Brian Ferguson
@viropractor.bsky.social
Professor of viral immunity at Cambridge Uni, Dept of Pathology. Mainly poxviruses and innate immunity. www.fergusonlab.path.cam.ac.uk
We are hiring a computational biology postdoc for a new project on zoonotic diseases, host pathogen interactions and pandemic risk. Please take a look and get in touch for more details www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/postdoc...
Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in the Centre for Pandemic Risk Management. The Centre for Pandemic Risk Management brings together an interdisciplinary team of
www.cam.ac.uk
November 16, 2025 at 3:19 PM
We are hiring a computational biology postdoc for a new project on zoonotic diseases, host pathogen interactions and pandemic risk. Please take a look and get in touch for more details www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/postdoc...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
Avian flu has decimated world's largest breeding colony of southern elephant seals www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influe...
Avian flu has decimated world's largest breeding colony of southern elephant seals
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 14, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Avian flu has decimated world's largest breeding colony of southern elephant seals www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influe...
Anti-vax in the tweets, fully-vaxed between the sheets
The Trump administration has been spreading anti-vaccine propaganda for months. Tonight, Trump's physician announced he just received a flu shot and a COVID booster.
October 11, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Anti-vax in the tweets, fully-vaxed between the sheets
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
This is huge: “A drug that provides near-perfect protection against H.I.V. with shots just twice a year will be made available at $40 per patient annually in low- and middle-income countries, offering new hope… making lenacapavir a realistic choice in countries with constrained resources.”
Philanthropies Strike a Promising Deal to Turn Back H.I.V.
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
This is huge: “A drug that provides near-perfect protection against H.I.V. with shots just twice a year will be made available at $40 per patient annually in low- and middle-income countries, offering new hope… making lenacapavir a realistic choice in countries with constrained resources.”
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
New online: Computational design of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins
Computational design of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Published online: 12 September 2025; doi:10.1038/s41594-025-01669-4The authors develop a computational method to design small DNA-binding proteins (DBPs) that target specific sequences. Designed DBPs show structural accuracy and function in both bacterial and mammalian cells for transcriptional regulation.
go.nature.com
September 12, 2025 at 10:29 AM
New online: Computational design of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
Our first post on here and it's a doozy 😍🤩. Our epic piece on #sarbecovirus host range. #virology #sars2 #covid #vaccines. Enjoy and please repost. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Understanding the future risk of bat coronavirus spillover into humans: correlating sarbecovirus receptor usage, host range, and antigenicity.
Sarbecoviruses interact with their receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), via the receptor binding domain (RBD) of Spike, the immunodominant target for neutralising antibodies. Understandin...
www.biorxiv.org
September 9, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Our first post on here and it's a doozy 😍🤩. Our epic piece on #sarbecovirus host range. #virology #sars2 #covid #vaccines. Enjoy and please repost. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
Hi everybody! I am super excited to share the work done during my PhD published in @nature today! We describe a new mechanism of self- vs. non-self RNA discrimination by showing how N-glycans shield glycoRNAs from stimulating endosomal RNA sensors www.nature.com/articles/s41...
RNA N-glycosylation enables immune evasion and homeostatic efferocytosis - Nature
N-glycans on glycoRNAs prevent innate immune sensing of endogenous small RNAs, and the natural mechanism they use demonstrates how glycoRNAs exist on the cell surface and in the endosomal network with...
www.nature.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Hi everybody! I am super excited to share the work done during my PhD published in @nature today! We describe a new mechanism of self- vs. non-self RNA discrimination by showing how N-glycans shield glycoRNAs from stimulating endosomal RNA sensors www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
Excised DNA circles from V(D)J recombination promote relapsed leukaemia
Cutting your own DNA has a risk of leukaemia.
www.nature.com/artic...
1/7
Cutting your own DNA has a risk of leukaemia.
www.nature.com/artic...
1/7
Excised DNA circles from V(D)J recombination promote relapsed leukaemia
Nature - Excised signal circles are circular DNA by-products of V(D)J recombination that form a complex with the V(D)J recombinase, and when increased in abundance, result in increased mutagenesis,...
www.nature.com
August 7, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Excised DNA circles from V(D)J recombination promote relapsed leukaemia
Cutting your own DNA has a risk of leukaemia.
www.nature.com/artic...
1/7
Cutting your own DNA has a risk of leukaemia.
www.nature.com/artic...
