Stephanie L. Williams

Stephanie L. Williams

@stephlwilliams.bsky.social

Virologist | Emerging RNA viruses | Influenza A viruses| Zoonosis| NIH-Oxford University Scholar | DPhil Candidate Taubenberger & @Fodorlab | Views are my own.

63 followers36 following12 posts

Stephanie L. Williams
@stephlwilliams.bsky.social

Very happy to have been able to contribute to this study that was published today in Science, which was truly a great collaborative effort. Avian PB1 provides a fitness advantage to IAV at febrile-range temperatures both in vitro and a hyperthermic nouse model 🦠 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #flu

science.orgAvian-origin influenza A viruses tolerate elevated pyrexic temperatures in mammalsHost 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...

Stephanie L. Williams reposted

Kristian G. Andersen
@kgandersen.bsky.social

In 2019, NIAID proposed an ambitious scientific network focused on pandemic preparedness, research, and response - the "CREID Network". Ten centers kicked off just as the pandemic was taking off, playing critical roles throughout. We were just notified the whole network is terminated. Reason? 👇

Stephanie L. Williams reposted

Thelonevirologist
@thelonevirologist.bsky.social

ANP32 proteins from ticks and vertebrates are key host factors for replication of Bourbon virus across species journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

journals.asm.orgANP32 proteins from ticks and vertebrates are key host factors for replication of Bourbon virus across species | Journal of VirologyViral polymerases rely on cellular cofactors to support efficient transcription of viral genes and replication of the viral genome. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of influenza virus, an orthomyxovir...
Stephanie L. Williams
@stephlwilliams.bsky.social

Everything in this article rings true. The vagueness of this EO and the proposed ramifications are unsettling. Any GoF regulations must be clear and explicit, otherwise all infectious disease research could be in limbo. The consequence? Public health. This is disappointing and, sadly, unsurprising.

Kai Kupferschmidt@kakape.bsky.social

There are still a lot of questions swirling around the executive order on "dangerous gain-of-function" research that Trump signed yesterday. I've written up for @science.org what we know so far and what it might mean for infectious disease research. #IDsky 🧪 www.science.org/content/arti...

science.orgTrump moves to tighten rules on risky research on viruses, bacteria, and toxinsExecutive order on gain-of-function experiments could chill research on infectious diseases, scientists say
Stephanie L. Williams
@stephlwilliams.bsky.social

This bill could dismantle virology research. Please follow this informative thread to see why this is concerning for the field as a whole. It also makes me worried about what jobs I’ll be able to find post-graduation. Also, hate seeing influenza listed first this document…

Kristian G. Andersen@kgandersen.bsky.social

It is worth paying close attention to the new bill "Dangerous Viral Gain of Function Research Moratorium Act" introduced by Senator Roger Marshall. If enacted, it will effectively stop all of virological research, including for vaccines. www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/u... 🧵👇

Stephanie L. Williams
@stephlwilliams.bsky.social

This is truly a shame and the reality of what seems to be the molding of a bleak, new age of scientific research…there’s further info on flagged words in the posted 🧵 Please share widely. (views are my own)

Darby Saxbe@darbysaxbe.bsky.social

🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.

Stephanie L. Williams
@stephlwilliams.bsky.social

Extremely interesting and equally concerning. Definitley eager to see these sequences…🦠🐄

Helen Branswell 🇨🇦@helenbranswell.bsky.social

4 dairy herds in Nevada recently diagnosed with #H5N1 #birdflu were infected with a different version of the virus than has been spreading in cows elsewhere. Evidence of a second (at a minimum) spillover points to the challenge of stopping spread, experts say. www.statnews.com/2025/02/05/u...

statnews.comUSDA milk testing shows different strain of H5N1 bird flu in Nevada dairy herdsThe USDA said four Nevada dairy herds were infected with an H5N1 bird flu strain that has circulated in wild birds, making prospects for containment in cows appear dim.

Stephanie L. Williams reposted

Tom Peacock
@peacockflu.bsky.social

Really proud to share our preprint describing early adaptation of H5N1 to US dairy cattle, and showing how these mutations enhance the ability of the virus to infect other mammals, such as pigs and humans. With @influenzal.bsky.social @vidhid.bsky.social @drclairesmith.bsky.social and many more!

biorxiv.orgPolymerase mutations underlie adaptation of H5N1 influenza virus to dairy cattle and other mammals.In early 2024, an unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza was detected in dairy cattle in the USA. The epidemic remains uncontrolled, with spillbacks into poultry, wild birds...
Stephanie L. Williams
@stephlwilliams.bsky.social

Avian origin and pandemic PB1 genes from influenza A viruses influence replication and pathogenesis in an avian influenza virus. Happy for this story to be out and thank you to my co-authors 🦠 #influenza #virology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

science.orgEffect of pandemic influenza A virus PB1 genes of avian origin on viral RNA polymerase activity and pathogenicityPast influenza pandemics contained polymerase genes from avian influenza viruses, affecting viral replication and pathogenicity.

Stephanie L. Williams reposted

Tom Peacock
@peacockflu.bsky.social

Wendy Barclay and I will soon be recruiting a postdoc to work on a virology project investigating the evolution of swine influenza viruses and how this impacts future pandemic potential. Job will be based at Imperial's South Kensington campus. Drop me a DM/email for more details.

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