TWiV 238: Lost in translation
On episode #238 of the science show This Week in Virology, Vincent, Rich and Kathy discuss mechanisms of protein synthesis and regulation in virus-infected cells. You can find TWiV #238 at www.microbe.tv/twiv.
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Hepatitis A virus infections associated with berry and pomegranate mix
An outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections in eight US states has been attributed to consumption of Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend frozen berry and pomegranate mix purchased from Costco markets. Since March 2013, 118 individuals have acquired the infection and 80% report having eaten this fruit product. Townsend Farms has recalled some lots of this …
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Michael Schmidt on copper at TEDx
On TWiM #55 we discussed the remarkable ability of copper to reduce hospital acquired infections. Now you can watch Michael Schmidt, TWiM co-host and a co-author on this work, discuss the findings at a recent TEDx talk in Charleston, South Carolina.
The wall of polio
The Polio Wall of Fame (pictured) is a set of fifteen sculptured busts of 17 individuals who made important contributions to understanding and preventing poliomyelitis. The busts are mounted on an exterior wall of Founder’s Hall at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation in Warm Springs, Georgia, USA. In my laboratory we have a slightly different …
A single amino acid change switches avian influenza H5N1 and H7N9 viruses to human receptors
Two back-to-back papers were published last week that provide a detailed analysis of what it would take for avian influenza H5N1 and H7N9 viruses to switch to human receptors. Influenza virus initiates infection by attaching to the cell surface, a process mediated by binding of the viral hemagglutinin protein (HA) to sialic acid. This sugar …
Treating hepatitis C by blocking a cellular microRNA
Miravirsen is a drug that binds to and blocks the function of a cellular microRNA called miR-122 that is required for the replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Treatment of chimpanzees chronically infected with HCV with this drug leads to suppression of viral replication. The results of a phase 2b human clinical trial in HCV …
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