1/7
‘The doses of rAAV used in clinical trials for DMD have ranged from 5×10^13 to 2×10^14 vector genomes (vg) per kilogram of body weight. After treatment with doses within this range, a number of toxic syndromes have been observed’ www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
July 26, 2025 at 1:16 PM
‘The doses of rAAV used in clinical trials for DMD have ranged from 5×10^13 to 2×10^14 vector genomes (vg) per kilogram of body weight. After treatment with doses within this range, a number of toxic syndromes have been observed’ www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
Research Associate in Viral #Immunology ✨ University of Bristol -School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
#Applynow
www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
* #Hiring* ! Research Jobs: Golden Opportunity!
#PhD & #Postdoc Latest Updates: jobnewstimes.com/phd-postdoc/
#UKJOBS #BiologicalSciences
#Applynow
www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
* #Hiring* ! Research Jobs: Golden Opportunity!
#PhD & #Postdoc Latest Updates: jobnewstimes.com/phd-postdoc/
#UKJOBS #BiologicalSciences
July 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Research Associate in Viral #Immunology ✨ University of Bristol -School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
#Applynow
www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
* #Hiring* ! Research Jobs: Golden Opportunity!
#PhD & #Postdoc Latest Updates: jobnewstimes.com/phd-postdoc/
#UKJOBS #BiologicalSciences
#Applynow
www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
* #Hiring* ! Research Jobs: Golden Opportunity!
#PhD & #Postdoc Latest Updates: jobnewstimes.com/phd-postdoc/
#UKJOBS #BiologicalSciences
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
**JOBS ALERT**
The Virology Unit at @PasteurCambodia
hiring 1 Scientist and 2 Postdocs to join our fast-moving, field-connected, research-driven team on emerging viruses and zoonoses.
🧪🧬🥼🦠🔬🐓💉🦇😷
Limited time to apply — and we need people to start ASAP.**👇
The Virology Unit at @PasteurCambodia
hiring 1 Scientist and 2 Postdocs to join our fast-moving, field-connected, research-driven team on emerging viruses and zoonoses.
🧪🧬🥼🦠🔬🐓💉🦇😷
Limited time to apply — and we need people to start ASAP.**👇
July 11, 2025 at 12:28 AM
**JOBS ALERT**
The Virology Unit at @PasteurCambodia
hiring 1 Scientist and 2 Postdocs to join our fast-moving, field-connected, research-driven team on emerging viruses and zoonoses.
🧪🧬🥼🦠🔬🐓💉🦇😷
Limited time to apply — and we need people to start ASAP.**👇
The Virology Unit at @PasteurCambodia
hiring 1 Scientist and 2 Postdocs to join our fast-moving, field-connected, research-driven team on emerging viruses and zoonoses.
🧪🧬🥼🦠🔬🐓💉🦇😷
Limited time to apply — and we need people to start ASAP.**👇
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
***JOB OFFER***
The Protein Design and Modeling lab at IBMB offers a postdoc position at the intersection of computational protein design, biophysics and structural biology. Please share with colleagues and anyone you know that might be interested.
ibmb.csic.es/en/jobs/post...
The Protein Design and Modeling lab at IBMB offers a postdoc position at the intersection of computational protein design, biophysics and structural biology. Please share with colleagues and anyone you know that might be interested.
ibmb.csic.es/en/jobs/post...
July 11, 2025 at 8:49 AM
***JOB OFFER***
The Protein Design and Modeling lab at IBMB offers a postdoc position at the intersection of computational protein design, biophysics and structural biology. Please share with colleagues and anyone you know that might be interested.
ibmb.csic.es/en/jobs/post...
The Protein Design and Modeling lab at IBMB offers a postdoc position at the intersection of computational protein design, biophysics and structural biology. Please share with colleagues and anyone you know that might be interested.
ibmb.csic.es/en/jobs/post...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
The "reproducibility crisis" in science constantly makes headlines. Repro efforts are often limited. What if you could assess reproducibility of an entire field?
That's what @brunolemaitre.bsky.social et al. have done. Fly immunity is highly replicable & offers lessons for #metascience
A 🧵 1/n
That's what @brunolemaitre.bsky.social et al. have done. Fly immunity is highly replicable & offers lessons for #metascience
A 🧵 1/n
July 10, 2025 at 8:23 AM
The "reproducibility crisis" in science constantly makes headlines. Repro efforts are often limited. What if you could assess reproducibility of an entire field?
