On episode #69 of the podcast This Week in Virology , Vincent, Alan, and Rich review recent outbreaks of mumps in the UK, US, and Israel, protection of mice against 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus by 1918-like and classical swine H1N1 vaccines, and a virus-like particle vaccine for chikungunya virus. Host links Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , and Rich Condit Links for this episode: Mumps outbreak in Israel ( ProMedMail and Eurosurveillance ; thanks Lenn!) and Iowa Retraction of Wakefield vaccines- ...
Feb 08, 2010•1 hr 23 min
On episode #68 of the podcast This Week in Virology , Vincent, Alan, and Rich are enthralled by movies of vaccinia virus plaque formation, then consider how repulsion of superinfection virions leads to rapid virus spread, and a therapeutic prostate cancer vaccine. Host links Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , and Rich Condit Links for this episode: Rapid virus spread by repulsion of superinfection virions Movie of vaccinia virus plaque formation (.mov) Movie of GFP-vaccinia virus plaque formation ...
Feb 01, 2010•1 hr 21 min
On episode #67 of the podcast This Week in Virology , Vincent, Alan, and Marc Pelletier talk about chronic wasting disease of deer caused by prions, blocking the semen-derived enhancer of HIV infection with surfen, and making green transgenic rabbits using a lentiviral vector. Host links Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , and Marc Pelletier Links for this episode: Chronic wasting disease in West Virginia Chronic wasting disease alliance and CDC webpage Semen-derived inhibitor of viral infection ( ...
Jan 24, 2010•1 hr 28 min
On episode #66 of the podcast This Week in Virology , Vincent and Dickson continue virology 101 with a discussion of information flow from RNA to DNA, a process known as reverse transcription, which occurs in cells infected with retroviruses, hepatitis B virus, cauliflower mosaic virus, foamy viruses, and even in uninfected cells. Host links Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier Links for this episode: Discovery of RNA tumor viruses Reverse transcriptase found by Temin and Baltimore (pdfs) F...
Jan 18, 2010•1 hr 9 min
On episode #65 of the podcast This Week in Virology , Vincent, Alan, and Matthew Frieman Vincent, Alan, and Matt discuss a project to study the RNA virome of Northeastern American bats, failure to detect XMRV in UK chronic fatigue syndrome patients, and DNA of bornavirus, an RNA virus, in mammalian genomes. Host links Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , and Matthew Frieman Links for this episode: Mist net Indigo Tunnel, Western Maryland Railway ( jpg ) Eric Donaldson and Amy Haskew with bat in hold...
Jan 10, 2010•1 hr 20 min
On episode #64 of the podcast This Week in Virology , Vincent, Alan, and Rich discuss ten compelling virology stories of 2009. Host links Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , and Rich Condit Ten virology stories of 2009: Pandemic influenza: Swine-origin H1N1 virus ( TWiV 36 ) XMRV, prostate cancer, and chronic fatigue syndrome (TWiV 50 , 55 ) AIDS vaccine 'success' ( TWiV 51 ) Colony collapse disorder (TWiV 46 , 49 ) AIDS-like disease in wild chimps ( TWiV 45 ) Diverse viral community in Antarctic l...
Jan 03, 2010•1 hr 35 min
On episode #63 of the podcast This Week in Virology , Vincent, Alan, and Rich talk about US government contract for freeze-dried smallpox vaccine, red squirrels in the UK threatened by poxvirus, and Marseillevirus, another DNA virus from amoebae built for comfort and speed. Host links Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , and Rich Condit Links for this episode: US Government awards contract to Bavarian Nordic for freeze-dried smallpox vaccine ( pdf and clinical trial ) UK red squirrels threatened by ...
Dec 20, 2009•1 hr 29 min
On episode #62 of the podcast This Week in Virology , Vincent, Dickson, and Alan discuss STEP HIV-1 vaccine failure caused by the adenovirus vector, presence of West Nile virus in kidneys for years after initial infection, adaptation of the influenza viral RNA polymerase for replication in human cells, and the significance of the D225G change in the influenza HA protein. Host links Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , and Alan Dove Links for this episode: HIV vaccine failure probably caused...
Dec 13, 2009•1 hr 6 min
On episode 61 of the podcast "This Week in Virology", Vincent and Dick muse about the symbiotic bacterium, Wolbachia , that protects flies from viral infection, the origin of 2009 influenza H1N1 virus, and the lure of original antigenic sin. Host links Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier Links for this episode: Variation in antiviral protection mediated by different Wolbachia strains in Drosophila simulans Wolbachia induces resistance to RNA virus infections in Drosophila Wolbachia reduces...
Dec 06, 2009•1 hr 3 min
Vincent and Dickson continue Virology 101 with a discussion of how RNA viruses produce mRNA and replicate their genomes. Host links Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier Links for this episode: Diagrams of viral RNA synthesis Animations of influenza virus and HIV-1 replication...
