Kesavardan S
@keshu-vrimmch.bsky.social
Asst Professor at #Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science #IISc.
Interested in Zoonotic & H5Nx viruses, Bats/Birds, Z-RNAs, Inflammasomes & Cell death.
Interested in Zoonotic & H5Nx viruses, Bats/Birds, Z-RNAs, Inflammasomes & Cell death.
Reposted by Kesavardan S
Two complementary studies from our group out today: a therapeutic peptide vaccine trial for fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) & TIRTL-Seq, our robust method for deep quantitative paired TCR sequencing a🧵w/ @markyarchoan.bsky.social & @pogorely.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
TIRTL-seq: deep, quantitative and affordable paired TCR repertoire sequencing - Nature Methods
TIRTL-seq is a high-throughput method for paired T cell receptor sequencing at the cohort scale.
www.nature.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Two complementary studies from our group out today: a therapeutic peptide vaccine trial for fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) & TIRTL-Seq, our robust method for deep quantitative paired TCR sequencing a🧵w/ @markyarchoan.bsky.social & @pogorely.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Kesavardan S
Its taken a while, but a summary of our "enhanced surveillance" for HPAI that we undertook last spring is now on bioRxiv. Lots of cool LPAI viruses in arriving shorebirds, but no HPAI.
👉 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
👉 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 7, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Its taken a while, but a summary of our "enhanced surveillance" for HPAI that we undertook last spring is now on bioRxiv. Lots of cool LPAI viruses in arriving shorebirds, but no HPAI.
👉 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
👉 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Glad to see this research highlight in #NatureIndia on our recent work.
The current 2.3.4.4b clade #H5N1 is unusual and spreading rapidly in mammals and shows human adapting potential, a #OneHealth concern, needs more attention.
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
The current 2.3.4.4b clade #H5N1 is unusual and spreading rapidly in mammals and shows human adapting potential, a #OneHealth concern, needs more attention.
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
Cattle may serve as intermediate hosts for avian flu
Mutations get the virus ready to jump
www.nature.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Glad to see this research highlight in #NatureIndia on our recent work.
The current 2.3.4.4b clade #H5N1 is unusual and spreading rapidly in mammals and shows human adapting potential, a #OneHealth concern, needs more attention.
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
The current 2.3.4.4b clade #H5N1 is unusual and spreading rapidly in mammals and shows human adapting potential, a #OneHealth concern, needs more attention.
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
Reposted by Kesavardan S
In new study led by @ckikawa.bsky.social, we provide near real-time data on human neutralizing antibody landscape to influenza by measuring ~26,000 titers to >100 recent viral strains
Data can inform vaccine selection & evolutionary/epidemiological modeling
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Data can inform vaccine selection & evolutionary/epidemiological modeling
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Near real-time data on the human neutralizing antibody landscape to influenza virus to inform vaccine-strain selection in September 2025
The hemagglutinin of human influenza virus evolves rapidly to erode neutralizing antibody immunity. Twice per year, new vaccine strains are selected with the goal of providing maximum protection again...
www.biorxiv.org
September 8, 2025 at 9:48 PM
In new study led by @ckikawa.bsky.social, we provide near real-time data on human neutralizing antibody landscape to influenza by measuring ~26,000 titers to >100 recent viral strains
Data can inform vaccine selection & evolutionary/epidemiological modeling
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Data can inform vaccine selection & evolutionary/epidemiological modeling
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Kesavardan S
In study led by @csimonich.bsky.social & Teagan McMahon, we quantify antigenic evolution of RSV F
Important because:
1️⃣ RSV top cause of infant hospitalization in USA
2️⃣ New antibodies & vax can prevent hospitalizations
3️⃣ Will virus evolution erode their efficacy?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Important because:
1️⃣ RSV top cause of infant hospitalization in USA
2️⃣ New antibodies & vax can prevent hospitalizations
3️⃣ Will virus evolution erode their efficacy?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
RSV F evolution escapes some monoclonal antibodies but does not strongly erode neutralization by human polyclonal sera
Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies targeting the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion protein (F) have recently begun to be widely used to protect infants and high-risk adults. Some other viral pr...
www.biorxiv.org
March 12, 2025 at 10:31 PM
In study led by @csimonich.bsky.social & Teagan McMahon, we quantify antigenic evolution of RSV F
Important because:
1️⃣ RSV top cause of infant hospitalization in USA
2️⃣ New antibodies & vax can prevent hospitalizations
3️⃣ Will virus evolution erode their efficacy?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Important because:
1️⃣ RSV top cause of infant hospitalization in USA
2️⃣ New antibodies & vax can prevent hospitalizations
3️⃣ Will virus evolution erode their efficacy?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
High-throughput neutralization measurements correlate strongly with evolutionary success of human influenza strains.
