A5073455611- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- HIV Research and Treatment
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- COVID-19 impact on air quality
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Transgenic Plants and Applications
- Computational Drug Discovery Methods
- Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
University of California, Davis
2022-2023
California Department of Public Health
2009-2023
Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department
2022
Smithsonian Institution
2022
University of California, San Francisco
2021
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2021
Golden Gate University
2021
Kaiser Permanente
2021
An estimated 30 million passengers are transported on 272 cruise ships worldwide each year* (1). Cruise bring diverse populations into proximity for many days, facilitating transmission of respiratory illness (2). SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan, China, December 2019 and has since spread to at least 187 countries territories. Widespread COVID-19 been reported as well (3). Passengers certain ship voyages might be aged ≥65 years,...
Abstract We identified a novel SARS-CoV-2 variant by viral whole-genome sequencing of 2,172 nasal/nasopharyngeal swab samples from 44 counties in California. Named B.1.427/B.1.429 to denote its 2 lineages, the emerged around May 2020 and increased 0% >50% sequenced cases September 1, January 29, 2021, exhibiting an 18.6-24% increase transmissibility relative wild-type circulating strains. The carries 3 mutations spike protein, including L452R substitution. Our analyses revealed 2-fold...
Abstract SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron are globally relevant variants of concern. Although individuals infected with at risk developing severe lung disease, infection often causes milder symptoms, especially in vaccinated 1,2 . The question arises whether widespread infections could lead to future cross-variant protection, accelerating the end pandemic. Here we show that without vaccination, induces a limited humoral immune response mice humans. Sera from overexpressing human ACE2 receptor...
BackgroundThe Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 are currently responsible for breakthrough infections due to waning immunity. We report phase I/II trial results UB-612, a multitope subunit vaccine containing S1-RBD-sFc protein rationally designed promiscuous peptides representing sarbecovirus conserved helper T cell cytotoxic lymphocyte epitopes on the nucleocapsid (N), membrane (M), spike (S2) proteins.MethodWe conducted I primary 2-dose (28 days apart) 10, 30, or 100 μg UB-612 in 60...
While the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has been a scientific triumph, need remains for globally available vaccine that provides longer-lasting immunity against present and future SARS-CoV-2 variants concern (VOCs). Here, we describe DCFHP, ferritin-based, protein-nanoparticle candidate that, when formulated with aluminum hydroxide as sole adjuvant (DCFHP-alum), elicits potent durable neutralizing antisera in non-human primates known VOCs, including Omicron BQ.1, well SARS-CoV-1....
As novel SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge, it is critical that their potential cause severe disease and evade vaccine-induced immunity rapidly assessed in humans studied animal models. In early January 2021, a variant designated B.1.429 comprising 2 lineages, B.1.427 B.1.429, was originally detected California (CA) shown have enhanced infectivity vitro decreased antibody neutralization by plasma from convalescent patients vaccine recipients. Here we examine the virulence,...
High-mannose-type glycans (HMGs) are aberrantly enriched on HIV envelope glycoproteins. However, there is currently no drug selectively targeting HIV-associated HMGs. Here, we describe a novel HMG-targeting "lectibody," recombinant Fc-fusion protein comprising human IgG1 Fc and actinohivin lectin variant (Avaren) obtained by structure-guided modifications for improved overall surface charge properties (AvFc). AvFc was engineered produced using rapid scalable plant-based transient...
Omicron and its subvariants have rendered most authorized monoclonal antibody-based treatments for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ineffective, highlighting the need biologics capable of overcoming SARS-CoV-2 evolution. These mostly ineffective antibodies target variable epitopes. Here we describe broad-spectrum inhibitors developed by tethering receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), to known non-neutralizing that highly conserved epitopes in viral spike...
An easily implementable serological assay to accurately detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) neutralizing antibodies is urgently needed better track herd immunity, vaccine efficacy and vaccination rates. Herein, we report the Split-Oligonucleotide Neighboring Inhibition Assay (SONIA) which uses real-time qPCR measure ability of block binding between DNA-barcoded viral spike protein subunit 1 human angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor protein. The SONIA...
