Polio in New York
Virologist Vincent Racaniello breaks down the first case of polio in the US in nearly a decade.
Basic virology
Should we be worried about monkeypox?
Although monkeypox cases continue to increase around the world, the average person is at low risk of becoming infected.
Herd Immunity and this Pandemic
by Gertrud U. Rey Herd immunity occurs when a large enough percentage of the population has acquired either natural or vaccine-induced immunity against an infectious disease, thereby indirectly protecting a minority of non-immune individuals who are dispersed throughout the population. During this pandemic, many prominent scientists have stated that it is impossible to achieve herd …
Richard R Ernst Lecture 2022 – Vincent Racaniello
It was my great honor to be selected as the Richard R Ernst Lecturer for 2022. The aim of the Richard R. Ernst Lecture is to strengthen the relationship and understanding between the sciences, society, and politics and to raise awareness for the questions and challenges our global society is facing today and will face in the future.
Fighting Viruses with Viruses
by Gertrud U. Rey Errors during viral replication can give rise to shortened and/or rearranged genomic sequences known as “defective viral genomes” (DVGs). Because DVGs often lack critical elements needed for replication and formation of new viral particles, virions containing DVGs can only complete a replication cycle if they co-infect a cell together with respective …
A Viral Risk Factor for Multiple Sclerosis
Several new lines of evidence suggest that Epstein-Barr virus infection may be a risk factor for the development of multiple sclerosis.