@jbloomlab.bsky.social
@jbloomlab.bsky.social
In study led by @ckikawa.bsky.social & Andrea Loes, we use new assay to measure ~10,000 neutralization titers to recent influenza strains & show titers correlate w evolutionary success of viral strains
Similar data could help forecast evolution for vaccine selection
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Similar data could help forecast evolution for vaccine selection
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
High-throughput neutralization measurements correlate strongly with evolutionary success of human influenza strains
Human influenza viruses rapidly acquire mutations in their hemagglutinin (HA) protein that erode neutralization by antibodies from prior exposures. Here, we use a sequencing-based assay to measure neu...
www.biorxiv.org
March 13, 2025 at 8:42 AM
High-throughput neutralization measurements correlate strongly with evolutionary success of human influenza strains.
@jbloomlab.bsky.social
@jbloomlab.bsky.social
Reposted by Kesavardan S
ABSTRACT submission for the 20th International Bat Research Conference (IBRC) is now OPEN.
Please consider submitting an abstract to the BAT COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY symposium that I am hosting. I hope to meet some of you at the meeting. Please SHARE within your network.
www.ibrc.org/symposia.html
Please consider submitting an abstract to the BAT COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY symposium that I am hosting. I hope to meet some of you at the meeting. Please SHARE within your network.
www.ibrc.org/symposia.html
Symposia
The 20th IBRC will have a range of symposia on topical subjects for bat research, conservation and management, organised by leaders in the respective fields.
www.ibrc.org
March 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
ABSTRACT submission for the 20th International Bat Research Conference (IBRC) is now OPEN.
Please consider submitting an abstract to the BAT COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY symposium that I am hosting. I hope to meet some of you at the meeting. Please SHARE within your network.
www.ibrc.org/symposia.html
Please consider submitting an abstract to the BAT COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY symposium that I am hosting. I hope to meet some of you at the meeting. Please SHARE within your network.
www.ibrc.org/symposia.html
Reposted by Kesavardan S
Great walk through of all the knowns and unknowns of the current HPAI outbreak in US dairy cattle with a focus on both the cattle, but also human pandemic risk.
👉 journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
👉 journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
March 6, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Great walk through of all the knowns and unknowns of the current HPAI outbreak in US dairy cattle with a focus on both the cattle, but also human pandemic risk.
👉 journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
👉 journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Reposted by Kesavardan S
The epidemiology and evolution of H3N2 canine influenza virus in dogs over 20 years. Lead by @brianrwasik.bsky.social shows that spread is determined by the dog population structure. The virus has not become better at transmitting in dogs after 1000s of transfers. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40040347/
March 7, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The epidemiology and evolution of H3N2 canine influenza virus in dogs over 20 years. Lead by @brianrwasik.bsky.social shows that spread is determined by the dog population structure. The virus has not become better at transmitting in dogs after 1000s of transfers. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40040347/
This perspective provides a great discussion of H5N1 emergence
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
March 3, 2025 at 10:56 AM
This perspective provides a great discussion of H5N1 emergence
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Why did 2.3.4.4b clade #H5N1 need a long stalk N1, unlike the previous clades H5N1s?
We identified the emergence of 2.3.4.4b #H5 HA with a distinct #glycosylation pattern in its RBD that drove its preferential pairing with long stalk N1 and the emergence of this novel variant.
We identified the emergence of 2.3.4.4b #H5 HA with a distinct #glycosylation pattern in its RBD that drove its preferential pairing with long stalk N1 and the emergence of this novel variant.
March 3, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Why did 2.3.4.4b clade #H5N1 need a long stalk N1, unlike the previous clades H5N1s?
We identified the emergence of 2.3.4.4b #H5 HA with a distinct #glycosylation pattern in its RBD that drove its preferential pairing with long stalk N1 and the emergence of this novel variant.
We identified the emergence of 2.3.4.4b #H5 HA with a distinct #glycosylation pattern in its RBD that drove its preferential pairing with long stalk N1 and the emergence of this novel variant.
Why did the 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 become a #panzootic virus? Given its unprecedented spread, it's important to ask this Qstn.
We reported last year, 2.3.4.4b H5N1 features long stalk N1, unlike prev clades. All mammals infected with H5N1 after 2020 (also B3.13&D1.1) show long stalk N1.
We reported last year, 2.3.4.4b H5N1 features long stalk N1, unlike prev clades. All mammals infected with H5N1 after 2020 (also B3.13&D1.1) show long stalk N1.
