virology blog
About viruses and viral disease
From Georgia State University, Vincent speaks with Chris, Andrew, Priya, and Richard about their careers and their work on Ebolaviruses, rotavirus, and antiviral drug development.
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Download TWiV 636 (68 MB .mp3, 113 min)
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Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv
The TWiV crew reveal a unique portal on the calcivirus capsid formed upon receptor engagement, and the regulation of interferon responses in virus-infected cells by methylation of mRNA.
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Download TWiV 534 (57 MB .mp3, 95 min)
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When a human population is exposed to a pathogenic virus, the outcomes among individuals may include asymptomatic, mild, severe, or no infection. Multiple parameters control these responses, including the amount of virus taken up, the age of the host, general health status, nutrition, and more. With the advent of whole exome sequencing we can now assess the role of genotype in disease severity, as illustrated by a study of a child with severe recurrent rhinovirus infections.
[Read more…] about An inborn error of innate immunity leading to severe rhinovirus infections
All immune responses, from intrinsic to adaptive, need to be regulated – if left on indefinitely they will damage the host. The innate immune response is no exception, and a cellular RNA has been identified that binds to a sensor of viral RNA and regulates the production of interferon (IFN).
[Read more…] about A cell RNA that regulates innate immunity
The TWiVumvirate reviews this years crop of Nobel Prizes, and how cells prevent leakage of mitochondrial double-stranded RNA into the cytoplasm, which would otherwise lead to the production of interferon.
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Download TWiV 514 (66 MB .mp3, 108 min)
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Some antiviral drugs, like acyclovir for treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, are chain terminators that block RNA or DNA synthesis. They are modified nucleotides that can be incorporated into a growing RNA strand, but no additional nucleotides can be added. Amazingly, a cell protein has been found that can synthesize antiviral chain terminators.
[Read more…] about A cell protein that synthesizes an antiviral ribonucleotide