Thirty high school students participated in the Global Guardians for Pandemic Preparedness program, gaining insights into virology, public health, and pandemic preparedness. The program showcased the growing partnership between GVN and USF, providing hands-on experiences at research laboratories, hospitals, and public health agencies.
The new viral ORFeome tool allows researchers to analyze many thousands of viral proteins in a single experiment, expanding access to biologists who didn't train in virology. It identifies hundreds of viral proteins that interfere with immune response, providing a powerful foundation for understanding emerging viral threats.
Researchers found that eliminating a protein called DHHC3 in melanoma cells led to increased oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and activation of anti-tumor immune cells. This suggests that DHHC3 plays an immunoregulatory role in melanoma growth.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology detects all known cancer-causing viruses in wastewater across Texas, revealing increased abundance of viruses such as HPV and EBV. The approach enables tracking of vaccine-preventable viruses like HPV-16 and HPV-18, which could inform vaccination programs.
The Global Virus Network is launching an expanded program for Florida high school students to prepare them for pandemic preparedness. The five-day summer program at the University of South Florida will provide students with hands-on experience in virology, global health, and scientific communication.
The Global Virus Network has awarded $90,000 in education and training grants to support emerging scientists and institutions advancing translational virology, genomic surveillance, and global health equity. Awardees represent universities and research institutions spanning North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
The Global Virus Network has established its International Headquarters at the University of South Florida, bringing together leading virologists to advance research and pandemic preparedness. The partnership accelerates the path from discovery to real-world impact, improving global health.
The ISSCR recognizes Dr. Kyle M. Loh's groundbreaking work on human pluripotent stem cells, enabling precision differentiation of various cell types and bridging stem cell biology and virology. His research has far-reaching implications for developmental biology, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine.
Scientists have successfully grown human norovirus in the lab for up to 15 consecutive passages, enabling comprehensive studies of viral structure, antiviral drug screening, and vaccine development. The breakthrough uses a drug called TAK 779 to overcome host restrictions, allowing researchers to produce stable virus stocks.
The Global Virus Network's 2025 Short Course in Translational Virology brought together over 40 participants from 24 countries to learn about translating bench discoveries into the clinic and shaping public health. Participants gained hands-on experience with data-driven virology, genomic analysis, and clinical decision systems.
The University of Hong Kong's research team developed a novel live-attenuated vaccine, cb1, generating broad immunity against beta-coronaviruses with a single intranasal dose. The vaccine effectively blocks viral transmission in animal models, offering a promising strategy for pandemic preparedness.
Manhattan E. Charurat, Ph.D., MHS has been invested as the Homer and Martha Gudelsky Distinguished Professor in Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He is recognized for his scientific contributions and dedication to global health equity.
The Global Virus Network has appointed eight distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors, including experts in virology, public health, and communications. The new board members aim to strengthen the network's mission to advance collaboration, foster innovation, and ensure global preparedness for viral threats.
Researchers discovered that infant nasal organoids divide faster and have different cell types than adult ones, making them more susceptible to RSV infection. The findings suggest that infants' bodies respond with a less coordinated defense against the virus, leading to severe airway blockages and mucus production.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine reveals that overactive plasmacytoid dendritic cells contribute to continuous immune inflammation and weaken antiviral T cell function. Reducing these cells or combining with an immune checkpoint inhibitor can restore antiviral T cell function and shrink the viral reservoir.
Researchers are investigating co-evolution between viruses and the immune system to predict future variants and develop effective vaccines and preventive measures. The ERC Synergy Grant will fund a six-year project, CoEvolve, led by physicists Michael Lässig and virologist Florian Klein.
The Global Virus Network welcomes three new Centers of Excellence in the US, Brazil, and Canada, strengthening its presence across the Americas. The new centers will focus on combating viral threats from HIV and arboviruses to emerging pathogens and future pandemic agents.
The USF Health Institute for Translational Virology and Innovation advances research on viral diseases, virus-associated cancers, and pandemic pathogens. The institute focuses on understanding the mechanisms of viruses causing tumors and developing comorbidities in HIV patients.
Researchers used miniature human nose models to study how different bacteria interact with the lining of the nose. The study found that all three bacteria colonized the model without causing significant damage, triggering immune responses and reducing inflammation.
Human GII.4 noroviruses have evolved a uniquely potent entry mechanism with clear strain-specific differences, according to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine. The study reveals that clustering strains, such as GII.4 Sydney, cause more membrane wounding and replication in enteroids compared to non-clustering strains.
