Arjun Rustagi

Distinct virus-derived circular RNA molecule influences host response during SARS-CoV-2 infection

The paper identifies a novel SARS-CoV-2-derived circular RNA, circ7b8N, which modulates host gene expression and is detectable in clinical samples, suggesting a role in host-pathogen interactions.

FunctionaL Assigning Sequence Homing (FLASH) maps phenotype to sequence with deep and machine learning

FLASH predicts phenotype from sequence using deep learning, achieving high accuracy on unseen variants and identifying new virulence predictors across microbes.

STRUCT: a statistical approach to identify RNA secondary structures from raw sequencing data, bypassing multiple sequence alignment

STRUCT identifies RNA secondary structures from raw sequencing data without multiple sequence alignment, rediscovering known elements and finding novel viral structures.

Genome-wide, bidirectional CRISPR screens identify mucins as critical host factors modulating SARS-CoV-2 infection

The paper uses CRISPR screens to identify mucins as key host factors that restrict SARS-CoV-2 infection in human lung cells.

Activated interstitial macrophages are a predominant target of viral takeover and focus of inflammation in COVID-19 initiation in human lung

This paper identifies activated interstitial macrophages as a key target of SARS-CoV-2 infection in human lung tissue, showing their role in viral takeover, inflammation, and fibrosis.

CRISPRa screening with real world evidence identifies potassium channels as neuronal entry factors and druggable targets for SARS-CoV-2

The paper uses CRISPRa screening and real-world data to identify KCNA6 as a neuronal entry factor for SARS-CoV-2 and shows dalfampridine can suppress viral entry.

Human B cell clonal expansion and convergent antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2

This study examines B cell clonal expansion and convergent antibody responses in SARS-CoV-2 patients, identifying shared features with SARS-CoV.