Taha Y. Taha

Genome-wide within-host evolution during prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection in a person with advanced HIV infection

The paper tracks SARS-CoV-2 mutations over 90 days in an HIV-positive individual and tests their functional impact on viral entry and replication.

Secreted ORF8 reprograms macrophages to enhance SARS-CoV-2 infection of lung epithelial cells

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2's ORF8 protein reprograms macrophages to enhance viral infection of lung epithelial cells, contributing to lung pathology in COVID-19.

Epistasis between SARS-CoV-2 M and N Proteins Balances Particle Assembly and Immune Evasion

The paper investigates how mutations in SARS-CoV-2 M and N proteins balance viral particle assembly and immune evasion through co-evolution.

Pandemic Coronavirus Genome Packaging Relies on Multiple Dispersed Packaging Signals

This study identifies multiple dispersed packaging signals in the SARS-CoV-2 genome that cooperate to direct RNA packaging into virions, revealing a dynamic mechanism for coronavirus genome assembly.

Coronavirus protein interaction mapping in bat and human cells identifies molecular and genetic switches for immune evasion and replication

Coupling high-throughput protease enzymology with viral replication reveals biochemical constraints of viral fitness

The paper links protease sequence variation to biochemical parameters and viral fitness using high-throughput enzymology and replication assays.

Discovery of AVI-6451, a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 ADP-Ribosylhydrolase Mac1 with Oral Efficacy in vivo

This paper identifies AVI-6451, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Mac1 with once-daily efficacy in a mouse model.

A non-spike nucleocapsid R204P mutation in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XEC enhances inflammation and pathogenicity

This study identifies the non-spike R204P mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XEC variant as a driver of increased inflammation and pathogenicity through NF-κB activation.

The Mac1 ADP-ribosylhydrolase is a Therapeutic Target for SARS-CoV-2

This study identifies Mac1 as a therapeutic target for SARS-CoV-2 and demonstrates that AVI-4206, a small molecule inhibitor, reduces viral replication and improves survival in an animal model.

Structure-based discovery of highly bioavailable, covalent, broad-spectrum coronavirus-MPro inhibitors with potent in vivo efficacy

This paper describes the discovery of new coronavirus MPro inhibitors with improved pharmacokinetics, broad-spectrum antiviral activity, and superior in vivo efficacy compared to existing drugs.

Enhanced RNA replication and pathogenesis in recent SARS-CoV-2 variants harboring the L260F mutation in NSP6

This study identifies the L260F mutation in NSP6 as enhancing RNA replication and pathogenesis in recent SARS-CoV-2 variants, independent of Spike function.

Torsional Twist of the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 SUD-N and SUD-M domains

The paper resolves the x-ray structure of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 SUD-N/M domains and shows they have rotational flexibility, with disulfide bonds absent in pangolin-SARS and related viruses.

Viral E Protein Neutralizes BET Protein-Mediated Post-Entry Antagonism of SARS-CoV-2

The paper shows that BET proteins are antiviral factors against SARS-CoV-2, and the viral E protein neutralizes BET-mediated post-entry antiviral effects.