The Global Virus Network's inaugural 'Global Guardians: Youth for Pandemic Preparedness' summer camp engaged high school students in virology, pandemic response, and public health careers. Students participated in hands-on activities, laboratory tours, and collaborative group exercises, guided by internationally renowned experts.
A new platform combines bacteria and viruses to target cancer cells. The system hides a virus inside a tumor-seeking bacterium, smuggling it past the immune system and unleashing it inside cancerous tumors.
The TherVacB vaccine aims to activate the natural immune response to eliminate the hepatitis B virus. In a new phase 1b/2a clinical trial, 81 patients will receive increasing doses of the vaccine components to determine its safety and effectiveness.
A new study from Cornell University researchers found that avian flu causes severe mastitis and decreased milk production in dairy cows. The economic loss is estimated to be around $950 per clinically affected cow, totaling approximately $737,500 for a single herd.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have discovered that hepatitis E viruses can infect kidney cells, leading to a potentially insurmountable challenge in treating the infection. The study found that infected kidney cells responded poorly to antiviral medication, suggesting the virus has evolved to evade treatment.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine used a sequencing-based approach to detect measles virus in Houston wastewater samples collected in early January 2025, two weeks before any reported cases. The method's high sensitivity and specificity suggest it can inform public health preparedness for potential outbreaks.
Researchers at HKU and CVVT create a nasal spray vaccine offering single-dose protection against H5N1 infection, inducing comprehensive immunity in the upper respiratory tract. The vaccine's high safety profile and ability to curb viral transmission make it a critical reserve for future outbreaks.
Researchers analyzed phage-bacteria communities in children's stool samples to understand their role in type 1 diabetes development. They found dynamic changes in phage and bacterial populations, suggesting an 'arms race' between the two, but no clear link to disease risk.
Researchers found that rotavirus protein NSP4 is necessary and sufficient for disrupting calcium signaling in infected and uninfected cells, affecting disease severity. Manipulating NSP4 could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat rotavirus infections.
Researchers provide comprehensive review of RSV's virology, clinical impact, and prevention strategies, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines to mitigate this critical health need. The review highlights RSV's severe impact on infants, children, and older adults, as well as its potential effects on multiple organs and systems.
Researchers will showcase results of a randomized clinical trial demonstrating Biovanta's efficacy in reducing common cold symptoms by strengthening the respiratory barrier and controlling inflammation. The presentation will also include preclinical data on antiviral formulas targeting rhinovirus and influenza.
Babesia parasite spread by ticks causes rare but severe symptoms in humans, including influenza-like illness and organ failure. Kashanchi isolates extracellular vesicles to investigate inflammatory cytokine responses and potential vaccine development.
Recent viral spread northward highlights unanswered questions about Oropouche virus's ecologic and pathologic characteristics. Research on the molecular virology and pathology of this arthropod-borne virus is reviewed, but crucial knowledge gaps remain.
A Cornell University study reveals efficient and sustained mammalian-to-mammalian transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 between cows and from cows to cats and a raccoon. The virus shows high tropism for the mammary gland and infectious viral loads in milk.
Researchers propose a panoramic view of virology development in different historical periods, revealing evolutionary characteristics, motivations, and external forces. The study fills a gap in the history of virology by exploring milestones, technological achievements, and relations among elements.
Researchers investigated the role of long-lived plasma cells in COVID-19 infection, finding deficient generation of spike-specific antibodies. The study suggests that inadequate long-lived plasma cell production may be responsible for short-lived protective antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2.
A new vaccine design has been developed by a UC Riverside-led research team, which uses preexisting immunity to the influenza virus to help kickstart the production of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine aims to speed up the immune response and provide better protection for people who still lack immunity to the coronavirus.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a community health report that analyzes the human virome in wastewater, providing valuable insights into emerging diseases. By detecting changes in viral trends in wastewater, scientists can identify outbreaks and transmission patterns, ultimately improving population health.
A study by researchers at the Medical University of Vienna found that natural killer cells may play a crucial role in protecting against multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. The investigation revealed that strong EBV-specific and autoreactive immune responses combined with poor autoimmunity control increase MS risk.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered a new mechanism by which rotavirus induces diarrhea, involving the degradation of DGAT1 enzyme in intestinal cells. This process leads to reduced nutrient absorption and disruption of intestinal function.
