M. Farzan

In vivo affinity maturation of the HIV-1 Env-binding domain of CD4

This study demonstrates that non-antibody protein biologics can undergo affinity maturation in vivo, leading to improved binding affinity and neutralization potency against HIV-1.

In vivo affinity maturation of murine B cells reprogrammed to express human antibodies

This study demonstrates that CRISPR-edited murine B cells expressing human antibodies can undergo affinity maturation, generating potent neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.

Heavy-chain CDR3-engineered B cells facilitate in vivo evaluation of HIV-1 vaccine candidates

The paper evaluates HIV-1 vaccine candidates using HCDR3-engineered B cells, finding that SOSIP-TM mRNA-lipid nanoparticles induce stronger anti-apex responses than multimerized SOSIP proteins.

Mechanistic investigation of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spike mutants via full quantum mechanical modeling

The paper uses quantum mechanical modeling to predict and analyze binding strengths of SARS-CoV-2 spike variants to the human ACE2 receptor, validating predictions experimentally.

Anticipating future SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern through ab initio quantum mechanical modeling

This paper uses quantum mechanical modeling to predict the impact of SARS-CoV-2 mutations on hACE2 binding and identify potential future variants of concern.

Identification of Potent Small Molecule Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Entry

This study identifies small molecule inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 entry through high-throughput screening and validates Calpeptin as a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 and some variants.

Efficient reprogramming of the heavy-chain CDR3 regions of a human antibody repertoire

The paper reprograms human B cells to express HCDR3 regions of HIV-1 bNAbs, enabling diverse and physiologic repertoires that efficiently bind HIV-1 antigens.

A trimeric human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent in vitro

This study creates a trimeric ACE2 variant with high affinity for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and shows it inhibits viral infection in cell culture.

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations on animal ACE2 usage and in vitro neutralization sensitivity

This study evaluates how SARS-CoV-2 variants bind animal ACE2 proteins and their sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies and ACE2-Ig constructs, finding increased ACE2 affinity and partial resistance to antibodies but enhanced neutralization by ACE2-Ig.

The D614G mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein reduces S1 shedding and increases infectivity

The paper compares the D614G mutation in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, finding it reduces S1 shedding and increases infectivity without affecting ACE2 binding or neutralization.

An engineered receptor-binding domain improves the immunogenicity of multivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

This paper shows that an engineered RBD with glycosylation sites improves immunogenicity and expression efficiency in SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Hydroxychloroquine-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry is attenuated by TMPRSS2

This paper shows hydroxychloroquine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 entry via cathepsin L but not TMPRSS2, and that combining it with a TMPRSS2 inhibitor enhances antiviral effects.

Mutations from bat ACE2 orthologs markedly enhance ACE2-Fc neutralization of SARS-CoV-2

Potential host range of multiple SARS-like coronaviruses and an improved ACE2-Fc variant that is potent against both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1

The paper investigates the host range of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses and identifies an improved ACE2-Fc variant effective against both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1.

The SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain elicits a potent neutralizing response without antibody-dependent enhancement

This study shows that immunization with SARS-CoV-2 RBD elicits potent neutralizing antibodies without antibody-dependent enhancement in rodents.