March 3, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Why did the 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 become a #panzootic virus? Given its unprecedented spread, it's important to ask this Qstn.
We reported last year, 2.3.4.4b H5N1 features long stalk N1, unlike prev clades. All mammals infected with H5N1 after 2020 (also B3.13&D1.1) show long stalk N1.
We reported last year, 2.3.4.4b H5N1 features long stalk N1, unlike prev clades. All mammals infected with H5N1 after 2020 (also B3.13&D1.1) show long stalk N1.
Inflammatory cells death comes as an important process determining tissue damage and inflammation. We attempted to explain how this contributes to viral tolerance in bats🦇 Fantastic working with @virology.bsky.social in this discussion. Superb contribution by Subham, Disha, Priyansh&Rita.
February 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Inflammatory cells death comes as an important process determining tissue damage and inflammation. We attempted to explain how this contributes to viral tolerance in bats🦇 Fantastic working with @virology.bsky.social in this discussion. Superb contribution by Subham, Disha, Priyansh&Rita.
Reposted by Kesavardan S
In a new study led by Caelan Radford, we use deep mutational scanning to systematically compare the escape mutations from two broadly neutralizing antibodies in a clade A versus clade B HIV Envelope.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Comprehensive maps of escape mutations from antibodies 10-1074 and 3BNC117 for Envs from two divergent HIV strains
Antibodies capable of neutralizing many strains of HIV are being explored as prophylactic and therapeutic agents, but viral escape mutations pose a major challenge. Efforts have been made to experimen...
www.biorxiv.org
January 31, 2025 at 9:31 PM
In a new study led by Caelan Radford, we use deep mutational scanning to systematically compare the escape mutations from two broadly neutralizing antibodies in a clade A versus clade B HIV Envelope.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Four lessons COVID taught us about the immune system.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Four lessons COVID taught us about the immune system
In the midst of pandemic upheaval, researchers have gained fundamental insights about how the body fends off infections.
www.nature.com
January 28, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Four lessons COVID taught us about the immune system.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
📢 I'll be hosting Jack Aunty & Kesavardana Sannula in the next InflammaZoom seminar series on Monday 20th Jan at 8am GMT, 1:30pm IST, 7pm AEDT. Register here:
@keshu-vrimmch.bsky.social
events.abcam.com/event/Inflam...
@keshu-vrimmch.bsky.social
events.abcam.com/event/Inflam...
January 16, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Reposted by Kesavardan S
📢 I'll be hosting Jack Aunty & Kesavardana Sannula in the next InflammaZoom seminar series on Monday 20th Jan at 8am GMT, 1:30pm IST, 7pm AEDT. Register here:
@keshu-vrimmch.bsky.social
events.abcam.com/event/Inflam...
@keshu-vrimmch.bsky.social
events.abcam.com/event/Inflam...
January 16, 2025 at 8:24 AM
📢 I'll be hosting Jack Aunty & Kesavardana Sannula in the next InflammaZoom seminar series on Monday 20th Jan at 8am GMT, 1:30pm IST, 7pm AEDT. Register here:
@keshu-vrimmch.bsky.social
events.abcam.com/event/Inflam...
@keshu-vrimmch.bsky.social
events.abcam.com/event/Inflam...
Reposted by Kesavardan S
The reason H5N1 is a problem is because there's too much restriction on gain of function research? GTFO.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Why scientists say we are fighting H5N1 bird flu with one hand tied behind our backs
When, where and how the H5N1 bird flu virus may evolve and its capacity to spark a pandemic is hard to predict — in part, some researchers say, because of federal restrictions on gain-of-function rese...
www.latimes.com
December 24, 2024 at 1:23 PM
The reason H5N1 is a problem is because there's too much restriction on gain of function research? GTFO.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
How bat-origin pathogenic viruses manipulate human cell death and inflammation.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
How bat-origin pathogenic viruses manipulate human cell death and inflammation
Study offers insights into cell death regulation by viruses like SARS-CoV-2, and how bats and humans respond differently to tricks that such viruses use to manipulate the host’s defense
www.eurekalert.org
December 19, 2024 at 4:33 AM
How bat-origin pathogenic viruses manipulate human cell death and inflammation.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
Reposted by Kesavardan S
Just published - pandemic influenza PB1 genes of avian origin reduce polymerase activity and virulence in low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Insights into host adaptation and zoonotic risk.
www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1...
www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1...
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.
www.science.org
December 14, 2024 at 5:28 PM
Just published - pandemic influenza PB1 genes of avian origin reduce polymerase activity and virulence in low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Insights into host adaptation and zoonotic risk.
www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1...
www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1...
