Amir Balakhmet

Enhancement of a STING Agonist Vaccine for Tuberculosis Using Locally Supercharged MS2 Viral Capsids

This paper develops a vaccine platform using MS2 viral capsids to deliver an Mtb antigen and STING agonist, reducing the required dose and cost while maintaining efficacy.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis suppresses protective Th17 responses during infection

This study identifies factors by which Mycobacterium tuberculosis suppresses Th17 responses during infection, showing that ESX-1 and PDIM inhibit IL-23 production in dendritic cells.

An operon encoding two secreted nucleases mediates virulence in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The paper identifies an operon in MRSA encoding two secreted nucleases that contribute to virulence, showing attenuation in a mouse model when mutated.

Host control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is not influenced by the gut microbiome

This study uses a gnotobiotic mouse model to show that gut microbiome diversity does not affect Mtb lung burden, though it alters immune responses.

Dengue virus-specific memory B cell subsets differ as a function of infection history

This study compares DENV-specific memory B cell subsets in primary and secondary dengue infections, finding qualitative differences in subset frequencies and timing of peak responses.

A highly conserved two-gene operon is crucial for lipoarabinomannan localization, pathogenesis, and cell envelope function in Mycobacterium abscessus

This study identifies the lprg-mfs operon as essential for virulence, lipid distribution, and cell envelope integrity in Mycobacterium abscessus.