Sam J Wilson
@samjwilsonphd.bsky.social
Virologist. Professor. Cambridge, UK
https://www.immunology.cam.ac.uk/staff/professor-sam-wilson
https://tinyurl.com/samjwilsonscholar
https://www.immunology.cam.ac.uk/staff/professor-sam-wilson
https://tinyurl.com/samjwilsonscholar
Pinned
Sam J Wilson
@samjwilsonphd.bsky.social
· Nov 27
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...
www.science.org
How does fever work?
Our new Science paper shows how elevated body temperature can protect against severe influenza and that avian-origin viruses escape this defence.
This is likely one reason why bird flus and some pandemic influenzas can be so severe.🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Our new Science paper shows how elevated body temperature can protect against severe influenza and that avian-origin viruses escape this defence.
This is likely one reason why bird flus and some pandemic influenzas can be so severe.🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
🧪Why a fatal ‘black fungus’ struck India during the #COVID-19 pandemic | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Why a fatal ‘black fungus’ struck India during the COVID-19 pandemic
Mucormycosis may be triggered by low levels of albumin, the most common blood protein
www.science.org
January 10, 2026 at 6:52 PM
🧪Why a fatal ‘black fungus’ struck India during the #COVID-19 pandemic | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
The magic of the cup! Is this the biggest upset ever? Macclesfield (117 places below the cup holders Palace) knock Palace out of the cup. Amazing!
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Macclesfield 2-1 Crystal Palace: Non-league side stun holders
Non-league Macclesfield produce one of the greatest shocks in FA Cup history by knocking out holders and Premier League side Crystal Palace - who are 117 league places above them.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 2:38 PM
The magic of the cup! Is this the biggest upset ever? Macclesfield (117 places below the cup holders Palace) knock Palace out of the cup. Amazing!
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Open #postdoc fellowship in my group. Virus replication and cryo-ET. Projects can be tailored to ambitious candidates with diverse backgrounds, so don't hold back from applying! DM for more info.
Deadline 8 Feb. Apply here:
umustipendie.varbi.com/en/what:job/...
#virus #virology #teamtomo #cryoEM
Deadline 8 Feb. Apply here:
umustipendie.varbi.com/en/what:job/...
#virus #virology #teamtomo #cryoEM
January 9, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
We've a computational PhD project available AI-DRIVEN DISCOVERY OF VIRUS–HOST MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvl... as part of the University of Glasgow's MVLS Futures Themes PhD Programme. Deadline for applications is this Monday, 12th Jan 2026. Please apply!
University of Glasgow - Colleges - College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences - MVLS Graduate School - PhD Research Opportunities - College Futures Themes PhD Programme - Projects - Fundamentals o...
www.gla.ac.uk
January 7, 2026 at 11:08 PM
We've a computational PhD project available AI-DRIVEN DISCOVERY OF VIRUS–HOST MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvl... as part of the University of Glasgow's MVLS Futures Themes PhD Programme. Deadline for applications is this Monday, 12th Jan 2026. Please apply!
This piece covers our mouse study on avian flu and fever resistance. Thanks to Sophie Kevany for the thoughtful and accurate reporting.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
A study in mice finds avian flu shares trait with the viruses behind some of the worst pandemics, but more research in humans is needed. Sophie Kevany reports:
Bird Flu Virus Might Resist Fever, Study in Mice Finds
A study in mice finds avian flu shares trait with the viruses behind some of the worst pandemics, but more research in humans is needed.
buff.ly
January 5, 2026 at 10:14 PM
This piece covers our mouse study on avian flu and fever resistance. Thanks to Sophie Kevany for the thoughtful and accurate reporting.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Happy New Year!
We are looking for a postdoc with computational expertise to join our group. Deadline for application is 13th January.
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
#newjob #postdoc #vascularbiology #atherosclerosis #cellplasticitycontrol #functionalgenomics #cellheterogeneity
We are looking for a postdoc with computational expertise to join our group. Deadline for application is 13th January.
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
#newjob #postdoc #vascularbiology #atherosclerosis #cellplasticitycontrol #functionalgenomics #cellheterogeneity
Research Associate (Fixed Term)
Postdoctoral Research Associate in vascular cell plasticity and translation (single-cell and omics) (Fixed Term) We invite applicants for a postdoc position (Research Associate) for a project in Dr
www.cam.ac.uk
January 5, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Happy New Year!
