M. Ott

Regulation of virion production by the ORF8 signal peptide across SARS-CoV-2 variants

This study shows ORF8 suppresses viral particle production by interacting with Spike and causing Golgi fragmentation, supporting evolutionary pressure to delete ORF8 in SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Assembly reactions of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein with nucleic acid

This study investigates the assembly of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein with nucleic acids using biophysical techniques and mutant proteins, revealing key interaction motifs and stabilization mechanisms.

Colloidal aggregation confounds cell-based Covid-19 antiviral screens

The paper investigates how colloidal aggregation affects cell-based antiviral screens for Covid-19 drugs, finding that aggregation reduces antiviral potency and suggests a non-specific mechanism.

Post-acute immunological and behavioral sequelae in mice after Omicron infection

This study investigates post-acute immunological and behavioral effects in mice after Omicron infection, showing vaccination reduces pulmonary immune perturbations and behavioral deficits.

A single inactivating amino acid change in the SARS-CoV-2 NSP3 Mac1 domain attenuates viral replication and pathogenesis in vivo

This study shows that mutating the SARS-CoV-2 NSP3 Mac1 domain reduces viral replication and pathogenesis in vivo.

Rapid assembly of SARS-CoV-2 genomes reveals attenuation of the Omicron BA.1 variant through NSP6

The paper introduces a plasmid-based method to assemble SARS-CoV-2 genomes and identifies NSP6 mutations as causing Omicron attenuation.

Structure-based discovery of inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 N7-methyltransferase

The paper identifies multiple inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 N7-methyltransferase using docking strategies, with some showing sub-10 M potency and selectivity.

Mild SARS-CoV-2 infection results in long-lasting microbiota instability

This study shows that mild SARS-CoV-2 infection causes long-term gut microbiota instability in both humans and mice, with Omicron variant also disrupting microbial communities despite causing milder symptoms.

SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 limits expression levels of Spike antigen.

This study identifies ORF8 as a SARS-CoV-2 protein that reduces Spike antigen levels on infected cells, thereby limiting antibody recognition and immune evasion.

NF-κB inhibitor alpha has a cross-variant role during SARS-CoV-2 infection in ACE2-overexpressing human airway organoids

The paper uses ACE2-overexpressing airway organoids to show NF-κB inhibitor alpha is upregulated during SARS-CoV-2 infection and its reduced function increases viral infection.

Structure-function analysis of enterovirus protease 2A in complex with its essential host factor SETD3

The paper reports the cryo-EM structure of SETD3 interacting with enterovirus protease 2A and shows that mutations in the SET domain reduce binding and protect against infection.

A single-component luminescent biosensor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

This paper develops a single-component luminescent biosensor for detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using E. coli and S. cerevisiae, enabling detection with a cell phone camera.

Immediate myeloid depot for SARS-CoV-2 in the human lung

The paper investigates early SARS-CoV-2 infection in human lung myeloid cells, finding rapid viral tropism, ACE2 dependence, and poor interferon induction, suggesting a myeloid depot for viral persistence.

SIRT5 is a proviral factor that interacts with SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 protein

This study identifies SIRT5 as a proviral factor that interacts with SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14, enhancing viral replication and suggesting it as a therapeutic target.

Hepatitis C Virus Infects and Perturbs Liver Stem Cells

This study identifies liver stem cells as targets of HCV infection, showing their transcriptional reprogramming and role in liver damage and cancer risk.

The prion and HSP104 modulate cytochrome c oxidase deficiency caused by deletion of COX12

The paper shows that deletion of COX12 in yeast leads to cytochrome c oxidase deficiency, which is mitigated by HSP104 and the loss of the [PSI+] prion.

Liver Organoid and T Cell Coculture Models Cytotoxic T Cell Responses against Hepatitis C Virus

This paper develops a microfluidic coculture system of liver organoids and T cells to study HCV-specific cytotoxic T cell responses in vitro.

Rapid assessment of SARS-CoV-2 evolved variants using virus-like particles

This study uses SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles to rapidly assess mutations in viral variants, finding that N protein mutations enhance RNA packaging and viral spread.

SARS-CoV-2 infection studies in lung organoids identify TSPAN8 as novel mediator

The paper identifies TSPAN8 as a novel mediator of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung organoids, showing its correlation with infection rates and susceptibility to blocking antibodies.

Novel RT-ddPCR assays for determining the transcriptional profile of SARS-CoV-2

This paper develops and validates quantitative RT-ddPCR assays to map SARS-CoV-2 transcription profiles, showing higher copy numbers for 3-end genomic targets in clinical samples.

Screening a library of FDA-approved and bioactive compounds for antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2

This study screens FDA-approved compounds for antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and identifies 13 effective compounds, including seven new candidates and one synergistic combination with remdesivir.

Zika Virus Infection Prevents Host mRNA Nuclear Export by Disrupting UPF1 Function

This study shows ZIKV infection disrupts UPF1 function, leading to nuclear mRNA accumulation and impaired neural progenitor cell function.

Functional genomic screens identify human host factors for SARS-CoV-2 and common cold coronaviruses

The paper identifies host factors and pathways common to SARS-CoV-2 and common cold coronaviruses using CRISPR screens, revealing shared and unique factors that support viral infection.

Polygenic mutations model the pleiotropic disease of Fanconi Anemia

This study shows that mutations in two FANC genes in mice model the severity and heterogeneity of Fanconi Anemia, revealing functional synergism of polygenic mutations.

SARS-CoV-2 infection of human iPSC-derived cardiac cells predicts novel cytopathic features in hearts of COVID-19 patients

This study infects human iPSC-derived cardiac cells with SARS-CoV-2 and identifies novel cytopathic features in COVID-19 patient hearts, including myofibrillar fragmentation and DNA loss in cardiomyocytes.

Immune landscape of a genetically-engineered murine model of glioma relative to human glioma by single-cell sequencing

This study compares the immune landscape of a genetically-engineered murine glioma model to human glioma using single-cell sequencing, finding similar immunosuppressive features but differences in immune cell composition between mouse models and human samples.

FOXO1 promotes HIV Latency by suppressing ER stress in T cells

This study shows FOXO1 promotes HIV latency by suppressing ER stress in T cells and identifies pathways to selectively reverse quiescence and reduce viral reservoirs.

A genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies UFMylation and TRAMP-like complexes as host factors required for hepatitis A virus infection

Aging-related inflammation driven by cellular senescence enhances NAD consumption via activation of CD38+ macrophages

This study identifies CD38+ macrophages as a driver of NAD decline during aging through inflammation linked to cellular senescence in metabolic tissues.

Introgression of Austrian fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina) into northern German populations confirmed by complete mitochondrial genomes and transcriptome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)

The paper confirms introgression of Austrian fire-bellied toads into northern German populations using mitochondrial genomes and transcriptome-wide SNPs, revealing hybridization with B. variegata in one population.