This Week In Virology With Vincent Racaniello

TWiV discusses Sen. Cassidy calling for ACIP meeting delay, RFK Jr. abandons GAVI, millions of children at risk as global vaccination rates fall, RFK Jr. grilled by Congress, autism rates have increased 60-fold due to changed definitions, deep mutational scanning of rabies virus glyoprotein, and and proton gradient and incomplete TCA cycle in a giant virus. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, Brianne Barker, and Angela Mingarelli Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Sen. Cassidy calls for ACIP delay (NYTimes) RFK Jr. stops GAVI funding (NYTimes) Global vaccination rates drop, millions of children at risk (Guardian) Autism rates have increased 60-fold, here’s why (NYTimes) Deep mutational scanning of rabies virus glycoprotein (Cell Host Micr) Giant virus with proton gradient and partial TCA cycle (ISME J) Why cells are powered by proton gradients (Scitable) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks An

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello are alarmed at how RFK is breaking his promise of not altering vaccine policies, and nonexistent data and studies are used by members of the ACIP to make changes to immunization practices in the absence of a CDC director, justification for not honoring the US commitment to GAVI and global public policies including support of routine childhood immunizations, placing millions of children at risk for the return of vaccine preventable diseases including polio outbreaks in Pappa New Guinea and increased circulation of wildtype type 1 poliovirus, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, approval of Merck’s anti-RSV mRNA monoclonal antibody, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, immunization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, changes in COVID mRNA vaccine labeling and reframing of the science around the vacc

Rich travels to Dubrovnik for the European Congress of Virology 2025 and Vincent joins via Zoom to speak with Stéphane Blanc, Vanda Juranić Lisnić, and Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stöckl about their work on plant viruses, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Rich Condit Guests: Stéphane Blanc, Vanda Juranić Lisnić, and Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stöckl Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Assembled plant viruses move through plants (PLoS Path) Genome formula of multipartite virus (PLoS Path) Immune surveillance of cytomegalovirus in tissues (Cell Mol Immunol) Cytomegalovirus and NK cells (Nat Commun) Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis (J Clin Inves) Epstein-Barr virus and lymphoproliferative disease (Transplant) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be constru

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss in shock how RFK is breaking his promise of not altering vaccine policies by appointing new members of the ACIP, next ACIP meeting on guidelines for the COVID and RSV vaccines, circulation of “human insect viruses” including West Nile virus, and an outbreak of mpox on a cruise ship, and the ongoing measles outbreak before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, how to reduce the use of antibiotics for RSV and influenza infections in children, approval of the moderna RSV mRNA vaccine, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, immunization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and

David Tuller returns to TWiV to discuss RFK Jr. and the trashing of American public health, rituximab and ME/CFS, The Sick Times, the Cochrane Mess, a Norwegian Long Covid trial, effort preference and more. Host: Vincent Racaniello Guest: David Tuller Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server David Tuller writes at virology blog CFS, a long tangled tale (virology blog) The Sick Times Norwegian Long COVID trial (virology blog) Cochrane mess (virology blog) Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content on TWiV should not be taken as medical advice.

TWiV reviews the administrations dismantling of the committee that studies pandemic potential, firing of CDC vaccine advisory committee and replacing them with unqualified anti-vaxxers, zoonotic and sustained Mpox spread in Nigeria and Cameroon, and breadth of influenza A antibody cross-reactivity. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV 2:39 NIH terminates pandemic preparedness committee (Science) RFK Jr. fires all ACIP members (CNN) RFK Jr. names dubious members of new ACIP (NPR) Zoonotic and sustained Mpox spread in West Africa (Nature) Breadth of influenza A antibody cross-reactivity (Nat Micro) Letters read on TWiV 1227 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – Accidental discovery in planetarium show Alan – Project Hail Mary Vincent – How to speak to a vaccine sceptic: research reveals what works Listener Picks James – Looking at the wo