That's what @brunolemaitre.bsky.social et al. have done. Fly immunity is highly replicable & offers lessons for #metascience
A 🧵 1/n
That's what @brunolemaitre.bsky.social et al. have done. Fly immunity is highly replicable & offers lessons for #metascience
A 🧵 1/n
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
Microglial cGAS-STING-TBK1 activation in paraventricular thalamus mediates sleep and emotional disturbances in lupus mice www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
July 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Microglial cGAS-STING-TBK1 activation in paraventricular thalamus mediates sleep and emotional disturbances in lupus mice www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
ICYMI: Junior PI positions in Kyoto at @ccii-kyoto.bsky.social, a new center led by Tasuku Honjo (DIrector) & Sidonia Fagarasan (Vice Director)
#Immunology #Immunotherapy #ScienceJobs
#Immunology #Immunotherapy #ScienceJobs
Our streamlined Junior PI application process asks you to submit:
a cover letter;
a research plan;
a current curriculum vitae;
brief narrative summary of your main research achievements;
Contact information for three references
#Immunology #Immunotherapy
www.ccii.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/careers-e...
a cover letter;
a research plan;
a current curriculum vitae;
brief narrative summary of your main research achievements;
Contact information for three references
#Immunology #Immunotherapy
www.ccii.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/careers-e...
July 1, 2025 at 10:04 PM
ICYMI: Junior PI positions in Kyoto at @ccii-kyoto.bsky.social, a new center led by Tasuku Honjo (DIrector) & Sidonia Fagarasan (Vice Director)
#Immunology #Immunotherapy #ScienceJobs
#Immunology #Immunotherapy #ScienceJobs
Super cool long lasting ADC-based anti-flu drug with great new trial data: 'CD388 is an antibody that targets neuraminidase (NA). Zanamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, is conjugated to the Fc fragment to create CD388' biz.chosun.com/en/en-scienc...
Cidara's CD388 flu drug outperforms vaccines, shows 76% prevention rate
Cidaras CD388 flu drug outperforms vaccines, shows 76% prevention rate Cidaras new flu treatment shows promise as a single-dose alternative to vaccines with strong results.
biz.chosun.com
June 25, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Super cool long lasting ADC-based anti-flu drug with great new trial data: 'CD388 is an antibody that targets neuraminidase (NA). Zanamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, is conjugated to the Fc fragment to create CD388' biz.chosun.com/en/en-scienc...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
Honoured to receive this prize alongside an inspiring group of scientists. This will support our work to improve mRNA therapies for precision medicine. #mRNA #immunoSky #Science
We are very proud to introduce our brand new 2025 #ListerFellows! This year there are eight Prize recipients. lister-institute.org.uk/a-warm-welco...
June 19, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Honoured to receive this prize alongside an inspiring group of scientists. This will support our work to improve mRNA therapies for precision medicine. #mRNA #immunoSky #Science
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
Weizmann Institute rn
June 15, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Weizmann Institute rn
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
#drosophila @flybase.bsky.social request emergency funding:
"As it stands, by the end of July, 2025, there will be no future updates to FlyBase, and in the worst case scenario access to the website will also be lost" => please donate!
www.philanthropy.cam.ac.uk/give-to-camb...
"As it stands, by the end of July, 2025, there will be no future updates to FlyBase, and in the worst case scenario access to the website will also be lost" => please donate!
www.philanthropy.cam.ac.uk/give-to-camb...
Drosophila Genetic Database
The Drosophila Genetic Database, FlyBase, is on the brink of collapse due to the sudden termination of the FlyBase NIH grant, which includes salaries for 5 literature curators based at the University ...
www.philanthropy.cam.ac.uk
June 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
#drosophila @flybase.bsky.social request emergency funding:
"As it stands, by the end of July, 2025, there will be no future updates to FlyBase, and in the worst case scenario access to the website will also be lost" => please donate!
www.philanthropy.cam.ac.uk/give-to-camb...
"As it stands, by the end of July, 2025, there will be no future updates to FlyBase, and in the worst case scenario access to the website will also be lost" => please donate!
www.philanthropy.cam.ac.uk/give-to-camb...
