Stephanie L. Williams

Avian-origin influenza A viruses tolerate elevated pyrexic temperatures in mammals Host body temperature can define a virus’s replicative profile—influenza A viruses (IAVs) adapted to 40° to 42°C in birds are less temperature sensitive in vitro compared with human isolates adapted t...

Very happy to have been able to contribute to this study that was published today in Science, which was truly a great collaborative effort. Avian PB1 provides a fitness advantage to IAV at febrile-range temperatures both in vitro and a hyperthermic nouse model 🦠 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#flu

A banner in a Charles Rennie Mackintosh style showing and influenza virion and reading 'Influenza Update Meeting'

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Influenza Update 2025
University of Warwick, 15th - 16th December
warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/...
Registration from £50 - £120
DEADLINE: 7th November
We hope you can join us there!

In 2019, NIAID proposed an ambitious scientific network focused on pandemic preparedness, research, and response - the "CREID Network".

Ten centers kicked off just as the pandemic was taking off, playing critical roles throughout.

We were just notified the whole network is terminated.

Reason? 👇

NIH killed grants on orders from Elon Musk’s DOGE Court documents and internal correspondence show the cost-cutting force has broad control over the world’s largest public biomedical funder.

“It means we’re not doing science—we’re doing politics, and we are engaging in censorship.”

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

ANP32 proteins from ticks and vertebrates are key host factors for replication of Bourbon virus across species | Journal of Virology Viral polymerases rely on cellular cofactors to support efficient transcription of viral genes and replication of the viral genome. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of influenza virus, an orthomyxovir...

ANP32 proteins from ticks and vertebrates are key host factors for replication of Bourbon virus across species journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

Everything in this article rings true. The vagueness of this EO and the proposed ramifications are unsettling. Any GoF regulations must be clear and explicit, otherwise all infectious disease research could be in limbo. The consequence? Public health. This is disappointing and, sadly, unsurprising.

Exciting job opportunities!

Two postdoc positions are available in the Fodor Lab at
@dunnschool.bsky.social to study influenza virus transcription, genome replication, nuclear export and assembly.

More info: my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...

Researcher of 1918 flu virus takes over NIAID Jeffery Taubenberger becomes acting director of NIH’s second largest institute

I admit I’m very biased towards the new acting director of NIAID. Jeff is a phenomenal mentor and researcher, and an overall stellar human. I look forward to see how he will advocate for NIAID researchers in the interim 🦠

www.science.org/content/arti...

This bill could dismantle virology research. Please follow this informative thread to see why this is concerning for the field as a whole. It also makes me worried about what jobs I’ll be able to find post-graduation.

Also, hate seeing influenza listed first this document…

NIH ban on renewing senior scientists adds to assaults on its in-house research Policy follows firings of tenure-track scientists and suspension of training programs

Enough is enough. It’s gut-wrenching to see this happen in a place that’s been my scientific ‘home’ for seven years.

www.science.org/content/arti...

This is truly a shame and the reality of what seems to be the molding of a bleak, new age of scientific research…there’s further info on flagged words in the posted 🧵 Please share widely.

(views are my own)

USDA milk testing shows different strain of H5N1 bird flu in Nevada dairy herds The USDA said four Nevada dairy herds were infected with an H5N1 bird flu strain that has circulated in wild birds, making prospects for containment in cows appear dim.

This is major #H5N1 news: While, so far, dairy cows in the US were infected by genotype B3.13, genotype D1.1 was found in Nevada via the national milk testing strategy.

If confirmed that it's not a bird intrusion into a milk tank, this means that there has been a new spillover into dairy cows.

Extremely interesting and equally concerning. Definitley eager to see these sequences…🦠🐄

Interesting new study by Halwe et al. examining the susceptibility and transmission of two 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5N1 viruses in calves and dairy cattle 🦆🐮 Explored how dairy cattle may be acceptable to multiple HPAI H5N1 and cause severe mastitis in mammary tissue 🐄
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Trump hits NIH with ‘devastating’ freezes on meetings, travel, communications, and hiring Researchers facing

As a PhD student at NIH who’s program depends on traveling to and from the UK, panic and uncertintiy is just the start of the emotions me and my fellow students are feeling; it’s unsettling how quickly things can change and a swipe of a pen can rippling consequences
www.science.org/content/arti...

Polymerase mutations underlie adaptation of H5N1 influenza virus to dairy cattle and other mammals. In early 2024, an unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza was detected in dairy cattle in the USA. The epidemic remains uncontrolled, with spillbacks into poultry, wild birds...

Really proud to share our preprint describing early adaptation of H5N1 to US dairy cattle, and showing how these mutations enhance the ability of the virus to infect other mammals, such as pigs and humans.

With @influenzal.bsky.social @vidhid.bsky.social @drclairesmith.bsky.social and many more!

Effect of pandemic influenza A virus PB1 genes of avian origin on viral RNA polymerase activity and pathogenicity Past influenza pandemics contained polymerase genes from avian influenza viruses, affecting viral replication and pathogenicity.

Avian origin and pandemic PB1 genes from influenza A viruses influence replication and pathogenesis in an avian influenza virus. Happy for this story to be out and thank you to my co-authors 🦠 #influenza #virology
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Wendy Barclay and I will soon be recruiting a postdoc to work on a virology project investigating the evolution of swine influenza viruses and how this impacts future pandemic potential.
Job will be based at Imperial's South Kensington campus. Drop me a DM/email for more details.