The Blood XMRV Scientific Research Working Group was formed to design and carry out a study to determine whether xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) posed a threat to blood safety. Phase III results were published on Sept. 22, 2011 in Science. In an upcoming webinar study leaders Graham Simmons and Mike Busch will present …
Results of the Blood XMRV Scientific Research Working Group Read More »
There is an excellent question in the comments to “Are all virus particles infectious?“: if the particle-to-PFU ratio for a virus stock is 10,000:1, and I infect 1,000,000 cells with 10,000 particles, how many plaques would I expect to observe? Answering this question provides insight into the particle-to-PFU ratio of viruses. If we take 10,000 particles …
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit Vincent, Alan, and Rich cover the virome of raw sewage, and a baculovirus gene that causes caterpillars to climb to their doom. [powerpress url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/twiv/TWiV152.mp3″] Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download TWiV 152 (50 MB .mp3, 83 minutes). Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , …
This article was written for extra credit by a student in my virology course. by Alexandra Jacunski Recent research has suggested a new method of flu prevention and treatment: the administration of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to the lungs of mice significantly reduced flu symptoms and prevented mortality after a lethal dose of influenza virus. …
David and Goliath: How one cytokine may take down influenza Read More »
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, and Elio Schaechter. Vincent, Michael and Elio focus on endosymbiosis: the rapid spread of Ricekttsia in whitefiles, and a metabolic patchwork in nested symbionts of mealybugs. [powerpress url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/twimshow/TWiM017.mp3″] Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download TWiM #17 (51 MB, .mp3, 70 minutes). Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes, Zune Marketplace, via RSS feed, …
In my 30-year career as a virologist I have used only computers made by Apple. Therefore I am saddened to hear of Mr. Jobs’ passing today. From his 2005 commencement address at Stanford University: No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And …