A new five-year research project combines AI, virology, and ecology to anticipate future SARS-CoV-2 strains that could pass between animals and people. The team will use artificial intelligence to predict variants and assess risk of spillover from people to wildlife.
Researchers have discovered that the gut bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri produces oxytocin, a hormone involved in social behavior and wound healing, in human intestinal tissue. This finding provides a novel explanation for how the microbiome affects distant organs and suggests potential treatments for autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers found that reducing biodiversity harms mosquito species, leading to more resilient species and increased virus prevalence. The study suggests that a decrease in biodiversity can lead to an increase in the spread of viruses carried by mosquitoes.
A study by Charité and Leibniz-IZW found that reducing biodiversity in rainforests leads to an increase in virus prevalence among mosquito species. This is because resilient species thrive in disturbed habitats, carrying viruses with them. The research reveals the importance of biodiversity in understanding infectious disease dynamics.
A new study published in Virology Journal confirms 25 different types of HPV prevalent in Nigeria, highlighting the need for region-specific vaccines. The discovery underscores the limitations of existing vaccines like Gardasil-9, which only protects against nine cancer-causing types.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a drug called DEQ that significantly reduces the ability of bacteria to develop antibiotic resistance. The study shows that DEQ works by slowing down genetic mutations in bacteria, thereby prolonging the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Researchers found that monkeypox viruses remain infectious for a long time on surfaces, with some concentrations dropping significantly after five days. Disinfectants like alcohol-based and aldehyde-based cleaners reliably reduced the risk of infection.
A novel HIV restriction factor, Schlafen 12, has been identified as a key player in latent virus survival. This finding opens the possibility of designing new therapeutic strategies against HIV by blocking its antiviral functions.
Researchers discovered that Beclin-1 governs endometrial remodeling and pregnancy establishment by regulating autophagy, a natural process that digests and recycles cellular components. The study found that Beclin-1-driven autophagy promotes normal uterine remodeling and gland development.
A new minimally invasive test using dried blood spots (DBS) has been shown to effectively assess cure after treatment and differentiate between reinfection and treatment failure. The results support the viability of decentralizing treatment for people who inject drugs, who often face challenges accessing healthcare.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that human norovirus GII.4 invades gastrointestinal cells via an unexpected mechanism involving interactions between viral and human cell surface proteins. The findings provide insight into the viral infection process and highlight unique pathways for developing effective therapeutics.
A recent study found that PrEP was well received by justice-involved individuals, demonstrating high uptake among those eligible. The approach provided HIV prevention services to a large proportion of incarcerated people, including men aged 25-29 years.
Experts call for a nuanced discussion around gain of function research, highlighting its benefits for human health and its potential to reduce future disease outbreaks. The authors emphasize the need for evidence-based policies that balance safety concerns with the importance of this research in protecting humanity from viral threats.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that an altered gut microbiome drives endometriosis disease progression in an animal model. The study found that mice lacking a gut microbiome had smaller endometriotic lesions, and treatment with certain metabolites significantly enhanced cellular proliferation and lesion growth.
Researchers have shed new light on viral genome replication machinery, revealing its intricate structure at atomic resolution. The study, published in PNAS, provides essential insights into the assembly, dynamic operation, and potential therapeutic targets of this complex machine.
A recent study found that people with a specific genetic variation have a lower risk of developing infectious mononucleosis after initial Epstein-Barr virus infection. The researchers identified an EBV-specific immune response as the cause and suggest it could be a target for vaccine development.
A team of researchers found that repeated vaccinations with the Comirnaty mRNA vaccine lead to an increased number of non-inflammatory, spike-specific IgG4 antibodies. These antibodies show promise in providing protection against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
Researchers have developed a novel oral drug delivery platform using probiotic bacteria to treat rheumatoid arthritis, reducing the need for lifelong injections. The bioengineered probiotic, LrS235, secretes peptide ShK-235, which dramatically reduces clinical signs of disease in animal models.
Researchers confirmed smoking and obesity increase COVID-19 severity, with ACE2 mediating detrimental effects. Lower socioeconomic position also increases COVID-19 risk, highlighting social inequalities.
The current monkeypox outbreak has drawn comparisons to smallpox due to its similarities in epidemiology, pathology, and clinical features. The authors review the virology, transmission, and prevention strategies for the virus, considering whether it poses a risk of another global pandemic.