University of South Florida
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland
University of San Francisco
Clemson University
Mapping The Tar Vrna Interaction With Hiv-1 Integrase,
2026
University of Southern Mississippi
Mapping The Tar Vrna Interaction With Hiv-1 Integrase, Jian Sun, Rahul Yadav, Tolga Catmakas, Luke Fisher, Nicholas C. Fitzkee, Jacques J. Kessl
Faculty Publications
A series of critical interactions within the viral core between viral RNA (vRNA) and HIV-1 Integrase (IN) has previously been reported. In these studies, contact points between vRNA and IN were identified using RNA-seq and MS-based protein foot-printing approaches. Several IN amino acids located in its C-terminal domain (CTD) were found to be essential for vRNA binding, and their alanine substitution severely impacted the correct morphogenesis of the mature viral core. Here, we have used the TAR element to extend these studies by performing a comprehensive mapping of the interaction by deploying RNA crosslinking and NMR methodologies. Together, these approaches …
Impact Of The Dose And The Number Of Transmitted/Founder Viruses On Siv Dynamics,
2026
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Impact Of The Dose And The Number Of Transmitted/Founder Viruses On Siv Dynamics, Sunil Maity, Vitaly V. Ganusov
Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference
No abstract provided.
Identifying The Role Of Human Dna Polymerase Delta During Human Cytomegalovirus Genome Synthesis,
2026
Dartmouth College
Identifying The Role Of Human Dna Polymerase Delta During Human Cytomegalovirus Genome Synthesis, Rachel Laree Dansereau
Dartmouth College Master’s Theses
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a large double stranded DNA virus and member of the Herpesviridae family. Like all herpesviruses, HCMV presents with characteristics of persistent, lifelong infections that transition between lytic and latent states. The replication of the viral genome is traditionally thought to occur by a rolling circle mechanism, but this model is supported by little evidence. It is known that HCMV actively recruits several host proteins to viral replication compartments (RCs), including proteins involved in the DNA damage response (DDR). The exact mechanisms of how these proteins are used and in what ways they help the virus remain …
Characterization Of The Antiviral Activity Of Mouse Schlafen Proteins,
2026
University of Texas at El Paso
Characterization Of The Antiviral Activity Of Mouse Schlafen Proteins, Wendy Paola Alvarez Leal
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
The goal of this work was to characterize the anti-viral role of mouse Schlafen8 and Schlafen9. Expression of these proteins is induced by type I interferon in response to viral infections. Importantly, their human functional orthologs exhibit anti-viral functions, and the structural element required for these activities are conserved in Schlafen8 and Schlafen9. Therefore, it is expected that these proteins will also impair viral replication. An important limitation in this field is that the anti-viral function of human SLFNs has been evidenced only in in vitro cellular models. No informative mutations have been described in human populations so far. Thus, …
Beyond Attachment: Endolysosomal Determinants Of New World Arenavirus Entry And Fusion,
2026
Washington University in St. Louis
Beyond Attachment: Endolysosomal Determinants Of New World Arenavirus Entry And Fusion, Cassandra E. Thompson
Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations
Arenaviruses are enveloped, negative-sense RNA viruses maintained in rodent reservoirs and transmitted to humans through exposure to aerosolized rodent excreta, where they can cause severe and sometimes fatal disease. The geographic distribution of arenaviruses reflects the range of their rodent reservoirs, resulting in the classification into Old World and New World groups, with New World arenaviruses further subdivided into clades A–D. Viral entry is the first step of infection and a major determinant of host range, tissue tropism, and zoonotic potential. Further, viral entry is a tightly regulated, multistep process that couple’s receptor engagement with intracellular trafficking and pH-dependent membrane …
A Novel Endolysin Of Phage Persinger Infecting Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: Activity Against Biofilms And Structural Prediction,
2026
James Madison University
A Novel Endolysin Of Phage Persinger Infecting Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: Activity Against Biofilms And Structural Prediction, Layla Abbud
James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal (JMURJ)
