P. Maes

B cell maturation restored ancestral germlines to control Omicron BA.2.86

The paper analyzes neutralizing antibodies from vaccinated and hybrid immune individuals to show that restored B cell germlines enhance neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 variants like BA.2.86.

The evolutionary history of hepaciviruses

This study identifies novel rodent hosts of hepaciviruses, documents their diversity, and estimates the origin of the genus to be about 22 million years ago.

Resistance of Omicron subvariants BA.2.75.2, BA.4.6 and BQ.1.1 to neutralizing antibodies

This study evaluates the neutralizing antibody resistance of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.2.75.2, BA.4.6, and BQ.1.1 to monoclonal antibodies and sera from vaccinated individuals.

Combination of the parent analogue of Remdesivir (GS-441524) and Molnupiravir results in a markedly potent antiviral effect in SARS-CoV-2 infected Syrian hamsters

This study shows that combining GS-441524 and molnupiravir significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral load in infected Syrian hamsters.

Structural insights into TRAP association with ribosome-Sec61 complex, and translocon inhibition by a CADA derivative

The paper presents cryo-EM structures of the ribosome-Sec61 complex with TRAP and CK147, showing TRAP's binding and CK147's inhibition mechanism.

mRNA vaccines and hybrid immunity use different B cell germlines to neutralize Omicron BA.4 and BA.5

The paper compares neutralizing antibodies against Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 from mRNA-vaccinated individuals and those with hybrid immunity, finding differences in epitope targeting and B cell germlines used.

Development and optimization of biologically contained Marburg virus for high-throughput antiviral screening

This paper develops a biologically contained Marburg virus system for high-throughput antiviral screening and validates its safety and utility.

Carbohydrate-Binding Protein from Stinging Nettle as Fusion Inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern

This paper shows that UDA, a protein from stinging nettle, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and its variants by blocking viral entry and fusion, with nanomolar potency.

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.

Imprinted antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages

This study shows that hybrid immunity and vaccine boosters provide potent neutralizing activity against Omicron BA.1 and BA.2, while breakthrough infections induce nasal mucosal neutralization and identify an ultrapotent pan-variant antibody.

The characterization of multiple novel paramyxovirus species highlights the diverse nature of the subfamily Orthoparamyxovirinae

This study identifies fifteen new orthoparamyxovirus species from rodents and shrews, revealing novel genome structures and evolutionary relationships within the subfamily.

SARS-CoV-2 Permissive Glioblastoma Cell Line for High Throughput Antiviral Screening

This paper develops a SARS-CoV-2 permissive glioblastoma cell line for high-throughput antiviral screening, showing it supports viral replication and provides reliable IC50 values for antivirals.

Intracellular flow cytometry complements RT-qPCR detection of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

This paper introduces a flow cytometry method to detect and differentiate SARS-CoV-2 infected cells at single-cell level, complementing RT-qPCR for variant detection.

Remdesivir, Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir remain active against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and other variants of concern.

The paper evaluates the antiviral activity of remdesivir, molnupiravir, and nirmatrelvir against SARS-CoV-2 variants, finding they remain effective.

The omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern does not readily infect Syrian hamsters

This study shows that the omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant infects Syrian hamsters with significantly lower viral loads in the lungs compared to the D614G strain, with no detectable infectious virus.

Considerable escape of SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron to antibody neutralization

This study shows that the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is resistant to most monoclonal antibodies and vaccine-induced antibodies, with reduced neutralization compared to Delta.

Identification of novel Ebola virus inhibitors using biologically contained virus

This study screens over 4,200 small-molecule compounds against biologically contained Ebola virus to identify novel inhibitors.

Updated vaccine protects from infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants, prevents transmission and is immunogenic against Omicron in hamsters

This study shows an updated vaccine candidate provides full protection against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, prevents transmission, and induces neutralizing antibodies against Omicron in hamsters.

Reservoir host studies of Lloviu virus: first isolation, sequencing and serology in Schreiber's bats in Europe

This study isolates and characterizes Lloviu virus from Schreiber's bats in Europe, showing its ability to infect human and monkey cells and suggesting potential spillover risks.

Alpha variant versus D614G strain in the Syrian hamster model

This study compares the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant and G614 strain in Syrian hamsters, finding similar replication and disease outcomes but a slight fitness advantage for G614.

Exploration of the Ixodes ricinus virosphere unveils an extensive virus diversity including novel Coltiviruses and other reoviruses

This study explores the virosphere of Ixodes ricinus ticks in Belgium, revealing diverse viruses including novel Coltiviruses and reoviruses, with evidence of genetic reassortment in one strain.

Comparative infectivity and pathogenesis of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in Syrian hamsters

This study compares the infectivity and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 to early 2020 strains in Syrian hamsters, finding similar disease outcomes but stronger proinflammatory cytokine elevation in B.1.1.7 infections.

Development and optimization of a novel T7 polymerase-independent Marburg virus minigenome system

The paper develops a T7 polymerase-independent MARV minigenome system using native RNA polymerase II, showing improved performance in difficult cell lines and enabling high-throughput screening.

Identification of TMEM106B as proviral host factor for SARS-CoV-2

This study identifies TMEM106B as a host factor essential for SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication in human cells.

Hymenoptera associated eukaryotic virome lacks host specificity

The study identifies a diverse virome in honey bees and finds that many viruses are shared across Hymenoptera species, suggesting a lack of host specificity.

A phylodynamic workflow to rapidly gain insights into the dispersal history and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 lineages

This paper introduces a phylodynamic workflow to analyze SARS-CoV-2 lineage dispersal, showing external introductions were key in Belgium and lockdowns had limited impact on transmission.

The Queen Gut Refines with Age: Longevity Phenotypes in a Social Insect Model

This study compares gut microbiota changes with aging in long-lived honey bee queens and short-lived worker honey bees, finding reversed microbial succession patterns linked to longevity.