The infectivity of high-titer, cell-free HIV in culture media and human milk is rapidly reduced upon exposure to polyethylene slides painted with the linear hydrophobic polycation N,N-dodecyl,methyl-polyethylenimine (DMPEI). Accompanying viral p24 protein free RNA analysis solutions exposed DMPEI-coated surfaces suggests that virion attachment polycationic surface its subsequent inactivation are likely mechanism this phenomenon.
Abstract Background As of early 2022, the Omicron variants are predominant circulating lineages globally. Understanding neutralizing antibody responses against BA.1 and BA.2 after vaccine breakthrough infections will provide insights into infectivity susceptibility to subsequent reinfection. Methods Live virus neutralization assays were used study immunity Delta in samples from 86 individuals, 24 unvaccinated (27.9%) 62 vaccinated (72.1%), who infected with (n = 42, 48.8%) or 44, 51.2%)....
While the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has been a scientific triumph, need remains for globally available vaccine that provides longer-lasting immunity against present and future SARS-CoV-2 variants concern (VOCs). Here, we describe DCFHP, ferritin-based, protein-nanoparticle candidate that, when formulated with aluminum hydroxide as sole adjuvant (DCFHP-alum), elicits potent durable neutralizing antisera in non-human primates known VOCs, including Omicron BQ.1, well SARS-CoV-1....
Abstract The utility of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) for treatment immunocompromised patients who are not able to mount a protective antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 and have contraindications or adverse effects from currently available antivirals remains unclear. To better understand the mechanism protection in CCP, we studied viral replication disease progression infected hamsters treated with CCP obtained recovered COVID that had also been vaccinated an mRNA vaccine, hereafter...
Definitive data demonstrating the utility of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma (CCP) for treating immunocompromised patients remains elusive. To better understand mechanism action CCP, we studied viral replication and progression in severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected hamsters treated with CCP obtained from recovered COVID-19 that were also vaccinated an mRNA vaccine, hereafter referred to as Vaxplas. Vaxplas transiently enhanced severity lung...
Plasma samples from 19 patients were analyzed for HIV-1 directed humoral immune responses prior to and 1 year after initiation of HAART. Eight the subjects classified as virologic successes, defined by a >100-fold decrease in viral load (VL) over 1-year study period final VL <500 copies/ml. The eleven HAART failures with <10-fold VL. At entry (before HAART), CD4 counts similar between two groups. Humoral before therapy measured V3 peptide antibody binding titers neutralization MN four...
Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate factors influencing mother child transmission HIV‐1 in Thailand, where CRF01_AE, the major subtype Southeast Asia, predominates. Samples from 84 infected, anti‐retroviral treatment‐naïve, non‐breast feeding mothers, 28 who transmitted their babies (transmitters) and 56 did not (non‐transmitters), were studied for maternal humoral immune response virus characteristics. Maternal measured by lymphocyte phenotyping; neutralizing antibodies...
Abstract As novel SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge, it is critical that their potential cause severe disease and evade vaccine-induced immunity rapidly assessed in humans studied animal models. In early January 2021, a variant of concern (VOC) designated B.1.429 comprising 2 lineages, B.1.427 B.1.429, was originally detected California (CA) shown enhance infectivity vitro decrease antibody neutralization by plasma from convalescent patients vaccine recipients. Here we examine the...
With the SARS-CoV-2 virus still circulating and evolving, there remains an outstanding question if variant-specific vaccines represent optimal path forward, or other strategies might be more efficacious towards providing broad protection against emerging variants. Here, we examine efficacy of strain-specific variants our previously reported, pan-sarbecovirus vaccine candidate, DCFHP-alum, a ferritin nanoparticle functionalized with engineered form spike protein. In non-human primates,...
Abstract Nonhuman primates living in proximity to humans increase risks for sylvatic arbovirus transmission. We collected serum samples from nonhuman Hlawga National Park near Yangon, Myanmar, and detected antibodies against chikungunya (33%) Japanese encephalitis (4%) viruses. Buffer zones between primate human communities might reduce cross-species