Endolysins are proteins that degrade bacterial cell walls. They are encoded on the genome of bacteriophages (viruses that infect and kill bacteria). At the end of the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage, endolysins cut the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall, allowing the release of viral progeny. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a well-known multidrug-resistant human pathogen that causes serious problems, especially in patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). One property of P. aeruginosa is the production of biofilms, which is a defense against antibiotics. Previous research has shown that endolysins from bacteriophages can degrade biofilms. The endolysin protein from Persinger, …
Tlr3 Mediated Type I Interferon Response In Mammalian Cell Defense Against Cryptosporidium Parvum Infection.,
2026
Pace University - New York
Tlr3 Mediated Type I Interferon Response In Mammalian Cell Defense Against Cryptosporidium Parvum Infection., Anjelica Matias
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of a diarrheal disease which affects many children in the USA as well as the rest of the world, yet the contribution of its double stranded RNA (dsRNA) viral symbiont, Cryspovirus (CSpV1) to host innate immunity remains unclear. This study investigated whether CSpV1 activates Toll Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling pathways and downstream Interferon type I (IFN I) responses in mammalian intestinal epithelial cells. Confluent Human Ileocecal Colorectal Adenocarcinoma cells (HCT8) were exposed to CSpV1, and the expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 3 (TRAF3), Nuclear Factor-𝜅-light chain enhancer of activated B-cells …
Structural Insights Into Host-Pathogen Interactions Of Coronaviruses And Alphaviruses,
2026
Washington University in St. Louis
Structural Insights Into Host-Pathogen Interactions Of Coronaviruses And Alphaviruses, Lucas Adams
Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations
The co-evolution of virus and host may partly be understood in terms of “cross-recognition”; that is, as a virus evolves to recognize and infiltrate a suitable cellular environment, the host reciprocally has evolved to recognize and thwart such an invasion. While this interplay is complex, audacious structural biologists may reduce it to discrete physical interactions between the virus and specific host factors, such as cognate receptors (i.e., viral recognition of host) or antibodies (i.e., host recognition of virus). These interactions underlie basic features of viral infection, including cellular tropism and antiviral immunity, as well as critical phenomena of viral evolution, …
Breaking Into Hiv-1'S Epigenetic Vault: Cure Strategies To Eliminate The Viral Reservoir,
2026
Thomas Jefferson University
Breaking Into Hiv-1'S Epigenetic Vault: Cure Strategies To Eliminate The Viral Reservoir, Joanna Jones, Chelsea Gunderson, Brian Wigdahl, Michael Nonnemacher
Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a retrovirus that integrates into the host cell's DNA as a provirus. Transcription from the provirus is regulated in large part by cellular proteins and epigenetic factors. These may be repressive or permissive to productive infection. The host factors that regulate this balance are therefore attractive targets for HIV-1 therapeutics. Indeed, proviral chromatin is the focus of two of the current HIV-1 cure strategies. "Shock and Kill" uses latency reversal agents to open the provirus's chromatin, promoting high levels of gene expression that induce the killing of infected cells. "Block and Lock" uses …
The Role Of Autophagy In Intestinal Infection In Mice And C. Elegans,
2026
Washington University in St. Louis
The Role Of Autophagy In Intestinal Infection In Mice And C. Elegans, Gowri Kalugotla
Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations
Although autophagy, which is the process by which cells reallocate nutrients and eliminate unwanted materials, has been studied for decades, the connections between autophagy, inflammation, and viral immunity are still under investigation. Our studies focus on two genes: murine Epg5, which is involved in fusion of the autophagosome and lysosome, and C. elegans atg-3, which is important for the elongation of the phagophore. Here, we find that Epg5 mutation protects against enteric viruses including norovirus and rotavirus. We identify IFN- responsive genes as a key alteration and observe that Epg5 mutant mice exhibit substantial alterations in the intestinal microbiota. Surprisingly, …
Uncovering Hidden Features Of Copyback Viral Genomes,
2026
Washington University in St. Louis
Uncovering Hidden Features Of Copyback Viral Genomes, Sarah Pye
Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations
Copyback viral genomes (cbVGs) are truncated non-protein coding viral genomes produced when an RNA virus polymerase detaches from the replication template and resumes elongation downstream, copying back a sequence complementary to the nascent strand. cbVGs can stimulate antiviral immunity and compete for viral proteins to suppress virus replication, but technical limitations of PCR-based approaches have painted an incomplete picture of the diverse cbVG populations generated during infection. Here, we sought to improve our understanding of cbVG molecular structure by harnessing long-read RNA sequencing tools. To do this, we developed a robust and reliable pipeline to sequence and analyze native full-length …
Development And Evaluation Of Lipid Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Dna Vaccines For Avian Influenza In Chickens,
2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Development And Evaluation Of Lipid Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Dna Vaccines For Avian Influenza In Chickens, Sushmita Kumari
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
Avian influenza virus (AIV) remains a major challenge for global poultry health, food production, and agricultural economies. Both low-pathogenic (LPAIV) and highly pathogenic (HPAIV) strains continue to circulate and evolve, creating an ongoing need for vaccines that can be updated quickly and provide broad protection. Although DNA vaccines offer a safe and flexible approach to rapidly incorporate new antigens, their use in poultry has been limited by poor delivery efficiency and the vulnerability of naked DNA to degradation. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which have proven highly effective for mRNA delivery, offer a promising solution, yet their potential for DNA delivery in …
Investigating Host Factors In Coronavirus Assembly And Egress,
2026
Loyola University of Chicago Graduate School
Investigating Host Factors In Coronavirus Assembly And Egress, Surovi Binte Sharmin Mohona
Dissertations
Coronavirus (CoV) structural proteins congregate at the ER-Golgi intermediate compartments (ERGIC) prior to virus budding into the organelle lumen. Subsequent trafficking and fusion of virus-containing, ERGIC-derived vesicles then release nascent viruses from infected cells. Our findings in this dissertation illuminate mechanisms by which CoV structural proteins coalesce at the virus assembly and budding sites. The cytoplasmic tails of all CoV spike (S) glycoproteins contain variants of a consensus KxKxx coatomer-binding motif. Host coatomer complexes facilitate retrograde trafficking of client cargo proteins via recognition of such motifs. Utilizing reverse genetics methodologies, we introduced variations in the S coatomer motif in a …
Surveillance Of A Novel Vesivirus Discovered In An Urban Mephitis Mephitis Population,
2026
University of New Hampshire, Durham
Surveillance Of A Novel Vesivirus Discovered In An Urban Mephitis Mephitis Population, Amanda E. Diggins
Honors Theses and Capstones
Caliciviridae is a family of non-enveloped, positive-sense, single stranded RNA viruses, including eleven defined genera that contain important pathogens of humans and animals. Within the Caliciviridae family, the genus Vesiviridae includes feline calicivirus, a leading cause of upper respiratory disease in cats, and vesicular exanthema of swine virus, a historical disease of domestic swine that has now been implicated in several marine mammal vesicular diseases, one of which has been confirmed zoonotic. Urban landscapes create a unique environment for rapid intra- and interspecies transmission of viruses. Clustered resources attract high-density populations of synanthropic wildlife species, increasing spatial overlap and heightening …
The Role Of Dromedary Camels In The Pprv Epidemiology: Episystem Possibility And Evidence Supporting Global Eradication.,
2026
Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt,
The Role Of Dromedary Camels In The Pprv Epidemiology: Episystem Possibility And Evidence Supporting Global Eradication., Reham Karam, Mahmoud S. Safwat
Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal
Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a notifiable, highly contagious and transboundary viral disease infecting a wide range of domestic and wild ruminant species and is caused by a morbillivirus. The disease represents a major predisposing factor of poverty in many endemic regions. Although global eradication of PPR is an internationally endorsed objective, achieving this goal has become increasingly challenging due to the expanding host range of the virus. Methods: Narrative review methodology was used and SANRA criteria to access reliability and quality of the methodology. focuses on PPR infection in camels, which has been reported in some instances …
Characterizing The Human Metapneumovirus Matrix Protein And Its Role In Infection,
2026
University of Kentucky
Characterizing The Human Metapneumovirus Matrix Protein And Its Role In Infection, Chase J. Heim
Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) causes severe respiratory tract infections in all cohorts, but especially in vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and the immunocompromised. The matrix (M) protein of HMPV, like the M proteins of other members of the Mononegavirales order, is involved in virus assembly and budding. However, other functions of the HMPV M protein have yet to be elucidated. To investigate these various functions of the M protein, we used a peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PPMO) antisense agent designed to block translation of the M gene to reduce M expression during infection. Treatment with varying concentrations of an …
The Geminivirus Al2 Protein Interacts With Host Proteins Involved In The Plant Antiviral Response,
2026
Northern Illinois University
The Geminivirus Al2 Protein Interacts With Host Proteins Involved In The Plant Antiviral Response, Pheobean Atieno Odongo
Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations
Geminiviruses are economically important plant DNA viruses infecting a broad range of plant species and causing devastating crop diseases, resulting in up to 100% crop loss. As a result of these heavy losses on food and cash crops, these viruses represent a new threat to global food security and sustainability. In this research, I use Tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV) to study host-virus relationships with an overall goal of developing sustainable and eco-friendly crop resistance. TGMV belongs to the Geminivirus subgroup, Begomovirus, that is characterized by a split genome consisting of two single-stranded circular DNAs. The TGMV genome encodes proteins …
Exploring The Application Of Wastewater Monitoring To Determine The Prevalence And Diversity Of Influenza On The Campus Of West Virginia University,
2026
West Virginia University
Exploring The Application Of Wastewater Monitoring To Determine The Prevalence And Diversity Of Influenza On The Campus Of West Virginia University, Lakyn Renee Sanders
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Influenza viruses (IV) affect populations globally, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that IV are responsible for an estimated 3-5 million infections and 290,000 – 650,000 deaths annually1–3. More specifically, the 2019-2020 IV season is associated with an estimated 38 million illnesses and 22,000 deaths in the United States alone4. IV are rapidly spread between individuals through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, or aerosolized virus particles2. Traditional IV infection monitoring relies on clinical screening of patients presenting influenza-like symptoms, commonly through the use of multi-target panel tests such as the BioFire …
The Effect Of The Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion On The Risk Of Hospital Closure And Adolescent Hpv Immunization In Rural Counties,
2026
Scripps College
The Effect Of The Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion On The Risk Of Hospital Closure And Adolescent Hpv Immunization In Rural Counties, Juliette Des Rosiers
Scripps Senior Theses
From 2005 to 2025, over 200 rural hospitals shut their doors, often citing increased operational costs, staffing shortages, low patient volume, regulatory barriers, financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and uncompensated care as common contributors to the closures. Rural patients are often referred by their primary care physician to a hospital for regular immunizations, since smaller clinics have less capacity to provide immunizations due to a shortage of pediatricians and limited vaccine stock. A crucial vaccine that is not required by schools and underutilized in rural areas is that against human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that infects cutaneous and …
Viral And Host Cell Determinants Of Resistance To Complement-Mediated Killing During Parainfluenza Virus Type 5 Infection,
2026
University Central of Florida
Viral And Host Cell Determinants Of Resistance To Complement-Mediated Killing During Parainfluenza Virus Type 5 Infection, Jenna R. Aquino
Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026
RNA viruses are a major global public health concern due to high mutation rates, zoonotic potential, and immune evasion. Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) can establish persistent infections (PIs) despite encountering innate immune responses, including the complement (C′) system. RNA virus replication produces defective interfering particles (DIPs) containing truncated defective viral genomes (DVGs) that depend on standard (STD) virus for replication. DVGs are increasingly detected in natural infections and modulate type I interferon (IFN-I), but their role in the C′ system is unclear. We investigated how DVGs affect C′-mediated lysis during PIV5 infection using real-time in vitro cell viability assays. C′ …
