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Dr Alberto Amarilla Ortiz

Research Fellow

School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
Faculty of Science
a.amarillaortiz@uq.edu.au
+61 7 336 52485

Overview

Dr. Amarilla graduated in Bachelor in Science (Biology) at the National University of Asunción, Paraguay in 2003. He obtained his PhD in Immunology at the University of Sao Paulo-Brazil and currently is a research fellow at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at UQ. He specializes in molecular virology, immunology and vaccinology and has more than seventeen years of experience studying several medically important viruses that have caused huge epidemics among the human population such as Rotavirus (RV), Dengue virus (DV), Zika virus (ZV), Rocio virus (ROCV), West Nile virus (WNV), Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) Influenza A virus (IAV) and Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Dr. Amarilla has a vast experience with reverse genetic system of several positive-strand RNA viruses from five different viral families (Faviviridae, Togaviridae, Caliciviridae, Mesoniviridae and Coronaviridae), enabling the discovery of viral determinants involved in pathogenicity (PMID: 30886357, 34103499, 28317911). He has established several murine models for neurotropic viruses, (PMID: 33414219, 30715407, 29897990). He has since authored and co-authored more than 60 published research articles with over 1000 citations pertaining to the field of virology. In 2008, he was part of the team awarded with the highest scientific merit of Paraguay (National Prize for Science) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the public health for the Paraguayan population on rotavirus epidemiology and evolution. At his current position, he is part of the team that developed a vaccine candidate for SARS-CoV-2, which is currently undergoing human clinical trial 1. He also established a high-throughput virus detection assay which facilitate the study of SARS-CoV-2 biology at UQ and managed investigations to determine the immunological responses required to efficiently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 during the pre-clinical trial stages of the vaccine development (PMID: 33643253).

Research Impacts

Our research program focuses on understanding the precise mechanism behind neurotropic viruses in inducing brain inflammation and the long-term consequences post-exposure, as well as deciphering the viral components that induce neurodegeneration. The program comprises revolutionary molecular biology approaches involving the innovative use of protein design (PMID 33841880; PMID 34750396; PMID: 34714668), monoclonal antibody discovery and characterisation (PMID 33558635, PMID 33414219), and the use of a reverse genetic system to determine the precise structure, functions, and effects of key viral proteins that promote neuronal dysfunction in the CNS, along with relevant application in medicine.

Our research program includes several major contributions:

1- Generated solid evidence in how the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 may trigger microglia cells activation as well as, provide a possible mechanism in how pre-exposed microglia cells to viral protein could enhance the cells activation in the presence of aggregated pathogenic proteins such as α-Synuclein fibrils (PMID 36316366).

2- Established several murine models for neurotropic viruses, which are essential to study the long-term consequences of virus-induced encephalitis (PMID 33414219, PMID: 30715407, PMID 29897990).

3- Developed a reverse genetic system for several positive sense RNA viruses from five different viral families (Faviviridae, Togaviridae, Caliciviridae, Mesoniviridae and Coronaviridae), enabling the discovery of viral determinants involved in pathogenicity (PMID 30886357, PMID 34103499, PMID 28317911).

4- Created a rapid, sensitive, ultra-high-throughput and reliable viral detection and quantification methodology, which has significantly contributed to accelerated research outcomes (PMID 33643253).

For the past 5 years, our research interests have significantly contributed to fundamental knowledges, which are essential to study the impact of viral encephalitis as a risk factor for developing neurodegenerative disease. This research program will provide valuable information to understand the exact mechanisms of how neurotropic viruses induce neuronal impairment in the CNS, potentially leading to the discovery of new therapeutic targets.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy of Basic and Applied Immunology, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
  • Masters (Coursework) of Basic and Applied Immunology, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
  • Bachelor of Science

Publications

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Grants

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Supervision

  • Broad-spectrum vaccines and therapies for coronaviruses

    Doctor Philosophy

  • Predicting and preparing for the unfolding evolution of SARS-CoV-2

    Doctor Philosophy

View all Supervision

Publications

Journal Article

  • Enhancement of cellular immunity following needle-free vaccination of mice with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

    McMillan, Christopher L. D., Wijesundara, Danushka K., Choo, Jovin J. Y., Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Fernando, Germain J. P., Khromykh, Alexander A., Watterson, Daniel, Young, Paul R. and Muller, David A. (2024). Enhancement of cellular immunity following needle-free vaccination of mice with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Journal of General Virology, 105 (1), 1-6. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001947

  • The role of N-glycosylation in spike antigenicity for the SARS-CoV-2 gamma variant

    Pegg, Cassandra L., Modhiran, Naphak, Parry, Rhys H., Liang, Benjamin, Amarilla, Alberto A., Khromykh, Alexander A., Burr, Lucy, Young, Paul R., Chappell, Keith, Schulz, Benjamin L. and Watterson, Daniel (2023). The role of N-glycosylation in spike antigenicity for the SARS-CoV-2 gamma variant. Glycobiology cwad097, 1-13. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwad097

  • Insights into senolytic drugs for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the brain

    Aguado, Julio and Amarilla, Alberto A. (2023). Insights into senolytic drugs for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the brain. Nature Aging. doi: 10.1038/s43587-023-00525-8

  • Senolytic therapy alleviates physiological human brain aging and COVID-19 neuropathology

    Aguado, Julio, Amarilla, Alberto A., Taherian Fard, Atefeh, Albornoz, Eduardo A., Tyshkovskiy, Alexander, Schwabenland, Marius, Chaggar, Harman K., Modhiran, Naphak, Gómez-Inclán, Cecilia, Javed, Ibrahim, Baradar, Alireza A., Liang, Benjamin, Peng, Lianli, Dharmaratne, Malindrie, Pietrogrande, Giovanni, Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Freney, Morgan E., Parry, Rhys, Sng, Julian D. J., Isaacs, Ariel, Khromykh, Alexander A., Valenzuela Nieto, Guillermo, Rojas-Fernandez, Alejandro, Davis, Thomas P., Prinz, Marco, Bengsch, Bertram, Gladyshev, Vadim N., Woodruff, Trent M., Mar, Jessica C. ... Wolvetang, Ernst J. (2023). Senolytic therapy alleviates physiological human brain aging and COVID-19 neuropathology. Nature Aging, 3 (12), 1-15. doi: 10.1038/s43587-023-00519-6

  • Long-term safety and immunogenicity of an MF59-adjuvanted spike glycoprotein-clamp vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in adults aged 18–55 years or ≥56 years: 12-month results from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial

    Chappell, Keith J., Mordant, Francesca L., Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Liang, Benjamin, Li, Zheyi, Wijesundara, Danushka K., Lackenby, Julia A., Griffin, Paul, Bennet, Jillian K., Hensen, Luca, Zhang, Wuji, Nguyen, Thi H.O., Tran, Mai H., Tapley, Peter, Barnes, James, Reading, Patrick C., Kedzierska, Katherine, Ranasinghe, Charani, Subbarao, Kanta, Watterson, Daniel, Young, Paul R. and Munro, Trent P. (2023). Long-term safety and immunogenicity of an MF59-adjuvanted spike glycoprotein-clamp vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in adults aged 18–55 years or ≥56 years: 12-month results from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial. eBioMedicine, 97 104842, 104842. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104842

  • Establishment of a CPER reverse genetics system for Powassan virus defines attenuating NS1 glycosylation sites and an infectious NS1-GFP11 reporter virus

    Conde, Jonas N., Himmler, Grace E., Mladinich, Megan C., Setoh, Yin Xiang, Amarilla, Alberto A., Schutt, William R., Saladino, Nicholas, Gorbunova, Elena E., Salamango, Daniel J., Benach, Jorge, Kim, Hwan Keun and Mackow, Erich R. (2023). Establishment of a CPER reverse genetics system for Powassan virus defines attenuating NS1 glycosylation sites and an infectious NS1-GFP11 reporter virus. mBio, 14 (4). doi: 10.1128/mbio.01388-23

  • A nanobody recognizes a unique conserved epitope and potently neutralizes against the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants

    Modhiran, Naphak, Lauer, Simon Malte, Amarilla, Alberto A., Hewins, Peter, Lopes van den Broek, Sara Irene, Low, Yu Shang, Thakur, Nazia, Liang, Benjamin, Nieto, Guillermo Valenzuela, Jung, James, Paramitha, Devina, Isaacs, Ariel, Sng, Julian D. J., Song, David, Jørgensen, Jesper Tranekjær, Cheuquemilla, Yorka, Bürger, Jörg, Andersen, Ida Vang, Himelreichs, Johanna, Jara, Ronald, MacLoughlin, Ronan, Miranda-Chacon, Zaray, Chana-Cuevas, Pedro, Kramer, Vasko, Spahn, Christian M. T., Mielke, Thorsten, Khromykh, Alexander A., Munro, Trent, Jones, Martina L. ... Watterson, Daniel (2023). A nanobody recognizes a unique conserved epitope and potently neutralizes against the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants. iScience, 26 (7) 107085, 107085. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107085

  • Inactivation of SARS‐CoV ‐2 infectivity in platelet concentrates or plasma following treatment with ultraviolet C light or with methylene blue combined with visible light

    Hobson‐Peters, Jody, Amarilla, Alberto A., Rustanti, Lina, Marks, Denese C., Roulis, Eileen, Khromykh, Alexander A., Modhiran, Naphak, Watterson, Daniel, Reichenberg, Stefan, Tolksdorf, Frank, Sumian, Chryslain, Seltsam, Axel, Gravemann, Ute and Faddy, Helen M. (2023). Inactivation of SARS‐CoV ‐2 infectivity in platelet concentrates or plasma following treatment with ultraviolet C light or with methylene blue combined with visible light. Transfusion, 63 (2), 288-293. doi: 10.1111/trf.17238

  • SARS-CoV-2 drives NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human microglia through spike protein

    Albornoz, Eduardo A., Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Parker, Sandra, Li, Xaria X., Wijesundara, Danushka K., Aguado, Julio, Zamora, Adriana Pliego, McMillan, Christopher L. D., Liang, Benjamin, Peng, Nias Y. G., Sng, Julian D. J., Saima, Fatema Tuj, Fung, Jenny N., Lee, John D., Paramitha, Devina, Parry, Rhys, Avumegah, Michael S., Isaacs, Ariel, Lo, Martin W., Miranda-Chacon, Zaray, Bradshaw, Daniella, Salinas-Rebolledo, Constanza, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Wolvetang, Ernst J., Munro, Trent P., Rojas-Fernandez, Alejandro, Young, Paul R., Stacey, Katryn J. ... Woodruff, Trent M. (2023). SARS-CoV-2 drives NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human microglia through spike protein. Molecular Psychiatry, 28 (7), 2878-2893. doi: 10.1038/s41380-022-01831-0

  • Monoclonal antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein suitable for multiple applications for current variants of concern

    Morgan, Mahali S., Yan, Kexin, Le, Thuy T., Johnston, Ryan A., Amarilla, Alberto A., Muller, David A., McMillan, Christopher L. D., Modhiran, Naphak, Watterson, Daniel, Potter, James R., Sng, Julian D. J., Lor, Mary, Paramitha, Devina, Isaacs, Ariel, Khromykh, Alexander A., Hall, Roy A., Suhrbier, Andreas, Rawle, Daniel J. and Hobson-Peters, Jody (2022). Monoclonal antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein suitable for multiple applications for current variants of concern. Viruses, 15 (1) 139, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/v15010139

  • Zika virus noncoding RNA cooperates with the viral protein NS5 to inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation and facilitate viral pathogenesis

    Slonchak, Andrii, Wang, Xiaohui, Aguado, Julio, Sng, Julian D. J., Chaggar, Harman, Freney, Morgan E., Yan, Kexin, Torres, Francisco J., Amarilla, Alberto A., Balea, Rickyle, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias, Watterson, Daniel, Wolvetang, Ernst, Suhrbier, Andreas and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2022). Zika virus noncoding RNA cooperates with the viral protein NS5 to inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation and facilitate viral pathogenesis. Science Advances, 8 (48) eadd8095, eadd8095. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.add8095

  • Development and evaluation of an 18F-labeled nanobody to target SARS-CoV-2's spike protein

    Lopes van den Broek, Sara, García-Vázquez, Rocío, Andersen, Ida Vang, Valenzuela-Nieto, Guillermo, Shalgunov, Vladimir, Battisti, Umberto M., Schwefel, David, Modhiran, Naphak, Kramer, Vasko, Cheuquemilla, Yorka, Jara, Ronald, Salinas-Varas, Constanza, Amarilla, Alberto A., Watterson, Daniel, Rojas-Fernandez, Alejandro and Herth, Matthias M. (2022). Development and evaluation of an 18F-labeled nanobody to target SARS-CoV-2's spike protein. Frontiers in Nuclear Medicine, 2 1033697. doi: 10.3389/fnume.2022.1033697

  • Skin-patch delivered subunit vaccine induces broadly neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

    McMillan, Christopher L.D., Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Choo, Jovin J.Y., Azuar, Armira, Honeyman, Kate E., Khromykh, Alexander A., Young, Paul R., Watterson, Daniel and Muller, David A. (2022). Skin-patch delivered subunit vaccine induces broadly neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Vaccine, 40 (34), 4929-4932. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.013

  • SARS-CoV-2 triggers complement activation through interactions with heparan sulfate

    Lo, Martin W., Amarilla, Alberto A., Lee, John D., Albornoz, Eduardo A., Modhiran, Naphak, Clark, Richard J., Ferro, Vito, Chhabra, Mohit, Khromykh, Alexander A., Watterson, Daniel and Woodruff, Trent M. (2022). SARS-CoV-2 triggers complement activation through interactions with heparan sulfate. Clinical and Translational Immunology, 11 (8) e1413, e1413. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1413

  • Nucleocapsid specific diagnostics for the detection of divergent SARS-CoV-2 variants

    Isaacs, Ariel, Amarilla, Alberto A., Aguado, Julio, Modhiran, Naphak, Albornoz, Eduardo A., Baradar, Alireza A., McMillan, Christopher L. D., Choo, Jovin J. Y., Idris, Adi, Supramaniam, Aroon, McMillan, Nigel A. J., Muller, David A., Young, Paul R., Woodruff, Trent M., Wolvetang, Ernst J., Chappell, Keith J. and Watterson, Daniel (2022). Nucleocapsid specific diagnostics for the detection of divergent SARS-CoV-2 variants. Frontiers in Immunology, 13 926262, 926262. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.926262

  • The distinguishing NS5-M114V mutation in American Zika virus isolates has negligible impacts on virus replication and transmission potential

    Peng, Nias Y. G., Amarilla, Alberto A., Hugo, Leon E., Modhiran, Naphak, Sng, Julian D. J., Slonchak, Andrii, Watterson, Daniel, Setoh, Yin Xiang and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2022). The distinguishing NS5-M114V mutation in American Zika virus isolates has negligible impacts on virus replication and transmission potential. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16 (5) e0010426, 1-17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010426

  • Absence of anti-RBD antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 infected or naive individuals prior to vaccination with CoronaVac leads to short protection of only four months duration

    Oliveira, Camille F. de, Neto, Walter F. F., Silva, Carla P. da, Ribeiro, Ana Claudia S., Martins, Lívia C., Sousa, Alana W. de, Freitas, Maria N. O., Chiang, Jannifer O., Silva, Franko A., Santos, Eder B. dos, Medeiros, Daniele B. A., Pinheiro, Gleiciane S., Brandão, Gleiciane F., Carvalho, Valéria L., Azevedo, Raimunda S. S., Vasconcelos, Pedro F. C., Costa, Igor B., Costa, Iran B., Santos, Mirleide C. dos, Soares, Luana S., Bedran, Rayssa L. S., Ferreira, James L., Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, McMillan, Christopher L. D., Freney, Morgan E., Muller, David A., Watterson, Daniel, Casseb, Lívia M. N. and Henriques, Daniele F. (2022). Absence of anti-RBD antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 infected or naive individuals prior to vaccination with CoronaVac leads to short protection of only four months duration. Vaccines, 10 (5) 690. doi: 10.3390/vaccines10050690

  • Peptide-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: peptide antigen discovery and screening of adjuvant systems

    Shalash, Ahmed O., Azuar, Armira, Madge, Harrison Y. R., Modhiran, Naphak, Amarilla, Alberto A., Liang, Benjamin, Khromykh, Alexander A., Hussein, Waleed M., Chappell, Keith J., Watterson, Daniel, Young, Paul R., Skwarczynski, Mariusz and Toth, Istvan (2022). Peptide-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: peptide antigen discovery and screening of adjuvant systems. Pharmaceutics, 14 (4) 856, 856. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040856

  • Dermal delivery of a SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine induces immunogenicity against variants of concern

    McMillan, Christopher L. D., Azuar, Armira, Choo, Jovin J. Y., Modhiran, Naphak, Amarilla, Alberto A., Isaacs, Ariel, Honeyman, Kate E., Cheung, Stacey T. M., Liang, Benjamin, Wurm, Maria J., Pino, Paco, Kint, Joeri, Fernando, Germain J. P., Landsberg, Michael J., Khromykh, Alexander A., Hobson-Peters, Jody, Watterson, Daniel, Young, Paul R. and Muller, David A. (2022). Dermal delivery of a SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine induces immunogenicity against variants of concern. Vaccines, 10 (4) 578, 578. doi: 10.3390/vaccines10040578

  • Synthetic heparan sulfate mimetic pixatimod (PG545) potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 by disrupting the spike–ACE2 interaction

    Guimond, Scott E., Mycroft-West, Courtney J., Gandhi, Neha S., Tree, Julia A., Le, Thuy T., Spalluto, C. Mirella, Humbert, Maria V., Buttigieg, Karen R., Coombes, Naomi, Elmore, Michael J., Wand, Matthew, Nyström, Kristina, Said, Joanna, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Sng, Julian D. J., Chhabra, Mohit, Young, Paul R., Rawle, Daniel J., Lima, Marcelo A., Yates, Edwin A., Karlsson, Richard, Miller, Rebecca L., Chen, Yen-Hsi, Bagdonaite, Ieva, Yang, Zhang, Stewart, James, Nguyen, Dung ... Turnbull, Jeremy E. (2022). Synthetic heparan sulfate mimetic pixatimod (PG545) potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 by disrupting the spike–ACE2 interaction. ACS Central Science, 8 (5) acscentsci.1c01293, 527-545. doi: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c01293

  • Author Correction: Development of molecular clamp stabilized hemagglutinin vaccines for Influenza A viruses

    McMillan, Christopher L. D., Cheung, Stacey T. M., Modhiran, Naphak, Barnes, James, Amarilla, Alberto A., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle, Lee, Leo Yi Yang, Guilfoyle, Kate, van Amerongen, Geert, Stittelaar, Koert, Jakob, Virginie, Lebas, Celia, Reading, Patrick, Short, Kirsty R., Young, Paul R., Watterson, Daniel and Chappell, Keith J. (2022). Author Correction: Development of molecular clamp stabilized hemagglutinin vaccines for Influenza A viruses. npj Vaccines, 7 (1) 3, 3. doi: 10.1038/s41541-021-00428-y

  • Detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain neutralization by a sensitive competitive ELISA assay

    Shalash, Ahmed O., Azuar, Armira, Madge, Harrison Y. R., Modhiran, Naphak, Amarilla, Alberto A., Liang, Benjamin, Khromykh, Alexander A., Watterson, Daniel, Young, Paul R., Toth, Istvan and Skwarczynski, Mariusz (2021). Detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain neutralization by a sensitive competitive ELISA assay. Vaccines, 9 (12) 1493, 1-21. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9121493

  • Potent neutralization of clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 D614 and G614 variants by a monomeric, sub-nanomolar affinity nanobody

    Valenzuela Nieto, Guillermo, Jara, Ronald, Watterson, Daniel, Modhiran, Naphak, Amarilla, Alberto A., Himelreichs, Johanna, Khromykh, Alexander A., Salinas-Rebolledo, Constanza, Pinto, Teresa, Cheuquemilla, Yorka, Margolles, Yago, López González del Rey, Natalia, Miranda-Chacon, Zaray, Cuevas, Alexei, Berking, Anne, Deride, Camila, González-Moraga, Sebastián, Mancilla, Héctor, Maturana, Daniel, Langer, Andreas, Toledo, Juan Pablo, Müller, Ananda, Uberti, Benjamín, Krall, Paola, Ehrenfeld, Pamela, Blesa, Javier, Chana-Cuevas, Pedro, Rehren, German, Schwefel, David ... Rojas-Fernandez, Alejandro (2021). Potent neutralization of clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 D614 and G614 variants by a monomeric, sub-nanomolar affinity nanobody. Scientific Reports, 11 (1) 3318, 3318. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-82833-w

  • Development of molecular clamp stabilized hemagglutinin vaccines for Influenza A viruses

    McMillan, Christopher L. D., Cheung, Stacey T. M., Modhiran, Naphak, Barnes, James, Amarilla, Alberto A., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle, Lee, Leo Yi Yang, Guilfoyle, Kate, van Amerongen, Geert, Stittelaar, Koert, Jakob, Virginie, Lebas, Celia, Reading, Patrick, Short, Kirsty R., Young, Paul R., Watterson, Daniel and Chappell, Keith J. (2021). Development of molecular clamp stabilized hemagglutinin vaccines for Influenza A viruses. npj Vaccines, 6 (1) 135, 135. doi: 10.1038/s41541-021-00395-4

  • Complete protection by a single-dose skin patch–delivered SARS-CoV-2 spike vaccine

    McMillan, Christopher L. D., Choo, Jovin J. Y., Idris, Adi, Supramaniam, Aroon, Modhiran, Naphak, Amarilla, Alberto A., Isaacs, Ariel, Cheung, Stacey T. M., Liang, Benjamin, Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle, Azuar, Armira, Acharya, Dhruba, Kelly, Gabrielle, Fernando, Germain J. P., Landsberg, Michael J., Khromykh, Alexander A., Watterson, Daniel, Young, Paul R., McMillan, Nigel A. J. and Muller, David A. (2021). Complete protection by a single-dose skin patch–delivered SARS-CoV-2 spike vaccine. Science Advances, 7 (44) eabj8065, eabj8065. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abj8065

  • Implications of dengue virus maturation on vaccine induced humoral immunity in mice

    Scott, Connor A. P., Amarilla, Alberto A., Bibby, Summa, Newton, Natalee D., Hall, Roy A., Hobson-Peters, Jody, Muller, David A., Chappell, Keith J., Young, Paul R., Modhiran, Naphak and Watterson, Daniel (2021). Implications of dengue virus maturation on vaccine induced humoral immunity in mice. Viruses, 13 (9) 1843, 1843. doi: 10.3390/v13091843

  • No evidence of human genome integration of SARS-CoV-2 found by long-read DNA sequencing

    Smits, Nathan, Rasmussen, Jay, Bodea, Gabriela O., Amarilla, Alberto A., Gerdes, Patricia, Sanchez-Luque, Francisco J., Ajjikuttira, Prabha, Modhiran, Naphak, Liang, Benjamin, Faivre, Jamila, Deveson, Ira W., Khromykh, Alexander A., Watterson, Daniel, Ewing, Adam D. and Faulkner, Geoffrey J. (2021). No evidence of human genome integration of SARS-CoV-2 found by long-read DNA sequencing. Cell Reports, 36 (7) 109530, 109530. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109530

  • A versatile reverse genetics platform for SARS-CoV-2 and other positive-strand RNA viruses

    Amarilla, Alberto A., Sng, Julian D. J., Parry, Rhys, Deerain, Joshua M., Potter, James R., Setoh, Yin Xiang, Rawle, Daniel J., Le, Thuy T., Modhiran, Naphak, Wang, Xiaohui, Peng, Nias Y. G., Torres, Francisco J., Pyke, Alyssa, Harrison, Jessica J., Freney, Morgan E., Liang, Benjamin, McMillan, Christopher L. D., Cheung, Stacey T. M., Guevara, Darwin J Da Costa, Hardy, Joshua M., Bettington, Mark, Muller, David A., Coulibaly, Fasséli, Moore, Frederick, Hall, Roy A., Young, Paul R., Mackenzie, Jason M., Hobson-Peters, Jody, Suhrbier, Andreas ... Khromykh, Alexander A. (2021). A versatile reverse genetics platform for SARS-CoV-2 and other positive-strand RNA viruses. Nature Communications, 12 (1) 3431, 3431. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23779-5

  • Assessing the potential of unmanned aerial vehicle spraying of aqueous ozone as an outdoor disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2

    Albert, Simon, Amarilla, Alberto A., Trollope, Ben, Sng, Julian D.J., Setoh, Yin Xiang, Deering, Nathaniel, Modhiran, Naphak, Weng, Sung-Hsia, Melo, Maria C., Hutley, Nicholas, Nandy, Avik, Furlong, Michael J., Young, Paul R., Watterson, Daniel, Grinham, Alistair R. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2021). Assessing the potential of unmanned aerial vehicle spraying of aqueous ozone as an outdoor disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2. Environmental Research, 196 110944, 110944. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110944

  • The structure of an infectious immature flavivirus redefines viral architecture and maturation

    Newton, Natalee D., Hardy, Joshua M., Modhiran, Naphak, Hugo, Leon E., Amarilla, Alberto A., Bibby, Summa, Venugopal, Hariprasad, Harrison, Jessica J., Traves, Renee J., Hall, Roy A., Hobson-Peters, Jody, Coulibaly, Fasséli and Watterson, Daniel (2021). The structure of an infectious immature flavivirus redefines viral architecture and maturation. Science Advances, 7 (20) eabe4507, 1-12. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abe4507

  • Preclinical development of a molecular clamp-stabilised subunit vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

    Watterson, Daniel, Wijesundara, Danushka K., Modhiran, Naphak, Mordant, Francesca L., Li, Zheyi, Avumegah, Michael S., McMillan, Christopher L. D., Lackenby, Julia, Guilfoyle, Kate, van Amerongen, Geert, Stittelaar, Koert, Cheung, Stacey T. M., Bibby, Summa, Daleris, Mallory, Hoger, Kym, Gillard, Marianne, Radunz, Eve, Jones, Martina L., Hughes, Karen, Hughes, Ben, Goh, Justin, Edwards, David, Scoble, Judith, Pearce, Lesley, Kowalczyk, Lukasz, Phan, Tram, La, Mylinh, Lu, Louis, Pham, Tam ... Chappell, Keith J. (2021). Preclinical development of a molecular clamp-stabilised subunit vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 10 (4) e1269, e1269. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1269

  • An optimized high-throughput immuno-plaque assay for SARS-CoV-2

    Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias Y. G., Sng, Julian D. J., Liang, Benjamin, McMillan, Christopher L. D., Freney, Morgan E, Cheung, Stacey T. M., Chappell, Keith J., Khromykh, Alexander A., Young, Paul R. and Watterson, Daniel (2021). An optimized high-throughput immuno-plaque assay for SARS-CoV-2. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12 625136, 625136. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.625136

  • A broadly protective antibody that targets the flavivirus NS1 protein

    Modhiran, Naphak, Song, Hao, Liu, Lidong, Bletchly, Cheryl, Brillault, Lou, Amarilla, Alberto A., Xu, Xiaoying, Qi, Jianxun, Chai, Yan, Cheung, Stacey T. M., Traves, Renee, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Bibby, Summa, Scott, Connor A. P., Freney, Morgan E., Newton, Natalee D., Khromykh, Alexander A., Chappell, Keith J., Muller, David A., Stacey, Katryn J., Landsberg, Michael J., Shi, Yi, Gao, George F., Young, Paul R. and Watterson, Daniel (2021). A broadly protective antibody that targets the flavivirus NS1 protein. Science, 371 (6525), 190-194. doi: 10.1126/science.abb9425

  • Protective efficacy of a chimeric insect-specific flavivirus vaccine against West Nile virus

    Vet, Laura J., Setoh, Yin Xiang, Amarilla, Alberto A., Habarugira, Gervais, Suen, Willy W., Newton, Natalee D., Harrison, Jessica J., Hobson-Peters, Jody, Hall, Roy A. and Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle (2020). Protective efficacy of a chimeric insect-specific flavivirus vaccine against West Nile virus. Vaccines, 8 (2) 258, 258. doi: 10.3390/vaccines8020258

  • Zika virus noncoding RNA suppresses apoptosis and is required for virus transmission by mosquitoes

    Slonchak, Andrii, Hugo, Leon E., Freney, Morgan E., Hall-Mendelin, Sonja, Amarilla, Alberto A., Torres, Francisco J., Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias Y. G., Sng, Julian D. J., Hall, Roy A., van den Hurk, Andrew F., Devine, Gregor J. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2020). Zika virus noncoding RNA suppresses apoptosis and is required for virus transmission by mosquitoes. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 2205, 2205. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16086-y

  • A recombinant platform for flavivirus vaccines and diagnostics using chimeras of a new insect-specific virus

    Hobson-Peters, Jody, Harrison, Jessica J., Watterson, Daniel, Hazlewood, Jessamine E., Vet, Laura J., Newton, Natalee D., Warrilow, David, Colmant, Agathe M. G., Taylor, Carmel, Huang, Bixing, Piyasena, Thisun B. H., Chow, Weng Kong, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Tang, Bing, Nakayama, Eri, Yan, Kexin, Amarilla, Alberto A., Wheatley, Sarah, Moore, Peter R., Finger, Mitchell, Kurucz, Nina, Modhiran, Naphak, Young, Paul R., Khromykh, Alexander A., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle, Suhrbier, Andreas and Hall, Roy A. (2019). A recombinant platform for flavivirus vaccines and diagnostics using chimeras of a new insect-specific virus. Science Translational Medicine, 11 (522) eaax7888, 1-15. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax7888

  • West Nile virus infection and interferon alpha treatment alter the spectrum and the levels of coding and noncoding host RNAs secreted in extracellular vesicles

    Slonchak, Andrii, Clarke, Brian, Mackenzie, Jason, Amarilla, Alberto Anastacio, Setoh, Yin Xiang and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2019). West Nile virus infection and interferon alpha treatment alter the spectrum and the levels of coding and noncoding host RNAs secreted in extracellular vesicles. BMC Genomics, 20 (1) 474, 474. doi: 10.1186/s12864-019-5835-6

  • Determinants of Zika virus host tropism uncovered by deep mutational scanning

    Setoh, Yin Xiang, Amarilla, Alberto A., Peng, Nias Y. G., Griffiths, Rebecca E., Carrera, Julio, Freney, Morgan E., Nakayama, Eri, Ogawa, Shinya, Watterson, Daniel, Modhiran, Naphak, Nanyonga, Faith Elizabeth, Torres, Francisco J., Slonchak, Andrii, Periasamy, Parthiban, Prow, Natalie A., Tang, Bing, Harrison, Jessica, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Cuddihy, Thom, Cooper-White, Justin, Hall, Roy A., Young, Paul R., Mackenzie, Jason M., Wolvetang, Ernst, Bloom, Jesse D., Suhrbier, Andreas and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2019). Determinants of Zika virus host tropism uncovered by deep mutational scanning. Nature Microbiology, 4 (5), 876-887. doi: 10.1038/s41564-019-0399-4

  • CCR2 plays a protective role in Rocio virus–induced encephalitis by promoting macrophage infiltration into the brain

    Amarilla, Alberto A, Santos-Junior, Nilton Nascimento, Figueiredo, Mario Luis, Luiz, Joao Paulo Mesquita, Fumagalli, Marcilio Jorge, Colón, David F, Lippi, Veronica, Alfonso, Helda Liz, Lima-Junior, Djalma S, Trabuco, Amanda C, Spinieli, Richard L, Desidera, Amanda C, Leite-Panissi, Christie R A, Lauretti, Flávio, Mendoza, Silvia Elena Sánchez, Silva, Cleide Lúcia Araújo, Rego, Eduardo Magalhaes, Galvao-Lima, Leonardo J, Bassi, Gabriel S, Penharvel Martíns, Sandra L B, Manrique, Wilson Gomez, Alves-Filho, José Carlos, Cunha, Fernando Q, Peng, Nias Y G, Modhiran, Naphak, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Khromykh, Alexander A, Figueiredo, Luiz T M and Aquino, Victor H (2019). CCR2 plays a protective role in Rocio virus–induced encephalitis by promoting macrophage infiltration into the brain. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 219 (12), 2015-2025. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz029

  • Fetal brain infection is not a unique characteristic of Brazilian Zika viruses

    Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias Y., Nakayama, Eri, Amarilla, Alberto A., Prow, Natalie A., Suhrbier, Andreas and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2018). Fetal brain infection is not a unique characteristic of Brazilian Zika viruses. Viruses, 10 (10), 541-10 of 10. doi: 10.3390/v10100541

  • Ilheus and Saint Louis encephalitis viruses elicit cross-protection against a lethal Rocio virus challenge in mice

    Amarilla, Alberto Anastacio, Fumagalli, Marcilio Jorge, Figueiredo, Mario Luis, Lima-Junior, Djalma S., Santos-Junior, Nilton Nascimento, Alfonso, Helda Liz, Lippi, Veronica, Trabuco, Amanda Cristina, Lauretti, Flavio, Muller, Vanessa Danielle, Colón, David F., Luiz, João P. M., Suhrbier, Andreas, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Khromykh, Alexander A., Figueiredo, Luiz Tadeu Moraes and Aquino, Victor Hugo (2018). Ilheus and Saint Louis encephalitis viruses elicit cross-protection against a lethal Rocio virus challenge in mice. PloS One, 13 (6) e0199071, e0199071. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199071

  • Helicase Domain of West Nile Virus NS3 Protein Plays a Role in Inhibition of Type I Interferon Signalling

    Setoh, Yin Xiang, Periasamy, Parthiban, Peng, Nias Yong Gao, Amarilla, Alberto A, Slonchak, Andrii and Khromykh, Alexander A (2017). Helicase Domain of West Nile Virus NS3 Protein Plays a Role in Inhibition of Type I Interferon Signalling. Viruses, 9 (11) 326, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/v9110326

  • Full genome sequence of Rocio virus reveal substantial variations from the prototype Rocio virus SPH 34675 sequence

    Setoh, Yin Xiang, Amarilla, Alberto A., Peng, Nias Y., Slonchak, Andrii, Periasamy, Parthiban, Figueiredo, Luiz T. M., Aquino, Victor H. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2017). Full genome sequence of Rocio virus reveal substantial variations from the prototype Rocio virus SPH 34675 sequence. Archives of Virology, 163 (1), 255-258. doi: 10.1007/s00705-017-3561-4

  • Chimeric viruses between Rocio and West Nile: the role for Rocio prM-E proteins in virulence and inhibition of interferon-α/β signaling

    Amarilla, Alberto A., Setoh, Yin X., Periasamy, Parthiban, Peng, Nias Y., Pali, Gabor , Figueiredo, Luiz T., Khromykh, Alexander and Aquino, Victor H. (2017). Chimeric viruses between Rocio and West Nile: the role for Rocio prM-E proteins in virulence and inhibition of interferon-α/β signaling. Scientific Reports, 7 (1) 44642, 44642.1-44642.8. doi: 10.1038/srep44642

  • Genetic characterization of Cacipacoré virus from ticks collected in São Paulo State, Brazil

    de Figueiredo, Glauciane Garcia, Amarilla, Alberto Anastacio, de Souza, William Marciel, Fumagalli, Marcılio Jorge, de Figueiredo, Mario Luis, Szabó, Matias Pablo Juan, Badra, Soraya Jabur, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Khromykh, Alexander A., Aquino, Victor Hugo and Figueiredo, Luiz Tadeu Moraes (2017). Genetic characterization of Cacipacoré virus from ticks collected in São Paulo State, Brazil. Archives of Virology, 162 (6), 1-4. doi: 10.1007/s00705-017-3279-3

  • Phylogenetic diversity of koala retrovirus within a wild koala population

    Chappell, K. J., Brealey, J. C., Amarilla, A. A., Watterson, D., Hulse, L., Palmieri, C., Johnston, S. D., Holmes, E. C., Meers, J. and Young, P. (2016). Phylogenetic diversity of koala retrovirus within a wild koala population. Journal of Virology, 91 (3) e01820-16, 363-374. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01820-16

Conference Publication

  • Zika Virus sfRNA plays an essential role in the infection of insects and mammals

    Slonchak, Andrii, Hugo, Leon E., Freney, Morgan, Amarilla, Alberto A., Hall-Mendelin, Sonja, Yan, Kexin, Torres, Francisco, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias, Chaggar, Harman K., Hurk, Andrew Van Den, Wolvetang, Ernst, Suhrbier, Andreas, Devine, Gregor J. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2020). Zika Virus sfRNA plays an essential role in the infection of insects and mammals. Viruses 2020—Novel Concepts in Virology, Barcelona, Spain, 5–7 February 2020. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2020050112

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