N. Ebert

Nirmatrelvir-resistant SARS-CoV-2 is efficiently transmitted in Syrian hamsters

This study shows that nirmatrelvir-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants replicate and transmit efficiently in Syrian hamsters, highlighting the need for combination therapies to prevent resistance spread.

The substitutions L50F, E166A and L167F in SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro are selected by a protease inhibitor in vitro and confer resistance to nirmatrelvir

This paper identifies three substitutions in SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro that confer resistance to nirmatrelvir and other 3CLpro inhibitors in vitro.

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.

Impaired immune response drives age-dependent severity of COVID-19

This study identifies impaired interferon responses as a cause of age-dependent COVID-19 severity and shows that combined IFN-γ and IFN-λ therapy can mitigate disease in aged mice.

Establishment of well-differentiated camelid airway cultures to study Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

This study establishes camelid airway epithelial cell cultures to study MERS-CoV infection and replication, showing divergent tropism and interferon inhibition.

Enhanced fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern B.1.1.7, but not B.1.351, in animal models

The paper compares the fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in animal models, finding B.1.1.7 has a fitness advantage in ferrets and mice but not in hamsters.

A genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies interactors of the autophagy pathway as conserved coronavirus targets

This study identifies autophagy-related host factors as conserved targets for coronavirus replication using CRISPR screens and shows that immunophilin inhibitors can block viral replication.

Susceptibility of well-differentiated airway epithelial cell cultures from domestic and wildlife animals to SARS-CoV-2

This study assesses the susceptibility of airway epithelial cell cultures from various animals to SARS-CoV-2, finding efficient replication only in monkey and cat models.

SARS-CoV-2 spike D614G variant confers enhanced replication and transmissibility

This study shows the SARS-CoV-2 D614G variant has enhanced replication and transmissibility in animal models, explaining its global dominance.

LY6E impairs coronavirus fusion and confers immune control of viral disease

This study identifies LY6E as an interferon-induced gene that restricts coronavirus entry and pathogenesis by inhibiting spike protein-mediated fusion and protecting immune cells.

Disparate temperature-dependent virus - host dynamics for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV in the human respiratory epithelium

This study compares temperature-dependent replication and immune response dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV in human airway epithelial cells, highlighting differences in their antiviral responses and transmission efficiency.

Efficient inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by WHO-recommended hand rub formulations and alcohols

The paper tests the virucidal activity of WHO-recommended hand rubs and alcohols against SARS-CoV-2, showing efficient inactivation for all tested products.

Rapid reconstruction of SARS-CoV-2 using a synthetic genomics platform

This paper describes a yeast-based synthetic genomics platform for rapid reconstruction of RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, using synthetic DNA fragments and TAR cloning.

Determination of host cell proteins constituting the molecular microenvironment of coronavirus replicase complexes by proximity-labeling

The paper identifies host proteins near coronavirus replicase complexes using proximity-labeling and shows their roles in viral replication and host processes.