Dirk Jochmans

It's time to install solar panels on my head ...

Always ‘one atom away’: The long, rocky journey to an HIV prevention breakthrough Developing lenacapavir, the drug newly approved to protect against HIV for six months in one shot, took basic science, sophisticated chemistry, and perseverance

A most beautiful story in antiviral drug discovery ... www.science.org/content/arti...

A coronavirus assembly inhibitor that targets the viral membrane protein - Nature High-throughput screening and hit optimization have led to the development of a small molecule, CIM-834, that targets the SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein and blocks assembly of the virus.

Our group discovered CIM834, a novel antiviral that blocks the assembly of SARS-CoV-2 (www.nature.com/articles/s41...). While all viral components are produced within the cell, CIM834 prevents their assembly into new infectious virions. Research from @neytsjohan.bsky.social and antivirals.be.

I’m delighted that we could contribute the #cryoEM data to this incredible antiviral discovery project from the group of @neytsjohan.bsky.social 💊

"A coronavirus assembly inhibitor that targets the viral membrane protein"

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

A huge congrats to everyone involved! 🎉

The Story behind the Science: On the discovery of respiratory syncytial virus | mBio Today, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations (1) and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among older individuals (2). On 3 May 2024, the Johns Ho...

History lessons on human viruses:
On the discovery of respiratory syncytial virus | mBio journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

An engaging look at a possible HIV cure, polio eradication efforts, and pandemic preparedness. Also, a great example of strategic communication.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his past statements over vaccines, abortion and other issues that relate to his potential role as the nation's top health official.

Elizabeth Warren has questions for RFK Jr — 175 of them.

On vaccines. On abortion. On his theories, like suggesting covid was "ethnically targeted."

"I ask that you review these questions and arrive prepared to answer them," @warren.senate.gov writes in letter to Kennedy and shared with The Post.

Barcoded SARS-CoV-2 viruses define the impact of duration and route of exposure on the transmission bottleneck in a hamster model Barcoded SARS-CoV-2 enables precise, quantitative studies of transmission.

A very elegant method shows that it is mainly SARS-CoV-2 from the nose and not the lungs that is transmitted to a next patient (mouse in this case). The authors use a mix of >200 different SARS-CoV-2 viruses with a unique sequence barcode in their genome.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Another milestone for antivirals. Postexposure treatment with the oral drug obeldesivir protects against Marburg virus. The authors also discuss how this can be introduced in the clinic during the next Marburg or Ebola outbreak.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Couldn’t find a virology starter pack so here’s one to get the ball rolling. Repost/reply if you are a virologist so I can find and add you to the list!

go.bsky.app/SinqoJU