Good fun to contribute to this super paper from Yorgo Modis' lab where we looked at the impact of disease-associated MDA5 mutations on its structure, biochemistry and antiviral functions #immunosky www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Molecular basis of autoimmune disease protection by MDA5 variants
Loss-of-function MDA5 variants increase the risk of chronic inflammation but protect
against autoimmune disease. Singh et al. show that autoimmune-protective variants
impair MDA5 signaling via differe...
www.cell.com
May 31, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Good fun to contribute to this super paper from Yorgo Modis' lab where we looked at the impact of disease-associated MDA5 mutations on its structure, biochemistry and antiviral functions #immunosky www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
This is cool! #Immunology 🧪
The subfornical organ is a nucleus for gut-derived T cells that regulate behavior @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
May 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
This is cool! #Immunology 🧪
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
I've been yelling for a while about how imprinting is not the problem with our immune responses to Omicron, and the issue is much more about the intrinsic immunogenicity of Omicron's spike protein (which is poor). This freshly published study provides pretty definitive proof of that 🧵
Intrinsic immunogenicity is a major determinant of type-specific responses in SARS-CoV-2 infections - Nature Immunology
Bhattacharya and colleagues assess the impact of antigenic imprinting using samples from mRNA vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals primarily infected with the SARS-CoV-2 variants Delta and Omicron B...
www.nature.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I've been yelling for a while about how imprinting is not the problem with our immune responses to Omicron, and the issue is much more about the intrinsic immunogenicity of Omicron's spike protein (which is poor). This freshly published study provides pretty definitive proof of that 🧵
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
The final piece in a 27-year fly immunity puzzle.
Yao describes "Paillotin" (Pai), the name given to #Drosophila "IM18." With this paper, all 24 Immune-induced Molecules (IMs) from Uttenweiler-Joseph et al. (1998) have been named & characterized. 🎊
Pai is an HDP conserved across fly 🪰 species
1/n
Yao describes "Paillotin" (Pai), the name given to #Drosophila "IM18." With this paper, all 24 Immune-induced Molecules (IMs) from Uttenweiler-Joseph et al. (1998) have been named & characterized. 🎊
Pai is an HDP conserved across fly 🪰 species
1/n
Functional Characterization of Paillotin: An Immune Peptide Regulated by the Imd Pathway with Pathogen-Specific Roles in Drosophila Immunity
Insects, such as Drosophila melanogaster, rely on innate immune defenses to combat microbial threats. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play an important role in limiting pathogen entry and colonization. ...
www.biorxiv.org
May 15, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The final piece in a 27-year fly immunity puzzle.
Yao describes "Paillotin" (Pai), the name given to #Drosophila "IM18." With this paper, all 24 Immune-induced Molecules (IMs) from Uttenweiler-Joseph et al. (1998) have been named & characterized. 🎊
Pai is an HDP conserved across fly 🪰 species
1/n
Yao describes "Paillotin" (Pai), the name given to #Drosophila "IM18." With this paper, all 24 Immune-induced Molecules (IMs) from Uttenweiler-Joseph et al. (1998) have been named & characterized. 🎊
Pai is an HDP conserved across fly 🪰 species
1/n
‘The results from this study suggest that many, if not all, of the reported associations between HLA alleles and SARS-CoV-2 infection may be spurious, owing to confounding factors.’
🚨 Association between #HLA #genetics and #SARS-CoV-2 #infection in a large #real-#world #cohort
👉 #genes & #immunity @springernature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
👉 #genes & #immunity @springernature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Association between HLA genetics and SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large real-world cohort - Genes & Immunity
Genes & Immunity - Association between HLA genetics and SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large real-world cohort
www.nature.com
April 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
‘The results from this study suggest that many, if not all, of the reported associations between HLA alleles and SARS-CoV-2 infection may be spurious, owing to confounding factors.’
Reposted by Brian Ferguson
"Immune signaling through nucleotide-based second messengers is a widespread defense mechanism observed across organisms, from bacteria to animals. Zeng et al. discovered a base-modified nucleotide, deoxyinosine 5′-triphosphate (dITP), that acts as an antiviral immune signal in bacteria"
#Immunology
#Immunology
Base-modified nucleotides mediate immune signaling in bacteria
Signaling from pathogen sensing to effector activation is a fundamental principle of cellular immunity. Whereas cyclic (oligo)nucleotides have emerged as key signaling molecules, the existence of othe...
www.science.org
April 26, 2025 at 9:43 AM
"Immune signaling through nucleotide-based second messengers is a widespread defense mechanism observed across organisms, from bacteria to animals. Zeng et al. discovered a base-modified nucleotide, deoxyinosine 5′-triphosphate (dITP), that acts as an antiviral immune signal in bacteria"
#Immunology
#Immunology