This Week in Virology

In COVID-19 clinical update #54, Daniel Griffin covers effectiveness of 3 vs 6 ft physical distancing, effectiveness of masks, physical distancing, and eye shields, second vaccine dose completion, alleviation of COVID-19 symptoms after vaccination, vaccine trials in children, and IDSA approval of a mAb cocktail. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podc...

Forest and Maria-Isabel join TWiV to discuss their their project to engage thousands of citizens to swab inanimate surfaces in the San Diego area, then send the samples to the Rohwer Lab for nucleic acid analysis. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier , Rich Condit , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV!...

On a TWiV tetramer, we review the ongoing outbreaks of Ebolavirus disease in DRC and Guinea, evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infections in children are far more prevalent than are being detected, and recent long COVID estimates from the UK. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit , Alan Dove , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links...

In COVID-19 clinical update #53, Daniel Griffin reviews underreporting of infections and long term disease in children, a blood test for T cells, results of phase 3 trials for monoclonal antibodies, preliminary findings on an oral antiviral, clinical trial of ivermectin, and recommendations for upcoming gatherings. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google P...

Matt Frieman returns to TWiV to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic from the point of view of a coronavirologist, including his work with Novavax on their spike protein-based vaccine. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier , Rich Condit , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Guest: Matt Frieman Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this...

TWiV notes the passing of Mavis Agbandje-McKenna, and reviews data on maximizing fit for cloth and medical procedure masks, SARS-CoV-2 total and subgenomic viral load in hospitalized patients, and effect of changes in spike protein on efficacy in a mouse model of infection. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Go...

In COVID-19 clinical update #52, Daniel Griffin reviews differences in attack rates between children and adults, J&J vaccine phase III data, G6PD deficiency and vaccines, NIH halts convalescent plasma trial, dexamethasone in hospitalized patients, data on tocilizumab, and long COVID in children. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  em...

Janet Iwasa joins TWiV to recount how she became a molecular animator, including a pivot during her Ph. D. thesis research, the value of animations in science, and their latest animation of SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit , Brianne Barker and Kathy Spindler Guest: Janet Iwasa Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV...

Eva Harris and Janet Smith join TWiV to discuss how an antibody against dengue virus NS1 protein blocks endothelial dysfunction and the potential of treating infections by multiple flaviviruses. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Kathy Spindler Guest: Eva Harris and Janet Smith Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for...

In COVID-19 clinical update #51, Daniel Griffin reviews use of two masks, effectiveness of testing in nursing homes, updates on vaccines, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, little effect of vitamin D and remdesivir in clinical studies, and a long COVID research initiative from NIH. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email...

Ginger Campbell joins TWiV to discuss palliative care for COVID-19 patients, and how to approach the disease from a goals of care perspective. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier , Rich Condit , and Brianne Barker Guest: Ginger Campbell, MD Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episode Brain Science Podcast Dr. Campbell's...

The entire TWiV team assembles to discuss resurgence of COVID-19 in Manaus, Brazil, discovery of SARS-CoV-2 related viruses in bats in Southeast Asia, and increased Ct values after administration of mRNA vaccine. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patro...

In COVID-19 clinical update #50, Daniel Griffin discusses CDC guidance on school opening, decreased viral load after vaccination, randomized clinical trial of vitamin D treatment, a study of zinc plus vitamin C, anticoagulation therapy effect on mortality, and multi system inflammatory phase in children. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts , ...

Paul Offit joins TWiV to discuss all things vaccine, including how COVID-19 vaccine development was accelerated, whether the vaccines are safe and efficacious, the difference between an EUA and a licensed vaccine, sterilizing immunity, herd immunity, and much more. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Brianne Barker Guest: Paul Offit Subscribe (free):  iTu...

In COVID-19 clinical update #49, Daniel Griffin discusses CDC guidelines on mask use, drop in test frequency in the US, resurgence of COVID-19 in Brazil, possible impact of Pfizer vaccine on viral load, EUA for bamlanivimab and etesevimab administered together, and preliminary results of Tocilizumab in hospitalized patients. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,...

TWiV explores single dose administration and timing of second dose of AZD1222 COVID-19 vaccine, safety and efficacy of Sputnik V, and control of coronavirus recombination by a viral proofreading exonuclease. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episode AZD...

Theodora and Paul return to TWiV to explain how they quickly pivoted their retrovirus laboratories towards SARS-CoV-2, their work on the antibody response to infection and its durability, and the emergence of variants with increased resistance to neutralization. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier , Alan Dove , and Rich Condit Guests: Paul Bieniasz and Theodora Hatziioannou Subscribe (f...

In COVID-19 clinical update #48, Daniel Griffin reviews effect of spike amino acid changes on neutralization with monoclonal antibodies, Sputnik V safety and efficacy results, increased reactogenicity after a single vaccine dose in seropositive individuals, single dose vaccination in seropositive health care workers, and results of three clinical trials on the use of anticoagulants. Hosts:  Daniel...

TWiV explains why hydroxychloroquine failed in humans despite showing antiviral effects in cells, and reviews the published data on the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episode TMPRSS2 is why hydroxychloroquine failed (PLo...

Jason McLellan joins TWiV to reveal all we know about the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, followed by Novavax and J&S phase 3 results and a discussion of variants of concern: neutralization by vaccine-induced antibodies, transmission, and virulence. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Amy Rosenfeld Guest: Jason McLellan Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podca...

In COVID-19 clinical update #47, Daniel Griffin reviews phase 3 results for Novavax and J&J vaccines, transmission in K-12 settings in Wisconsin, data on Lilly and Regeneron monoclonal antibody therapy, and a study of colchicine for treatment of disease. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for t...

Gisa, Steffi, and César join TWiV to discuss their careers, their research, and the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit , and Kathy Spindler Guests: Gisa Gerold , Stefanie Becker , and César Muñoz-Fontela Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episode German Society for Virology Ticks in Germany and T...

The TWiVers review Biden's national strategy for the COVID-19 responses and pandemic preparedness, and an evaluation of the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episode Biden's COVID-19...

In COVID-19 clinical update #46, Daniel Griffin discusses the BinaxNow rapid antigen test, efficacy of Bamlanivimab in nursing homes, associations of serum vitamin D concentrations with in-hospital mortality and need for invasive mechanical ventilation, trials of IL-6 receptor antagonists, effects of anticoagulants on in-hospital mortality, and symptom persistence in outpatients. Hosts:  Daniel Gr...

In this episode, President Biden elevates his science advisor to his Cabinet, a review of the current flu season, the scientific goals of the WHO-convened Global Study of the Origins of SARS-CoV-2, and answers to listener questions. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit , and Kathy Spindler Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this epi...