Hawkes, V. C., N. Hentze and T. G. Gerwing. 2021. Trends in avian use of reclaimed boreal forest habitat Canada's oil sands. Avian Conservation Ecology 16(2):5. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01915-160205

We report the complete genome sequence of the Embu virus. The genome consists of 185,139 bp and is nearly identical to that of the Cotia virus. This is the first report on the Embu virus genome sequence, which has been considered an unclassified poxvirus until now.

BACKGROUND We have previously described a four antigen malaria vaccine consisting of DNA plasmids boosted by recombinant poxviruses which protects a high percentage of rhesus monkeys against Plasmodium knowlesi (Pk) malaria. This is a multi-stage vaccine that includes two pre-erythrocytic antigens, PkCSP and PkSSP2(TRAP), and two erythrocytic antigens, PkAMA-1 and PkMSP-1(42kD). The present stu...

Bavarian Nordic, Inc. is developing poxvirus-based cancer immunotherapies. These therapies employ vaccinia-, Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA)-, and fowlpox-based vectors that were engineered to express one or more tumor-associated antigens (TAA). These vectors are used alone or in prime-boost strategies to generate an active immune response against a variety of cancers. The lead candidate PROSTVA...

Combining poxvirus-based immunotherapies which “step on the gas” to activate tumor antigen-specific T cell immune responses with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) which “release the brakes” on the immune system is a promising direction for enhancing cancer immunotherapy. Evidence for the potential clinical benefit from combination immunotherapy was obtained in a Phase I dose escalation trial....

Infectious diseases still remain the second leading cause of death worldwide, representing therefore a major public health challenge. My research focuses on evolutionary genetics and population dynamics of various pathogenic microorganisms: Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Plasmodium parasites. Understanding these parameters is releva...

A component of streptovaricin complex inhibits the replication of poxvirus. To be effective, the inhibitor must be introduced early in the replication cycle; it appears to inhibit early messenger ribonucleic acid synthesis by viral cores, thus interfering with all subsequent events. Neither of the two major components of the complex, streptovaricin A or C, was the active component.

During 2014, cutaneous lesions were reported in dairy cattle and farmworkers in the Amazon Region of western Colombia. Samples from 6 patients were analyzed by serologic and PCR testing, and results demonstrated the presence of vaccinia virus and pseudocowpox virus. These findings highlight the need for increased poxvirus surveillance in Colombia.

To understand the emergence of vaccinia virus Cantagalo strain in the Amazon biome of Brazil, during 2008-2010 we conducted a molecular and epidemiologic survey of poxvirus outbreaks. Data indicate that animal movement was the major cause of virus dissemination within Rondonia State, leading to the establishment and spread of this pathogen.