Shortly after Félix d€™Herelle discovered viruses that infect bacteria in 1917 (also found in 1915 by Twort), he recognized their therapeutic potential for treating infections. The discovery of penicillin in 1928 began the golden age of antibiotics, which pushed aside progress in treating infections with bacteriophages. With the advent of widespread antimicrobial resistance, development of …
Retroviruses have been infecting vertebrates for over 450 million years. Because retroviral DNA integrates into host cell DNA, the vertebrate genome is littered with remnants of these infections. Some of this retroviral DNA has been co-opted by the cell for a variety of beneficial purposes, such as development of the placenta and the control of …
Retroviruses and the placenta, a remarkable relationship Read More »
Team TWiV reveals DNA polymerases that do not require a primer, and packaging of hepatitis delta virus by the envelope glycoproteins of diverse viruses. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 552 (70 MB .mp3, 116 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv
At Retroviruses 2019 in Cold Spring Harbor, Vincent speaks with virologist Bryan Cullen about his work and his career, together with former associates Ann Skalka, Paul Bieniasz, and Michael Malim. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 551 (37 MB .mp3, 60 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV!
TWiV explains the use of a neuronal cell line to study herpes simplex virus latency and reactivation, and a strategy for creating vaccines that induce antibodies against specific epitopes. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 550 (64 MB .mp3, 105 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv
A method for making vaccines that induce antibodies against a specific epitope could be used to produce a universal influenza vaccine that would not have to be changed every year.