Nov 29, 2009•1 hr 11 min
A TWiV panel of five considers the finding of Streptococcus pneumoniae in fatal H1N1 cases in Argentina, hysteria in the Ukraine over pandemic influenza, and human vaccinia infection after contact with a raccoon rabies vaccine bait. Host links Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , Gustavo Palacios , and Mady Hornig Links for this episode: Argentine flu death mystery H1N1 influenza outbreak in Ukraine (article one and two , and WHO statement ) Human vaccinia infection after contact with ...
Nov 22, 2009•1 hr 20 min
Vincent, Dick, and Alan are joined by emergency medicine physician Dr. Joshua Stillman to talk about passive antibody therapy for Nipah infection in ferrets, annual influenza immunization of children, facemasks to prevent influenza, predicting dengue outbreaks by the weather, and the amazing viral communities in an icy Antarctic lake. Host links Vincent Racaniello , Dick Despommier , Alan Dove , and Joshua Stillman Links for this episode: Post-exposure passive antibody therapy for Nipah virus in...
Nov 15, 2009•1 hr 13 min
Vincent visits Scotch Plains – Fanwood High School and talks about viruses with high school biology students. Host links: Vincent Racaniello Links for this episode: Vincent’s presentation (pdf) Thank you letters Oncolytic reovirus Does rhinovirus interfere with influenza?...
Nov 08, 2009•1 hr 34 min
Vincent, Dick, Alan, and Cliff answer questions from listeners on swine influenza origins, transmission, virulence, and vaccines, HIV and AIDS, and more. Host links: Vincent Racaniello , Dick Despommier , Alan Dove , and Cliff Mintz Links for this episode: Physicists propose ' Schrödinger's Virus ' experiment (thanks Duncan) Nanoparticle adjuvant ( ScienceDaily and Journal of Controlled Release - thanks Jim) Hand washing won't stop H1N1 at Newsweek (thanks Jim) Newsweek's virus quiz TWiV timelin...
Nov 01, 2009•1 hr 20 min
The largest TWiV panel ever assembled takes on XMRV and chronic fatigue syndrome, 2009 chemistry Nobel prizes for ribosome structure, finding new poxvirus vaccine candidates, a brouhaha over leaked Canadian data on flu susceptibility, and transmission of H1N1 influenza to a pet ferret. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Dick Despommier , Alan Dove , Jason Rodriguez, and Rich Condit Links for this episode: XMRV and chronic fatigue syndrome XMRV not found in German prostate cancer 2009 Chemistry Nobel Pr...
Oct 25, 2009•1 hr 31 min
Vincent speaks with Lynn Enquist about his career in virology, moving from academia to industry and back. Along the way he did pioneering research on bacteriophage, participated in the birth of recombinant DNA technology, and studied herpesviruses. Links for this episode: Holliday junction Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA Restriction enzymes Movies of herpesvirus movement in nerve cells The ' other ' Enquist lab Can you find the TWiV 54 hosts in this photo ? Weekly Science Picks Lynn Franc...
Oct 18, 2009•1 hr 28 min
Vincent, Dick, and Alan talk about Nobel prizes for telomere research, bacteriophages that protect aphids from wasps, salicylates and pandemic influenza mortality, and hand washing. Links for this episode: Bacteriophages encode toxins that protect aphids from wasps 14 year old dies after receiving HPV vaccine Salicylates and pandemic influenza mortality Canadian microbiologist says hand washing is not proven to prevent influenza Surgical mask vs N95 respirator for preventing influenza Americans ...
Oct 11, 2009•1 hr 2 min
Vincent and Dr. Scott Hammer talk about different types of AIDS vaccines and how they are tested in clinical trials. Links for this episode: PAVE 100 trial cancelled HIV vaccine shows promise for the first time Description of the Thailand AIDS program NEJM review on why AIDS vaccine is difficult ( pdf ) Arguments for the AIDS vaccine trial in Thailand International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)...
Oct 04, 2009•1 hr 11 min
Vincent, Dick, and Alan (with a cameo appearance by Rich Condit ) review the world’s largest Phase III study of a complex HIV vaccine candidate in Thailand, immunization of salmon against infectious salmon anemia virus, and an outbreak of blueberry shock virus in Michigan. Links for this episode: HIV vaccine shows promise for the first time - description of the program, FDA background document ( pdf ), NEJM review on why AIDS vaccine is difficult ( pdf ), and arguments for the trial Chile immuni...
Sep 27, 2009•1 hr 24 min
Vincent and Jason review influenza 2009 H1N1 vaccine trials and protection against the virus conferred by the 1976 swine flu vaccine, then move on to a virus called XMRV and its possible role in prostate cancer. Links for this episode: One dose of influenza 2009 H1N1 vaccine without adjuvant is enough Partially completed study on influenza 2009 H1N1 vaccine with MF59 adjuvant 1976 swine flu vaccine induces cross-reactive antibodies against influenza 2009 H1N1 strain Explanation of hemagglutinati...
Sep 20, 2009•1 hr 15 min
Vincent and Dick continue Virology 101 with a discussion of the seven different types of viral genomes, and how to use the pathway to mRNA to understand viral replication. Links for this episode: Dick talks about hookworm on Radio Lab Dick's video page at BigThink The seven types of viral genome Animation of HIV replication (thanks axiomatically atypical!) Changes in transcript abundance relating to colony collapse disorder in honey bee (thanks Judi!) Weekly Science Picks Dick Discovery Channel:...
