Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging tick-borne flavivirus that causes neuroinvasive disease in a subset of infected individuals, but the factors influencing disease outcome are not fully understood. We used Collaborative Cross mice to assess the impact of host genetic factors on POWV pathogenesis

We generated a Zika virus (ZIKV) vaccine candidate in a replication-inducible poxvirus vector to express ZIKV as secreted virus-like particles. Our vaccine candidate induced Envelope-specific IFN-gamma-secreting splenocytes and Envelope-specific antibodies in mice following vaccination, and protected vaccinated mice from viremia following ZIKV challenge.

Methods of generating and purifying recombinant vaccinia viruses (rVACVs) are often time-consuming and laborious. We developed a novel platform for the rapid generation of rVACVs expressing vaccine or therapeutic antigens, with or without screening markers, by simple modifications to a DNA shuttle vector, thus allowing the rapid development, updating, and refinement of personalized or custom vaccines and therapeutic vectors.