K. O. Saunders

Broadly neutralizing antibody induction by non-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 Spike mRNA vaccination in nonhuman primates

Non-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 Spike mRNA vaccination in macaques induces B cell lineages targeting conserved epitopes on Omicron variants or cross-neutralizing epitopes on Sarbecoviruses.

Engineering immunogens that select for specific mutations in HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to design HIV-1 immunogens that select for specific mutations in broadly neutralizing antibodies.

Vaccine-mediated protection against merbecovirus and sarbecovirus challenge in mice

This study develops a trivalent RBD nanoparticle vaccine that protects mice against both merbecovirus and sarbecovirus challenges, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2.

Microsecond dynamics control the HIV-1 envelope conformation

This study uses time-resolved scattering to observe microsecond dynamics in HIV-1 Env, revealing rapid transitions that conventional strategies may not address.

Engineered Immunogens to Elicit Antibodies Against Conserved Coronavirus Epitopes

This study designs engineered immunogens targeting conserved coronavirus epitopes to elicit broad-spectrum antibodies, showing protection in mice against live virus challenge.

Mutation-Guided Vaccine Design: A Strategy for Developing Boosting Immunogens for HIV Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Induction

The paper demonstrates a mutation-guided vaccine strategy that induces HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies in mice by selecting for rare B cell lineage mutations.

Structure-based stabilization of SOSIP Env enhances recombinant ectodomain durability and yield

This paper introduces a proline-stabilization strategy (2P) to enhance the durability and yield of recombinant HIV-1 Env trimers without altering their antigenic or conformational properties.

Breadth of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization and Protection Induced by a Nanoparticle Vaccine

This study shows a nanoparticle vaccine induces broad neutralizing antibodies against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and protects non-human primates and mice from viral challenges.

A germline-targeting chimpanzee SIV envelope glycoprotein elicits a new class of V2-apex directed cross-neutralizing antibodies

This study identifies a new class of V2-directed cross-neutralizing antibodies targeting a cryptic epitope in occluded-open HIV and SIV Env trimers.

Structural basis for breadth development in a HIV-1 neutralizing antibody

This paper determines structures of HIV-1 antibodies at different stages of maturation to understand how neutralization breadth develops through affinity optimization.

Humanized antibody potently neutralizes all SARS-CoV-2 variants by a novel mechanism

The paper describes a humanized antibody, SP1-77, that neutralizes all SARS-CoV-2 variants by blocking membrane fusion instead of ACE2 receptor binding.

Cryo-EM structures of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 spike

This study determines cryo-EM structures of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 spike and compares them to BA.1, revealing structural changes and immune evasion mechanisms.

Structural diversity of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike

The paper compares cryo-EM structures of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta spikes to analyze conformational changes affecting immune evasion and transmissibility.

Identification of CDRH3 Loops in the Naive B Cell Receptor Repertoire that Can Be Engaged by Candidate Immunogens

The paper identifies CDRH3 loops in the naive B cell receptor repertoire that can be engaged by candidate immunogens using a combined experimental and computational approach.

Ability of nucleoside-modified mRNA to encode HIV-1 envelope trimer nanoparticles

This study shows that nucleoside-modified mRNA can encode HIV-1 Env trimer nanoparticles that induce bnAb precursor B cell expansion and neutralizing activity in mice.

A broadly neutralizing antibody protects against SARS-CoV, pre-emergent bat CoVs, and SARS-CoV-2 variants in mice

A broadly neutralizing antibody protects against multiple SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 variants in mice by targeting a conserved epitope in the receptor-binding domain.

Chimeric spike mRNA vaccines protect against Sarbecovirus challenge in mice

This study shows chimeric spike mRNA vaccines protect mice against multiple Sarbecovirus strains, including variants and zoonotic viruses, better than standard SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Effect of natural mutations of SARS-CoV-2 on spike structure, conformation and antigenicity

This study examines how mutations in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein affect its structure, conformation, and antigenicity across variants from different origins.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination induces neutralizing antibodies against pandemic and pre-emergent SARS-related coronaviruses in monkeys

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines induce neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and batCoVs in monkeys.

SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 is susceptible to neutralizing antibodies elicited by ancestral Spike vaccines

This study shows that B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant remains neutralizable by antibodies from ancestral Spike vaccines and convalescent sera, though with reduced efficacy.

Rapid selection of HIV envelopes that bind to neutralizing antibody B cell lineage members with functional improbable mutations

The paper identifies a minimal set of mutations required for the function of a HIV bnAb and demonstrates in vitro selection of envelope immunogens that can bind to antibodies with these mutations.

Lipid nanoparticle encapsulated nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccines elicit polyfunctional HIV-1 antibodies comparable to proteins in nonhuman primates

This study compares the immunogenicity of mRNA-LNP vaccines to protein vaccines in nonhuman primates, finding comparable or superior HIV-1 antibody responses.

Mouse and Human Antibodies that Bind HLA-E-Leader Peptide Complexes and Enhance NK Cell Cytotoxicity

The paper isolates antibodies that bind HLA-E-Leader peptide complexes and enhance NK cell cytotoxicity in both mice and humans.

Recapitulation of HIV-1 Env-Antibody Coevolution in Macaques Leading to Neutralization Breadth

Virus-antibody coevolution in rhesus macaques recapitulates developmental features of human antibodies.

A glycan cluster on the SARS-CoV-2 spike ectodomain is recognized by Fab-dimerized glycan-reactive antibodies

The paper shows that HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies recognize a glycan cluster on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, revealing a potential target for vaccine design.

Fab-dimerized glycan-reactive antibodies neutralize HIV and are prevalent in humans and rhesus macaques

The paper identifies Fab-dimerized glycan-reactive antibodies in HIV-infected macaques and HIV-naïve humans that neutralize HIV-1 and can be elicited by vaccination.

Immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of sequential immunizations with an SIV-based IDLV expressing CH505 Envs

This study evaluates an SIV-based IDLV vaccine expressing sequential CH505 Envs in rhesus macaques, showing improved antibody responses and virus control but no broadly neutralizing antibodies.

Disruption of the HIV-1 Envelope allosteric network blocks CD4-induced rearrangements

This study identifies a critical role for W571 in HIV-1 Env allostery by showing mutations disrupting CD4-induced rearrangements and rendering Env insensitive to CD4 binding.

Boosting with ALVAC-HIV and AIDSVAX B/E enhances Env constant region 1 and 2 antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity

The paper shows that boosting RV144 vaccine recipients with ALVAC-HIV and AIDSVAX B/E increases C1C2-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity breadth and potency.

Functional Improbable Antibody Mutations Critical for HIV Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Development

The paper identifies improbable mutations critical for HIV broadly neutralizing antibody development and proposes a mutation-guided vaccine strategy.