We are looking for a postdoc with computational expertise to join our group. Deadline for application is 13th January.
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
#newjob #postdoc #vascularbiology #atherosclerosis #cellplasticitycontrol #functionalgenomics #cellheterogeneity
We are looking for a postdoc with computational expertise to join our group. Deadline for application is 13th January.
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
#newjob #postdoc #vascularbiology #atherosclerosis #cellplasticitycontrol #functionalgenomics #cellheterogeneity
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
🚨 PhD Opportunity 🚨
Investigating the immunobiology of TB/CMV interactions with Rajko Reljic and myself ;
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Informal enquiries to Rajko
Deadline 2nd Feb 2026
Pls RT!!!
Investigating the immunobiology of TB/CMV interactions with Rajko Reljic and myself ;
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Informal enquiries to Rajko
Deadline 2nd Feb 2026
Pls RT!!!
Cellular and molecular basis of human CMV subversion of immunity in tuberculosis at City St George’s, University of London on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Cellular and molecular basis of human CMV subversion of immunity in tuberculosis at City St George’s, University of London, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:29 PM
🚨 PhD Opportunity 🚨
Investigating the immunobiology of TB/CMV interactions with Rajko Reljic and myself ;
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Informal enquiries to Rajko
Deadline 2nd Feb 2026
Pls RT!!!
Investigating the immunobiology of TB/CMV interactions with Rajko Reljic and myself ;
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Informal enquiries to Rajko
Deadline 2nd Feb 2026
Pls RT!!!
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Sometimes, viruses don't have to be the bad guys...
Sometimes we can use one to treat another!
Chuffed to present excellent work from Dr Samantha Garcia-Cardenas showing how the innate immune system can be "rewired" by a benign Reovirus to eliminate SARS2 infection.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Sometimes we can use one to treat another!
Chuffed to present excellent work from Dr Samantha Garcia-Cardenas showing how the innate immune system can be "rewired" by a benign Reovirus to eliminate SARS2 infection.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Oncolytic Reovirus mediates innate-driven SARS-CoV-2 elimination in the absence of cell toxicity
Interplay between type I interferon (IFN) driven innate responses and viral antagonism strongly influences SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the COVID-19 disease course. Hence, variant adaptation includes d...
www.biorxiv.org
December 19, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Sometimes, viruses don't have to be the bad guys...
Sometimes we can use one to treat another!
Chuffed to present excellent work from Dr Samantha Garcia-Cardenas showing how the innate immune system can be "rewired" by a benign Reovirus to eliminate SARS2 infection.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Sometimes we can use one to treat another!
Chuffed to present excellent work from Dr Samantha Garcia-Cardenas showing how the innate immune system can be "rewired" by a benign Reovirus to eliminate SARS2 infection.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Come and join us at Imperial College to work a project looking at mechanisms in Long Covid and ME/CFS
We're looking for:
A keen, experienced Research Nurse
A gifted molecular immunologist with a strong bioinformatics background
www.imperial.ac.uk/.../descript....
www.imperial.ac.uk/.../descript....
We're looking for:
A keen, experienced Research Nurse
A gifted molecular immunologist with a strong bioinformatics background
www.imperial.ac.uk/.../descript....
www.imperial.ac.uk/.../descript....
www.imperial.ac.uk
December 18, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Come and join us at Imperial College to work a project looking at mechanisms in Long Covid and ME/CFS
We're looking for:
A keen, experienced Research Nurse
A gifted molecular immunologist with a strong bioinformatics background
www.imperial.ac.uk/.../descript....
www.imperial.ac.uk/.../descript....
We're looking for:
A keen, experienced Research Nurse
A gifted molecular immunologist with a strong bioinformatics background
www.imperial.ac.uk/.../descript....
www.imperial.ac.uk/.../descript....
