Oncogenes of DNA tumor viruses encode proteins that cause cells to divide incessantly, eventually leading to formation of a tumor. These oncoproteins have now been found to antagonize the innate immune response of the cell (link to paper). Most cells encountered by viruses are not dividing, and hence do not efficiently ...

The TWiVeroos examine a reverse spillover of Newcastle disease virus vaccines into wild birds, and identification of a protein cell receptor for murine noroviruses. You can find TWiV #411 at microbe.tv/twiv, or listen below. [powerpress url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/twiv/TWiV411.mp3"] Click arrow to play Download TWiV 411 (59 MB .mp3, 95 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV!

Wolbachia in an insect cell. Image credit: PLoS/Scott O'Neill. Viruses are tidily categorized into three groups according to the hosts they infect - bacteriophages, eukaryotic viruses, and archaeal viruses. Viruses do not infect hosts in another domain of life, and therefore lateral gene transfer is limited (giant DNA viruses might be ...

Guest host Lynda Coughlan reviews how oncolytic viruses, which specifically kill tumor cells, are designed and how they work. https://youtu.be/o9y-HitEhvo

Sharon and Scott join the TWiV team to talk about their work on dengue antibody-dependent enhancement of Zika virus infection, and identifying the virus in mosquitoes from Miami. You can find TWiV #410 at microbe.tv/twiv, or listen below. [powerpress url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/twiv/TWiV410.mp3"] Click arrow to play Download TWiV 410 (73 MB .mp3, 121 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, RSS, email Become ...