A. Ward

Cholesterol inhibits oncogenic EphA2 activation

This study shows that cholesterol inhibits EphA2 self-assembly and oncogenic signaling by preventing its activation through an in-trans mechanism involving protein kinase A.

IL-23 drives uveitis by acting on a novel population of tissue-resident entheseal T cells

The paper identifies a novel population of IL-23 responsive T cells in the anterior uvea that drive uveitis and are present in humans.

Repeat modules and N-linked glycans define structure and antigenicity of a critical enterotoxigenic E. coli adhesin

This study identifies key structural and glycosylation features of EtpA, an ETEC adhesin, and shows how antibodies target different epitopes to influence immune responses and pathogen-host interactions.

Assessing AF2's ability to predict structural ensembles of proteins

This study evaluates AF2's ability to predict protein structural ensembles by comparing its results with MD simulations and NMR data for four test proteins.

Immunization of cows with HIV envelope trimers generates broadly neutralizing antibodies to the V2-apex from the ultralong CDRH3 repertoire

This study immunized cows with HIV Env trimers to generate broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting the V2-apex, revealing ultralong CDRH3 antibodies outcompete shorter ones in the response.

Meta-metabolome ecology reveals that geochemistry and microbial functional potential are linked to organic matter development across seven rivers

The paper links geochemistry and microbial functional potential to organic matter development across seven rivers using DOM characterization, geochemical analyses, and shotgun metagenomics.

The histone methyltransferase SETD2 regulates HIV expression and latency through a post-transcriptional mechanism.

This study shows that SETD2 inhibition reduces HIV gene expression and latency by altering viral RNA splicing, not transcription.

Speciation in kleptoparasites of oak gall wasps often correlates with shifts into new tree habitats, tree organs, and gall morphospace

The paper investigates whether host shifts to new trees, organs, or gall morphologies drive diversification in oak gall wasp kleptoparasites, finding that most divergence events correlate with shifts to non-ancestral galls.

Glycan heterogeneity as a cause of the persistent fraction in HIV-1 neutralization

This study investigates how glycan heterogeneity on HIV-1 Env contributes to persistent infectivity despite neutralizing antibody (NAb) treatment, showing that glycan variants affect antibody binding and neutralization efficacy.

Unexpectedly high coral heat tolerance at thermal refugia

The paper identifies thermal refugia with higher heat tolerance in corals, finding that non-thermal factors may influence tolerance and that bleaching patterns do not predict species responses.

Structure of mechanically activated ion channel OSCA2.3 reveals mobile elements in the transmembrane domain

The paper determines the structure of Arabidopsis thaliana OSCA2.3 using cryo-EM, revealing conformational heterogeneity and a conserved interaction between the TM6a-TM7 linker and the Beam-Like Domain.

Deep repertoire mining uncovers ultra-broad coronavirus neutralizing antibodies targeting multiple epitopes

The paper identifies two broadly neutralizing antibodies against coronaviruses by screening B cell repertoires, showing they target different epitopes and offer protection against variants.

Affinity-matured homotypic interactions induce spectrum of PfCSP-antibody structures that influence protection from malaria infection

The paper analyzes structural and functional properties of antibodies targeting PfCSP, showing how homotypic interactions and affinity maturation influence protection against malaria.

Improving the secretion of designed protein assemblies through negative design of cryptic transmembrane domains

This study identifies cryptic transmembrane domains in designed protein nanoparticles that hinder secretion and introduces a computational tool, Degreaser, to remove them while maintaining stability, improving secretion efficiency.

Single-component multilayered self-assembling protein nanoparticles presenting glycan-trimmed uncleaved prefusion optimized envelope trimers as HIV-1 vaccine candidates

Glycan trimming of HIV-1 Env immunogens improves vaccine-induced neutralizing antibody responses in small animals and primates.

Bayesian species distribution models integrate presence-only and presence-absence data to predict deer distribution and relative abundance.

This paper applies Bayesian Integrated Species Distribution Models to empirical data to predict deer distribution and abundance using presence-absence and presence-only data in Ireland.

Lassa virus glycoprotein nanoparticles elicit a neutralizing antibody that defines a new site of vulnerability

This study develops Lassa virus glycoprotein nanoparticles that stabilize GPC trimers and elicit neutralizing antibodies targeting a new vulnerability site.

A combination of potently neutralizing monoclonal antibodies isolated from an Indian convalescent donor protects against the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

This paper identifies two potent monoclonal antibodies from an Indian donor that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants including Delta, showing protection in a mouse model.

Mapping trait versus species turnover reveals spatiotemporal variation in functional redundancy in a plant-pollinator network

The paper examines how trait turnover within species affects functional redundancy and network vulnerability in an Arctic bumblebee-plant pollination network across elevation and season.

Social experience alters different types of learning abilities controlled by distinct brain nuclei in Kryptolebias marmoratus

The paper shows that winning and losing social experiences in Kryptolebias marmoratus alter distinct learning abilities and protein expression in brain regions associated with spatial and risk-avoidance learning.

Structure and immune recognition of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus spike protein

The paper structures the PEDV spike protein using electron microscopy and characterizes the antibody response, revealing structural features and epitope dominance in the S1 region.

Isolation and Characterization of Cross-Neutralizing Coronavirus Antibodies from COVID-19+ Subjects

The paper isolates and characterizes cross-neutralizing antibodies from COVID-19 patients, identifying antibodies that neutralize both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, including variants.

Longitudinal single-cell epitope and RNA-sequencing reveals the immunological impact of type 1 interferon autoantibodies in critical COVID-19

The paper examines IFN-I autoantibodies in critical COVID-19 patients through longitudinal single-cell analysis, revealing suppressed ISG-I responses in myeloid cells.

Immunofocusing and enhancing autologous Tier-2 HIV-1 neutralization by displaying Env trimers on two-component protein nanoparticles

This study shows that displaying HIV-1 Env trimers on two-component protein nanoparticles enhances autologous Tier-2 neutralizing antibody titers in rabbits.

Selective BCL-XLAntagonists Eliminate Infected Cells from a Primary Cell Model of HIV Latency but not from Ex Vivo Reservoirs

This study shows BCL-XL antagonists reduce HIV in a cell model of latency but not in ex vivo reservoirs, suggesting resistance in true reservoir cells.

Global Absence and Targeting of Protective Immune States in Severe COVID-19.

The paper identifies that severe COVID-19 patients lack ISG-expressing cells and have antibodies that block their production, contrasting with mild cases.

HIV-specific T-cell responses reflect substantive in vivo interactions with infected cells despite long-term therapy

The paper shows HIV-specific T-cell responses persist despite long-term ART, indicating ongoing recognition of infected cells and suggesting the reservoir is not fully immunologically silent.

Enhancing glycan occupancy of soluble HIV-1 envelope trimers to mimic the native viral spike

The paper modifies HIV-1 Env trimers to increase glycan occupancy and reduce artificial glycan holes, improving vaccine antigen design.

Polyclonal epitope cartography reveals the temporal dynamics and diversity of human antibody responses to H5N1 vaccination

This study uses EMPEM to track human antibody responses to H5N1 vaccination, showing persistent stem-binding antibodies and transient head-binding antibodies after immunization.

Potent neutralizing antibodies from COVID-19 patients define multiple targets of vulnerability

This study isolates potent neutralizing antibodies from COVID-19 patients that target multiple sites on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, offering insights for vaccine design and therapeutic development.