Publications by authors named "W Pfeifer"

Article Synopsis
  • SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations have decreased hospitalization and death rates in nursing home residents, but effectiveness is challenged by new variants and reduced immunity.
  • A study evaluated the immune response to the XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine in nursing home residents and healthcare workers, focusing on those with prior infections.
  • Results showed a significant increase in neutralizing antibody levels, especially in nursing home residents who had a previous infection, indicating the vaccine's ability to enhance immunity against Omicron variants.
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DNA origami nanotechnology has great potential in multiple fields including biomedical, biophysical, and nanofabrication applications. However, current production pipelines lead to single-use devices incorporating a small fraction of initial reactants, resulting in a wasteful manufacturing process. Here, we introduce two complementary approaches to overcome these limitations by recycling the strand components of DNA origami nanostructures (DONs).

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DNA origami nanostructures (DOs) are promising tools for applications including drug delivery, biosensing, detecting biomolecules, and probing chromatin substructures. Targeting these nanodevices to mammalian cell nuclei could provide impactful approaches for probing, visualizing, and controlling biomolecular processes within live cells. We present an approach to deliver DOs into live-cell nuclei.

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Chiral materials are essential to perceive photonic devices that control the helicity of light. However, the chirality of natural materials is rather weak, and relatively thick films are needed for noticeable effects. To overcome this limitation, artificial photonic materials were suggested to affect the chiral response in a much more substantial manner.

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Background: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has reduced hospitalization and mortality for nursing home residents (NHRs). However, emerging variants coupled with waning immunity, immunosenescence, and variability of vaccine efficacy undermine vaccine effectiveness. We therefore need to update our understanding of the immunogenicity of the most recent XBB.

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