RAIN: machine learning-based identification for HIV-1 bNAbs.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) are promising candidates for the treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infections. Despite their critical importance, automatic detection of HIV-1 bNAbs from immune repertoires is still lacking. Here, we develop a straightforward computational method for the Rapid Automatic Identification of bNAbs (RAIN) based on machine learning methods.

Therapeutic antibodies and alternative formats against SARS-CoV-2.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) heavily burdened the entire world. Despite a prompt generation of vaccines and therapeutics to confront infection, the virus remains a threat. The ancestor viral strain has evolved into several variants of concern, with the Omicron variant now having many distinct sublineages.

Functional annotation of a divergent genome using sequence and structure-based similarity.

Background: Microsporidia are a large taxon of intracellular pathogens characterized by extraordinarily streamlined genomes with unusually high sequence divergence and many species-specific adaptations. These unique factors pose challenges for traditional genome annotation methods based on sequence similarity. As a result, many of the microsporidian genomes sequenced to date contain numerous genes of unknown function.

Xenosurveillance proof-of-principle: Detection of and SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in mosquito blood meals by (pan)-specific ELISAs.

Blood-fed insects can be used to analyse the host blood for circulating vertebrate pathogens or antibodies directed against them. We tested whether naturally acquired antibodies in different host species can be detected by host-specific and pan-specific ELISAs in mosquito blood meals. Cat- and alpaca-specific ELISAs could detect antibodies against or SARS-CoV-2 in blood meals of for 48 and at least 24 h, respectively.

Structure of the reduced microsporidian proteasome bound by PI31-like peptides in dormant spores.

Proteasomes play an essential role in the life cycle of intracellular pathogens with extracellular stages by ensuring proteostasis in environments with limited resources. In microsporidia, divergent parasites with extraordinarily streamlined genomes, the proteasome complexity and structure are unknown, which limits our understanding of how these unique pathogens adapt and compact essential eukaryotic complexes. We present cryo-electron microscopy structures of the microsporidian 20S and 26S proteasome isolated from dormant or germinated Vairimorpha necatrix spores.

A streamlined CRISPR/Cas9 approach for fast genome editing in and .

() and () are closely related coccidian parasites belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa, which comprises many other important pathogens of humans and livestock. is considered a model organism for studying the cell biology of Apicomplexa mainly due to the ease of propagation in diverse host cells and the availability of a wide range of genetic tools. Conversely, culture systems currently exist only for the acute phase of infection, and genetic manipulation has proven much more challenging.

An experimental genetically attenuated live vaccine to prevent transmission of Toxoplasma gondii by cats.

Almost any warm-blooded creature can be an intermediate host for Toxoplasma gondii. However, sexual reproduction of T. gondii occurs only in felids, wherein fertilisation of haploid macrogametes by haploid microgametes, results in diploid zygotes, around which a protective wall develops, forming unsporulated oocysts.

Virtual screening as a strategy for the identification of xenobiotics disrupting corticosteroid action.

Background: Impaired corticosteroid action caused by genetic and environmental influence, including exposure to hazardous xenobiotics, contributes to the development and progression of metabolic diseases, cardiovascular complications and immune disorders. Novel strategies are thus needed for identifying xenobiotics that interfere with corticosteroid homeostasis. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) are major regulators of corticosteroid action.