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello in horror examine dismantling of public infrastructure for establishing vaccine guidelines, the creation of a autism taskforce by someone disciplined for practicing medicine without a license, the ongoing pertussis, bird flu and measles outbreaks, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, the effective of oseltamivir vs supportive care when one is hospitalized with influenza infection, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, approval of another anti-RSV monoclonal antibody for treatment in infants, immunization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, results from the phase 3 randomized clinical trial of pemivibart, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, how artery disease impacts SARS-CoV-2 infectio

TWiV reviews the administration’s call for fools gold-standard science, NIH may publish in-house, avian influenza viruses in birds in China, and Omicron pathogenicity and immune responses. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Kathy Spindler Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Fool’s Gold Standard Science (Nature) NIH may publish in-house (Stat News) Diversity of H9N2 in China (Nat Micro) Omicron and immunity (Cell Rep) Letters read on TWiV 1225 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Kathy – mSphere virus species names standardization Rich –   Real Tides & Currents Graph HD Alan – Invasive termites spreading from privately owned boats Vincent – Entomologist Answers Insect Questions Listener Picks Gerry – Citations Needed podcast 221: Anti-science mugging Joyrell – Mayday: Air Disaster Favorite one, two, three, for Vincent Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questi

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello in dismay examine the MAHA-Make America Health Again-report and its inclusion of fictious studies or “Creative literature degree Medical Science writing”, RFK Jr contradicted by the CDC for COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children, reduction in MMR vaccine coverage, the ongoing bird flu and measles outbreaks, how the General Accounting Office instructed HHS to fix deficiencies in infectious disease testing before the next pandemic, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines approval of Moderna’s mNEXSPIKE vaccine for fall 2025, childhood immunization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, results from the phase 3 randomized clinical trial of pemivibart, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for a

TWiV reviews RFK Jr.”s MAGA report with non-existent literature citations, a new fungus that could further devastate North American bats, surveillance of avian influenza viruses through bird guano in remote regions, and the receptor for HKU5 coronaviruses is ACE2 from Pipistrellus abramus bats. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Kathy Spindler, and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Bad citations in MAGA report (Med Exp) Another fungus for North American bats (NY Times) Surveillance of avian influenza through bird guano (Nat Commun) ACE2 from Pipistrellus bats is receptor for HKU5 coronaviruses (Nat Commun) Letters read on TWiV 1223 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – New mutation found in orange cats Kathy –  Middle schooler’s STEM project leads to a bacterium with antibiotic activity and to an anti-cancer compound Vincent – Elon Musk’s Legacy Is Disease, Starvation and Death In

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello discusses vaccination trends, the changes COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women, easing of vaccination exemptions in Texas, the ongoing measles outbreak globally before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines and concern as confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 rise here and in China, different mechanisms by which to reduce transmission of respiratory pathogens, the May 22 VRBPAC COVID-19 vaccine meeting, where to find PEMGARDA, prolonged steroid and antibiotic therapies, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, how spike protein may alter mast cells and the immune response and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedic

TWiV reviews cuts in National Science Foundation budgets, cuts to Harvard University grants, judge blocks ban on Harvard enrolling international students, DOGE ordered cuts of NIH grants, endemic coronavirus infection induces Fc receptor binding antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, and inherited IFNAR1 deficiency causing adverse reactions to measles and yellow fever infectious vaccines. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Angela Mingarelli Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV NSF funding cut to lowest level (NY Times) 1,000 grants cut at Harvard University (Nature) Administration ban on international students at Harvard blocked (CNN) DOGE killed NIH grants (Nature) Endemic coronavirus infection induces FcR binding antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (J Virol) IFNAR1 deficiency and severe reaction to measles and yellow fever vaccines (J Exp Med) Letters read on TWiV 1221 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Angela –

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello debate the changes in FDA vaccine approval policy especially how it is applied to COVID-19 vaccines and restricts vaccine availability/usage and Novavax’s vaccine, mpox on surfaces and in the air, “bird flu”, the ongoing measles outbreak globally before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, benefits of vaccination for infants, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, the high number of childhood deaths during this “flu” season, the May 22 VRBPAC COVID-19 vaccine meeting, where to find PEMGARDA, prolonged steroid and antibiotic therapies, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, cognitive impairment in long COVID and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for

