M. Widera

Cellular hnRNPA0 limits HIV-1 production by interference with LTR-activity and programmed ribosomal frame-shifting

This study shows hnRNPA0 limits HIV-1 replication by inhibiting LTR activity and ribosomal frameshifting, with lower expression in HIV-infected individuals.

TMPRSS2 is essential for SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron infection

The paper shows TMPRSS2 is essential for SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron infection in mice, highlighting its role as an antiviral target.

A single-dose MCMV-based vaccine elicits long-lasting immune protection in mice against distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants

A single dose of a recombinant murine CMV vaccine expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein provides long-lasting immunity against multiple variants in mice.

SARS-CoV-2 entry route impacts a range of downstream viral and cellular processes

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 entry via TMPRSS2 or endolysosomal cathepsins affects viral replication, immune response, and genome evolution.

The spike gene is a major determinant for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-BA.1 phenotype

This study shows the spike gene determines replication, pathogenicity, and immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-BA.1 compared to Delta in cell cultures and animal models.

Low-dose bivalent mRNA vaccine is highly effective against different SARS-CoV-2 variants in a transgenic mouse model

This study shows a low-dose bivalent mRNA vaccine targeting multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants provides strong protection in mice and rats, with comparable antibody levels and reduced viral replication.

Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 exhibits an increased resilience to the antiviral type I interferon response

This study shows that the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is more resistant to type I interferon responses compared to Delta and wildtype strains.

Reduced interferon antagonism but similar drug sensitivity in Omicron variant compared to Delta variant SARS-CoV-2 isolates

This study compares drug sensitivity and interferon antagonism between Omicron and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants, finding similar drug responses but reduced interferon antagonism in Omicron.

Post-entry, spike-dependent replication advantage of B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.2 over B.1 SARS-CoV-2 in an ACE2-deficient human lung cell line

The paper shows that B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.2 SARS-CoV-2 variants have a replication advantage over B.1 in ACE2-deficient lung cells, suggesting reliance on alternative cellular factors.

Interferon-α subtype treatment induces the repression of SRSF1 in HIV-1 target cells and affects HIV-1 post integration steps

This study shows that IFN-α treatment represses SRSF1 in HIV-1 target cells, affecting post-integration viral replication steps by altering splicing and transcription.

Intranasal administration of a monoclonal neutralizing antibody protects mice against SARS-CoV-2 infection

This paper describes a monoclonal antibody, DZIF-10c, that effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and its variants when administered intranasally to mice, offering potential for topical treatment.

Generation of a Sleeping Beauty transposon-based cellular system for rapid and sensitive identification of SARS-CoV-2 host dependency and restriction factors

This paper develops a Sleeping Beauty transposon-based cell system for rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection and screening of host factors.

The CCL2 Chemokine Promotes Early Seeding of the Latent HIV Reservoir

This study shows that CCL2 chemokine promotes early HIV reservoir formation by recruiting CCR2/5+ CD4 T cells to sites of inflammation during acute infection.

Evaluation of stability and inactivation methods of SARS-CoV-2 in context of laboratory settings

This study evaluates inactivation methods for SARS-CoV-2 in laboratory settings, finding that some lysis buffers and chemical treatments effectively inactivate the virus, while others do not.

Optimized qRT-PCR approach for the detection of intra- and extracellular SARS-CoV-2 RNAs

This study presents an optimized qRT-PCR method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA using a low-cost SYBR green approach, showing improved detection limits and simplicity compared to multi-step assays.

SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV differ in their cell tropism and drug sensitivity profiles

This study compares SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV in cell tropism and drug sensitivity, finding differences in conservation, receptor usage, and therapeutic responses to aprotinin and remdesivir.

HIV infection does not alter Interferon α/β receptor expression on mucosal immune cells

This study investigates whether HIV infection alters IFNAR2 expression on mucosal immune cells and finds no significant changes in IFNAR2 expression in HIV+ patients or after HIV-1 infection ex vivo.