Sep 13, 2009•1 hr 3 min
Vincent, Dick, Alan and Rich revisit a vaccinia virus lab accident and viral vaccines produced in plants, then talk about an iPhone app to track infectious diseases, flying foxes, and an inhaled measles vaccine. Links for this episode: Laboratory acquired vaccinia infection Medicago (investor presentation , pdf) and Fraunhofer produce vaccines in plants iPhone app Outbreaks near me No culling of flying foxes in Australia Inhaled powdered measles virus vaccine Herpesvirus latency confers symbioti...
Sep 06, 2009•1 hr 20 min
Vincent and Dick discuss influenza virus-like particle vaccines produced in insect and plant cells, rapid sharing of influenza research, and answer listener questions about cytomegalovirus, viral evolution and symbiosis and much more. Links for this episode: A Farm on Every Floor Influenza virus-like particles in insect and plant cells PLoS Currents: Influenza Transmission of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus to turkeys [Thanks Debbie!] Baxter produces Vero cell H1N1 vaccine [Thanks Peter!] Boundaries o...
Aug 30, 2009•1 hr 11 min
Vincent and Dick continue virology 101 with a discussion of virus entry into cells, then answer reader email on colony collapse disorder and viruses that confer a benefit to their host. Links for this episode: Illustrations of virus entry into cells Nice reference for biological items (thanks Jim!) Colony collapse disorder: PBS program , descriptive study , metagenomic study, genetic analysis (thanks Swiss compass!) Potato virus Y and Alzheimer's disease (thanks Jennifer!) A virus in a fungus in...
Aug 23, 2009•51 min
Vincent, Dick, Alan, and Jennifer Drahos tackle the Hendra virus disease outbreak in Australia, AIDS-like disease in wild chimps, return of polio type 2 in Nigeria, the influenza pandemic wave, and rabies in three countries. Links for this episode: Hendra virus killing horses in Australia AIDS-like disease in wild chimps [ NY Times ] Polio type 2 returns in Nigeria Influenza pandemic wave [ Branswell ] Rabies in Ukraine , South Africa , and USA Cell phones turned into fluorescent microscopes [Th...
Aug 16, 2009•1 hr 26 min
Vincent, Dick, Alan, and Jennifer Drahos consider Marburg virus in Egyptian fruit bats, bacterial citrus pathogen found in shipping facility, canine parvovirus in Michigan, Relenza-resistant influenza virus, new HIV from gorillas, and public engagement on H1N1 immunization program. Links for this episode: Isolation of Marburg virus from Egyptian fruit bats Inspectors find bacterial citrus pathogen in California Parvovirus killing hundreds of dogs in Michigan Relenza-resistant H1N1 identified in ...
Aug 09, 2009•1 hr 18 min
Vincent and Dick explain virus classification, and revisit the 1976 swine flu immunization campaign and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Links for this episode: International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses ( ICTV ) CBS 60 Minutes on 1976 swine flu vaccine (thanks Gus and Swiss compass!) Vaccines and Guillain-Barré NINDS Guillain-Barré Information Reflections on the 1976 swine flu vaccination program Swine influenza outbreak at Fort Dix, 1976 Weekly Science Picks Dick Five Kingdoms: An Illustrated ...
Aug 03, 2009•47 min
Vincent, Dick, Alan, and Delthia Ricks discuss a new influenza virus-like particle vaccine, dog flu, ultrasensitive pen-sized virus detector, imported rabies in the US, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and next season’s flu vaccines. Hosts Vincent Racaniello , Dick Despommier , Alan Dove , and Delthia Ricks Links for this episode: Trivalent virus-like particle vaccine Canine flu virus vaccine Ultrasensitive virus detector Rabies imported into the US Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Kazakhstan ...
Jul 25, 2009•58 min
In episode 41 of "This Week in Virology", Vincent Racaniello , Dick Despommier , Alan Dove and Rich Condit chat about infectious salmon anemia virus, virus-resistant grapevines, virulence of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, origin of 1918 influenza virus, holy water ban to halt influenza, frequency of human WU and KI polyomavirus infection, rabies in China, and host species of sin nombre virus. Links for this episode Wal-Mart stops buying Chile salmon on virus outbreak Virus-resistant grapevines V...
Jul 19, 2009•1 hr 14 min
In episode 40 of "This Week in Virology", hosts Vincent Racaniello , Dick Despommier , and Alan Dove consider Reston ebolavirus in swine, historical perspective of H1N1 influenza virus emergence and circulation, Tamiflu-resistant H1N1, Tamiflu in Japanese river waters, transmission of H1N1 virus in ferrets, and pneumonia and respiratory failure from H1N1 in Mexico. Links for this episode Reston ebolaviru s in Philippine swine Historical perspective on H1N1 virus Salk's 1947 article on flu vaccin...
Jul 12, 2009•1 hr 11 min