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
My paper is out! Uncovering hundreds of exogenous and endogenous RNA viral RdRp sequences amongst uncharacterised sequences in public protein databases. doi.org/10.1093/ve/v... 💻🧬 1/5 🧵
October 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM
My paper is out! Uncovering hundreds of exogenous and endogenous RNA viral RdRp sequences amongst uncharacterised sequences in public protein databases. doi.org/10.1093/ve/v... 💻🧬 1/5 🧵
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Latest article from Rebecca Youle in Taylor lab at Crick in collaboration with Chad Swanson and my labs on the enzymatic activity of KHNYN, cofactor for ZAP
It is a highly active endoribonuclease with cleavage site preferences and an absolute dependence on manganese
Latest article from Rebecca Youle in Taylor lab at Crick in collaboration with Chad Swanson and my labs on the enzymatic activity of KHNYN, cofactor for ZAP
It is a highly active endoribonuclease with cleavage site preferences and an absolute dependence on manganese
KHNYN is a manganese-dependent endoribonuclease required for ZAP-mediated antiviral restriction
Abstract. Zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) is a cytoplasmic protein central to host innate immunity to viral infection. ZAP has no intrinsic catalytic a
academic.oup.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:26 PM
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Latest article from Rebecca Youle in Taylor lab at Crick in collaboration with Chad Swanson and my labs on the enzymatic activity of KHNYN, cofactor for ZAP
It is a highly active endoribonuclease with cleavage site preferences and an absolute dependence on manganese
Latest article from Rebecca Youle in Taylor lab at Crick in collaboration with Chad Swanson and my labs on the enzymatic activity of KHNYN, cofactor for ZAP
It is a highly active endoribonuclease with cleavage site preferences and an absolute dependence on manganese
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Nice to see our study led by Kevin Groen included in the 2025 ‘Best of JEM’. We dissected the mechanisms by which pathogenic autoantibodies block IFN-I function and used the information to design decoy molecules that might form the basis for future therapies.
rupress.org/jem/article/...
rupress.org/jem/article/...
December 17, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Nice to see our study led by Kevin Groen included in the 2025 ‘Best of JEM’. We dissected the mechanisms by which pathogenic autoantibodies block IFN-I function and used the information to design decoy molecules that might form the basis for future therapies.
rupress.org/jem/article/...
rupress.org/jem/article/...
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Dear colleagues - the international meeting on arboviruses and their vectors planned in Hamburg, Germany for 2026, is going to be moved to Liverpool instead. Logistical reasons beyond our control necessitated this move. Still the same dates- see you on Merseyside!
December 18, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Dear colleagues - the international meeting on arboviruses and their vectors planned in Hamburg, Germany for 2026, is going to be moved to Liverpool instead. Logistical reasons beyond our control necessitated this move. Still the same dates- see you on Merseyside!
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Brilliant news!
December 16, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Brilliant news!
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Apologies to @samjwilsonphd.bsky.social who had a beautiful paper on febrile temperature and avian flu replication come out after this was in press: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
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...
www.science.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Apologies to @samjwilsonphd.bsky.social who had a beautiful paper on febrile temperature and avian flu replication come out after this was in press: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Put a perspective piece together on how fever may have driven the evolution of antiviral genes: rupress.org/jem/article/...
Does fever drive the evolution of antiviral genes? | Journal of Experimental Medicine | Rockefeller University Press
Fever is an evolutionary conserved response to pathogens. In this Perspective, Langlois hypothesizes that antiviral genes are selected for their function a
rupress.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Put a perspective piece together on how fever may have driven the evolution of antiviral genes: rupress.org/jem/article/...
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
🐔 New report: Avian influenza surveillance in Europe (2024)
EU + 9 non-EU countries monitored virus spread.
✅ 218K+ samples from 27K+ poultry farms
✅ 43K+ wild birds tested, 1,317 HPAI detections
Includes mammal data for the first time.
Read more: link.europa.eu/CYjVQN
#AvianFlu #H5N1
EU + 9 non-EU countries monitored virus spread.
✅ 218K+ samples from 27K+ poultry farms
✅ 43K+ wild birds tested, 1,317 HPAI detections
Includes mammal data for the first time.
Read more: link.europa.eu/CYjVQN
#AvianFlu #H5N1
December 15, 2025 at 10:02 AM
🐔 New report: Avian influenza surveillance in Europe (2024)
EU + 9 non-EU countries monitored virus spread.
✅ 218K+ samples from 27K+ poultry farms
✅ 43K+ wild birds tested, 1,317 HPAI detections
Includes mammal data for the first time.
Read more: link.europa.eu/CYjVQN
#AvianFlu #H5N1
EU + 9 non-EU countries monitored virus spread.
✅ 218K+ samples from 27K+ poultry farms
✅ 43K+ wild birds tested, 1,317 HPAI detections
Includes mammal data for the first time.
