T. Mao

Generation of an inflammatory niche in an injectable hydrogel depot through recruitment of key immune cells improves efficacy of mRNA vaccines

This paper improves mRNA vaccine efficacy by creating an inflammatory immune niche via injectable hydrogel depots that recruit immune cells and enhance humoral responses.

Potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies against sarbecoviruses induced by sequential COVID-19 vaccination

This study identifies potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and related sarbecoviruses from a vaccinated donor, showing their efficacy against multiple variants and providing insights for therapeutic development.

Habitat correlates of cave-dwelling: A radiation-scale analysis of skin traits and comparative transcriptomics of the Sinocyclocheilus cavefish

This study identifies habitat-related transcriptional differences in skin traits of Sinocyclocheilus cavefish using comparative transcriptomics and RNA-seq.

Identification of a recombinant human astrovirus type 5 strain from an acute gastroenteritis outbreak in Beijing, China

The paper identifies a recombinant human astrovirus type 5 strain from an acute gastroenteritis outbreak in Beijing, China, showing genetic clustering with HAstV-1 and HAstV-5.

Inhalable polymer nanoparticles for versatile mRNA delivery and mucosal vaccination

Inhaled polymer nanoparticles deliver mRNA effectively to the lung and induce protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

Unadjuvanted intranasal spike vaccine booster elicits robust protective mucosal immunity against sarbecoviruses

Unadjuvanted intranasal spike vaccine booster generates broad sarbecovirus protective mucosal immunity in a preclinical model.

Sensory convergence in the world s largest cavefish diversification: patterns of neuromast evolution, distribution and associated behaviour in Sinocyclocheilus

This study examines neuromast evolution and distribution in Sinocyclocheilus cavefish, finding asymmetry and convergence in cave-adapted species with distinct wall-following behaviours.

Adapting to novel environments together: evolutionary and ecological correlates of the bacterial microbiome of the worlds largest cavefish diversification

This study examines how habitat and phylogeny shape gut microbiomes in Sinocyclocheilus cavefish, finding habitat is the main driver, with captivity homogenizing microbiomes across species.

A stem-loop RNA RIG-I agonist confers prophylactic and therapeutic protection against acute and chronic SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice

This study shows that SLR14, a RIG-I agonist, prevents and treats SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice, including chronic cases and variants, through IFN-I responses.

High-affinity, neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 can be made in the absence of T follicular helper cells

The paper shows that high-affinity, neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 can be produced without T follicular helper cells through alternative pathways.

Adaptive immune determinants of viral clearance and protection in mouse models of SARS-CoV-2

The paper investigates the roles of humoral and cellular immunity in SARS-CoV-2 clearance and protection against a variant, finding antibodies mediate protection in both vaccinated and naturally infected mice.

High-fidelity, efficient, and reversible labeling of endogenous proteins using CRISPR-based designer exon insertion

The paper introduces CRISPIE, a CRISPR-based method for precise, efficient, and reversible labeling of endogenous proteins by inserting designer exons into target genes.

Exploratory neuroimmune profiling identifies CNS-specific alterations in COVID-19 patients with neurological involvement

The paper identifies CNS-specific immune alterations in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms, suggesting neuroinvasion and anti-neural autoimmunity as potential causes.

Mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 reveals inflammatory role of type I interferon signaling

This paper develops a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 using AAV-mediated hACE2 expression, showing type I interferons fail to control viral replication and drive pathology.

PD-1 blockade-driven anti-tumor CD8+ T cell immunity requires XCR1+ dendritic cells

This study shows that XCR1+ dendritic cells are essential for PD-1 immunotherapy to activate CD8+ T cells and control tumors in mice and humans.