Roy N. Platt

Misleading inference of schistosome epidemiology from ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and mitochondrial DNA

Whole-genome SNVs from Nigerian schistosomes show cox1/ITS genotyping wrongly flags human-derived parasites as recent hybrids or zoonotic infections; they are S. haematobium with low livestock introgression.

Enhanced Pathogenicity and Contact Transmissibility of Human-origin Avian Influenza H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b Genotype B3.13 Compared to D1.1 in Ferrets

This study compares the pathogenicity and transmissibility of two H5N1 genotypes in ferrets, finding B3.13 is more pathogenic and transmissible than D1.1, while D1.1 acquires adaptive mutations rapidly.

Efficient amplicon panels for evaluating hybridization and genetic structure in the Schistosoma haematobium species group

The paper evaluates efficient amplicon panels for detecting hybridization and genetic structure in Schistosoma haematobium, finding that 500 SNVs capture >99% of whole genome genetic information at lower cost.

Bioluminescent reporter influenza A viruses to track viral infections

This paper develops recombinant influenza A viruses expressing nanoluciferase for in vitro and in vivo tracking of viral infections, showing they replicate efficiently and can be imaged using IVIS.

A Human H5N1 Influenza Virus Expressing Bioluminescence for Evaluating Viral Infection and Identifying Therapeutic Interventions

This paper develops a bioluminescent H5N1 influenza virus to track infection and test antiviral drugs in vitro and in vivo.

Abundant genetic variation is retained in many laboratory schistosome populations

This study finds that laboratory Schistosoma mansoni populations retain abundant genetic variation, with implications for drug resistance studies and GWAS.

Pooled long-read sequencing for structural variant characterization in schistosome populations

This study uses pooled long-read sequencing to identify and genotype 17,446 structural variants in five Schistosoma mansoni populations, revealing population-specific variants and associations with biomedically relevant traits.

Genomic data reveal a north-south split and introgression history of blood fluke (Schistosoma haematobium) populations from across Africa

The paper analyzes genomic data from Schistosoma haematobium populations across Africa, revealing a north-south genetic split and ancient introgression events with S. bovis, with some genes approaching fixation and sex chromosomes showing introgression resistance.

A Live Attenuated Vaccine Candidate against Emerging Highly Pathogenic Cattle-Origin 2.3.4.4b H5N1 Viruses

This paper develops a live attenuated vaccine candidate, LPhTXdNS1, against H5N1 influenza viruses and shows it is safe, immunogenic, and protective in mice.

Rapid phenotypic and genotypic change in a laboratory schistosome population

The paper detects recent contamination in a laboratory Schistosoma mansoni population and shows how genetic drift causes divergence in parasite populations over time.

Prospecting for zoonotic pathogens using targeted DNA enrichment

The paper develops a targeted DNA enrichment method using RNA probes to identify zoonotic pathogens in museum-archived tissues, demonstrating its effectiveness in detecting bacterial species.

Comparison of genetic variation between rare and common congeners of Dipodomys with estimates of contemporary and historical effective population size

The paper compares genetic variation and effective population size between two Dipodomys species, finding lower diversity and effective population size in the threatened D. elator compared to the common D. ordii.

Improved genome assembly of American alligator genome reveals conserved architecture of estrogen signaling

The paper improves the American alligator genome assembly and identifies estrogen-responsive regions linked to female-biased gene expression in post-temperature-sensitive gonads.