The paper analyzes the functional and structural characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.3.2.1 spike, showing trade-offs between immune evasion and replication fitness.

Cell Reports · Aug 1, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

VSA-2, a novel plant-derived adjuvant for SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine

Awadalkareem Adam, Christy Lee, Madison C. Jones, Brinley Harrington, Jing Zou, Bi‐Hung Peng, Xuping Xie, P Wang, Tian Wang

This study develops VSA-2, a plant-derived adjuvant for SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccines, showing it induces strong immune responses and protection comparable to QS-21.

Vaccine · Jan 22, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Mechanistic Insights into Dengue Virus Inhibition by a Clinical Trial Compound NITD-688

Yan Wang, Long Sun, Luciana de Souza Fernandes, Yu-Hsiu Wang, Jing Zou, Samuel J. Franklin, Yanping Hu, Lee K. Palmer, Jason Yeung, Daniela Barriga, William K. Russell, Stephanie A. Moquin, Pei‐Yong Shi, Colin K. Skepper, Xuping Xie

This study identifies how NITD-688 inhibits dengue virus by binding NS4B and disrupting its interaction with NS3, reducing viral replication.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Mar 28, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology