mRNA

A broad defense against SARS-like virusesSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the third coronavirus that has emerged as a serious human pathogen in the past 20 years. Treatment strategies that are broadly…

Eukaryotic genomes contain domesticated genes from integrating viruses and mobile genetic elements. Among these are homologs of the capsid protein (known as Gag) of long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons and retroviruses. We identified…

SummaryCertain virtues of the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines made by the Pfizer-BioNTech collaboration and Moderna—like others authorized for emergency use in the coronavirus pandemic—are well known and documented: They prevent symptomatic…

Boosterism could save livesPostinfection immune protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 reinfection is not fully understood. It will be devastating if waves of new variants emerge that undermine natural immune…

SummaryThe startlingly poor performance revealed last week for a COVID-19 vaccine made by the German company CureVac isn't just a disappointment, it's a scientific puzzle. The company blames the rapidly changing pandemic virus. But several…