Reposted by Kesavardan S
🚨Just out: SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro regulates caspase activation of gasdermin-D/E pores leading to secretion and extracellular activity of 3CLpro. #OverallLab #LZCI #LoveVirology #CellDeath
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro (main protease) regulates caspase activation of gasdermin-D/E pores leading to secretion and extracellular activity of 3CLpro
SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease (3CLpro or Mpro) cleaves the SARS-CoV-2 polyprotein and >300 intracellular host proteins to enhance viral replication. By …
www.sciencedirect.com
December 13, 2024 at 6:46 PM
🚨Just out: SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro regulates caspase activation of gasdermin-D/E pores leading to secretion and extracellular activity of 3CLpro. #OverallLab #LZCI #LoveVirology #CellDeath
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Kesavardan S
In Uruguay, Sept-Dec 2023: 2713 stranded pinnipeds (S. American SeaLion, S. American Fur Seals); 92.4% were dead, including 80 aborted fetuses. Live animals w clinical signs: tremors, convulsions, extreme weakness.
👉https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v160/p65-74/
👉https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v160/p65-74/
December 3, 2024 at 12:24 AM
In Uruguay, Sept-Dec 2023: 2713 stranded pinnipeds (S. American SeaLion, S. American Fur Seals); 92.4% were dead, including 80 aborted fetuses. Live animals w clinical signs: tremors, convulsions, extreme weakness.
👉https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v160/p65-74/
👉https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v160/p65-74/
Our recent work: Identified #viralRHIMs in RNA viruses originated from #bats, including SARS-CoV-2. The RHIM in SARS-CoV-2 #Nsp13 shows distinct cell death regulation in bat and human cells. Also, associated with Z-RNA sensing and #ZBP1-RIPK3 signaling.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
Bat RNA viruses employ viral RHIMs orchestrating species-specific cell death programs linked to Z-RNA sensing and ZBP1-RIPK3 signaling
RHIM is a protein motif facilitating the assembly of large signaling complexes triggering
regulated cell death. A few DNA viruses employ viral RHIMs mimicking host RHIMs and
counteract cell death by i...
www.cell.com
November 22, 2024 at 2:14 PM
Our recent work: Identified #viralRHIMs in RNA viruses originated from #bats, including SARS-CoV-2. The RHIM in SARS-CoV-2 #Nsp13 shows distinct cell death regulation in bat and human cells. Also, associated with Z-RNA sensing and #ZBP1-RIPK3 signaling.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
Reposted by Kesavardan S
I’ve updated SARSCoV2 RBD antibody-escape calculator w new deep mutational scanning data of Yunlong Cao & Fanchong Jian.
My interpretation: antigenic evolution currently constrained by pleiotropic effects of mutations on RBD-ACE2 affinity, RBD up-down position & antibody neutralization
My interpretation: antigenic evolution currently constrained by pleiotropic effects of mutations on RBD-ACE2 affinity, RBD up-down position & antibody neutralization
November 21, 2024 at 11:22 PM
I’ve updated SARSCoV2 RBD antibody-escape calculator w new deep mutational scanning data of Yunlong Cao & Fanchong Jian.
My interpretation: antigenic evolution currently constrained by pleiotropic effects of mutations on RBD-ACE2 affinity, RBD up-down position & antibody neutralization
My interpretation: antigenic evolution currently constrained by pleiotropic effects of mutations on RBD-ACE2 affinity, RBD up-down position & antibody neutralization
Reposted by Kesavardan S
🚨Latest from the group: Viral susceptibility and innate immune competency of Carollia perspicillata bat cells produced for virological studies.
We came together to generate more tools and reagents to study bats. 👇🏾 @jangralab.bsky.social @fviromics.bsky.social #LZCI
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We came together to generate more tools and reagents to study bats. 👇🏾 @jangralab.bsky.social @fviromics.bsky.social #LZCI
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Viral susceptibility and innate immune competency of Carollia perspicillata bat cells produced for virological studies
Multiple viruses that are highly pathogenic in humans are known to have evolved in bats. How bats tolerate infection with these viruses, however, is poorly understood. As viruses engage in a wide rang...
www.biorxiv.org
November 20, 2024 at 1:44 PM
🚨Latest from the group: Viral susceptibility and innate immune competency of Carollia perspicillata bat cells produced for virological studies.
We came together to generate more tools and reagents to study bats. 👇🏾 @jangralab.bsky.social @fviromics.bsky.social #LZCI
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We came together to generate more tools and reagents to study bats. 👇🏾 @jangralab.bsky.social @fviromics.bsky.social #LZCI
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...