Benjamin John Cowling, Janet A. Englund, Alexander L. Greninger, Ruth Harvey, Hideki Hasegawa, Faith C. S. Ho, Kirsten Lacombe, Nancy Leung, Nicola S. Lewis, , Jesse D. Bloom

The paper quantifies neutralizing antibody responses to influenza strains using sera collected in 2024-2025 to inform vaccine-strain selection for 2025.

Virus Evolution · Jan 1, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Rapid neutralizing assay for circulating H5N1 influenza virus in dairy cows

Kei Miyakawa, Makoto Ota, Kaori Sano, Fumitaka Momose, Takashi Okura, Noriko Kishida, Tomoko Arita, Yasushi A. Suzuki, Masayuki Shirakura, Hideki Asanuma, Shinji Watanabe, Akihide Ryo, Hideki Hasegawa

The paper develops a rapid neutralization assay for H5N1 influenza virus in cows and shows cross-reactivity of antibodies against circulating H5N1.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses · Dec 1, 2024Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Neutralizing antibody evasion of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 derivatives KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1, and XEC

Kaori Sano, Kei Miyakawa, Hideaki Kato, Yayoi Kimura, Atsushi Goto, Akihide Ryo, Shinji Watanabe, Hideki Hasegawa

The paper evaluates neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 variants in vaccinated individuals, finding significant immune escape by some variants but robust cross-neutralization by JN.1-based immunization.

Vaccine · Nov 5, 2024Peer-reviewedImmunology