Read more: link.europa.eu/CYjVQN
#AvianFlu #H5N1
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Microbiology
Come and join great students and colleagues at Hofstra Biology. Please apply using the link below and/or spread the word!
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
Come and join great students and colleagues at Hofstra Biology. Please apply using the link below and/or spread the word!
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
December 12, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Microbiology
Come and join great students and colleagues at Hofstra Biology. Please apply using the link below and/or spread the word!
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
Come and join great students and colleagues at Hofstra Biology. Please apply using the link below and/or spread the word!
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
🚨New faculty job opportunity 🚨
Please share this ad for a faculty position in our department at UC Irvine, in the fields of microbiology and infectious disease. MD/PhDs and PhDs are desired and should apply!
recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF09954
Please share this ad for a faculty position in our department at UC Irvine, in the fields of microbiology and infectious disease. MD/PhDs and PhDs are desired and should apply!
recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF09954
Pediatric Infectious Diseases/Microbiology - Professor Series (tenure track/tenure), Open Rank
University of California, Irvine is hiring. Apply now!
recruit.ap.uci.edu
December 12, 2025 at 8:55 PM
🚨New faculty job opportunity 🚨
Please share this ad for a faculty position in our department at UC Irvine, in the fields of microbiology and infectious disease. MD/PhDs and PhDs are desired and should apply!
recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF09954
Please share this ad for a faculty position in our department at UC Irvine, in the fields of microbiology and infectious disease. MD/PhDs and PhDs are desired and should apply!
recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF09954
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
So, to those who say "masks don't work", cite the flawed Cochrane report, insist upon an unfeasible RCT, accuse folks of panic, and undermine public health on social and mainstream media during a flu/RSV epidemic...
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
December 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM
So, to those who say "masks don't work", cite the flawed Cochrane report, insist upon an unfeasible RCT, accuse folks of panic, and undermine public health on social and mainstream media during a flu/RSV epidemic...
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
Interesting to see that most UK frontline healthcare workers don't get the flu jab that the Health Secretary is urging people to get.....
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
December 12, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Interesting to see that most UK frontline healthcare workers don't get the flu jab that the Health Secretary is urging people to get.....
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
In this Perspective, Ryan Langlois hypothesizes that antiviral genes are evolutionarily selected for their function at fever temperatures yet are commonly studied at basal temperatures, a potential blind spot in our understanding of antiviral gene mechanisms. rupress.org/jem/article/...
#Virology
#Virology
December 11, 2025 at 6:20 PM
In this Perspective, Ryan Langlois hypothesizes that antiviral genes are evolutionarily selected for their function at fever temperatures yet are commonly studied at basal temperatures, a potential blind spot in our understanding of antiviral gene mechanisms. rupress.org/jem/article/...
#Virology
#Virology
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
Spillover of #influenza A viruses from animals to humans represents a threat to our health. In this Perspective, Silke Stertz @virology.uzh.ch discusses emerging research that suggests some influenza A viruses can enter host cells via MHC-II receptors across species 🧪 #virology plos.io/4pP3Gnq
A new path to spillover: MHC-II entry of influenza A viruses
Spillover of influenza A viruses from animals to humans represents a threat to our health. This Perspective discusses emerging research that suggests some influenza A viruses can enter host cells via…
journals.plos.org
December 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Spillover of #influenza A viruses from animals to humans represents a threat to our health. In this Perspective, Silke Stertz @virology.uzh.ch discusses emerging research that suggests some influenza A viruses can enter host cells via MHC-II receptors across species 🧪 #virology plos.io/4pP3Gnq
Reposted by Sam J Wilson
More than 70 vultures found dead on athletic fields in Ohio. They most likely died from bird flu.
This isn't going away.
www.wlwt.com/article/dead...
This isn't going away.
www.wlwt.com/article/dead...
Dead vultures removed from Ohio school grounds; bird flu suspected
State wildlife crews removed more than 70 dead vultures from the athletic fields near St. Bernadette School on Friday, days after neighbors expressed concern from the bizarre sight.
www.wlwt.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:15 PM
More than 70 vultures found dead on athletic fields in Ohio. They most likely died from bird flu.
This isn't going away.
www.wlwt.com/article/dead...
This isn't going away.
www.wlwt.com/article/dead...