TWiV reviews pause in the use of Chikungunya vaccine, HHS to stop recommending COVID shots for pregnant women and children, molecular basis for shifted receptor recognition by an encephalitic alphavirus, and evolution of koala retrovirus transcriptional silencing in wild koalas. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, and Rich Condit Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Pause in use of Ixchiq (FDA) Change in COVID vaccine recommendations (STAT) Basis for receptor shift in encephalitic alphavirus (Cell) Transcriptional silencing of koala retrovirus (Cell) Letters read on TWiV 1219 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Rich – What’s that stuff in your bellybutton? Science has the answer. Vincent – New study reveals our skin’s own bacteria can help protect us from the bad effects of sunlight Listener Pick Rona – My Italian secret: the forgotten heroes and Italy and the Holocaust Foundation, Inc. Intro music is by Ro

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello wail about the attack on science within the US, cancellation of CDC’s committee on infectious diseases, mpox in Sierra Leone, “bird flu” in cats, the ongoing measles outbreak globally, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, benefits of vaccination for infants, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the WasterwaterScan dashboard, the high number of childhood deaths during this “flu” season, the May 22 VRBPAC COVID-19 vaccine meeting, where to find PEMGARDA, benefit of remedesivir, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, weight and distinct symptoms of long COVID and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Shut down federal advisory committee on infection prevention…

TWiV reviews new CBER chief at FDA, ending of Gates Foundation in 2045, gain of function executive order, origins of bat viruses ancestral to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, and single dose Sudan virus replicon vaccine protects guinea pigs from disease. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Prasad replaces Marks at FDA (US News) Gates Foundation ends 2025 (Gates Foundation) Gain of function Executive Order (White House) DURC policy (HHS) Origins of bat viruses ancestral to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (Cell) Sudan virus replicon vaccine (Nat Comm) Letters read on TWiV 1217 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Rich – Andor Season 2 Alan – Sequencing Mendel’s pea plant traits, and a good Science news article on the work Vincent – 2023 summer warmth unparalleled over the past 2,000 years Listener Pick Brian – Virology Capabilities Test (VCT): A Multimodal Viro

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello bemoan the attack on science within the US, salt water controls for vaccines, return to 1938 technology for flu vaccines, mRNA vaccines as “bioweapons”, rise in pertussis, benefits of the shingles vaccine and reduced dementia occurrence, and growing measles outbreak globally before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, the May 22 VRBPAC COVID-19 vaccine,  meeting, where to find PEMGARDA, return to antibiotic treatment for respiratory viral diseases, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Saline placebo control testing for new vaccines….not good chemistry! (W

From the 2024 International Hepatitis B virus meeting in Chicago IL, Rich Condit speaks with Thomas Tu about his experiences as a both a HepB scientist and patient. Host: Rich Condit Guest: Thomas Tu Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Hepatitis B Foundation Tu Laboratory Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

TWiV reviews universal vaccine initiative at NIAID, shut down of the Integrated Research Facility at Ft. Detrick, modeling the reemergence of infectious diseases as vaccination rates drop, and bacterial outer membrane vesicles bound to bacteriophages modulate neutrophil responses to bacterial infection. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV ASV 2025 Paul has Measles (YouTube, virology blog) Universal vaccine project (NIAID, CIDRAP) Measles update (US, Texas) Integrated Research Lab closed (Telegraph) Modeling reemergence of infectious diseases (JAMA) Outer membrane vesicles attached to phage (Front Cell Inf Micro) Pf phage review (Front Immunol) Letters read on TWiV 1215 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Alan – A Paradise Built in Hell, by Rebecca Solnit (and here’s my review of it) Jolene – Virology course student communication projects, Sp

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello bewail the attack on science within the US and withdrawal from the global health communities, association between the shingles vaccine and reduced dementia occurrence, ending of Uganda’s ebola outbreak, undermining effective responses to human bird flu infections, growing measles outbreak in the US and dire predictions of the return of vaccine preventable diseases including polio if vaccination rates continue to decline, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the WasterwaterScan dashboard, how HHS is undermining the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, if Paxlovid reduces stroke, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email B