TWiV 954: Speculating sarbecovirus spillovers with Michael Letko

November 13, 2022

Michael Letko joins TWiV to discuss his research on understanding cell receptors required for sarbecovirus entry, including an ACE2-dependent isolate from Russian bats that is resistant to vaccine-induced antibodies.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Rich Condit,  Kathy Spindler, and Brianne Barker

Guest: Michael Letko

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Download TWiV 954 (63 MB .mp3, 104 min)
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  • Support MicrobeTV with a Spike t-shirt (Vaccinated.us) with promo code MicrobeTV 4:55
  • Cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 and other sarbecoviruses (Nat Micro) 17:32
  • ACE2-dependent sarbecovirus in Russian bats (PLoS Path) 21:37
  • Letters read on TWiV 954 1:14:04
  • Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks!

Weekly Picks 1:31:26

BrianneSometimes This Octopus is So Mad it Just Wants to Throw Something or The Cosmic Bat Nebula
Kathy – APODs  JupiterLunar Eclipse Blood Moon, Ice Giant
Rich Mirror-image T7 transcription of chirally inverted ribosomal and functional RNAs (Wiki: Mirror Life)
VincentThe 2022-2023 Respiratory Virus Season Hits Early and Hard: Part 1

Listener Pick

DebbyCelebrate Bob McDonald’s 30 years as host of Quirks & Quarks

Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees

Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv

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4 comments on “TWiV 954: Speculating sarbecovirus spillovers with Michael Letko

  1. Peter Fox Nov 15, 2022

    Regarding Rabies infection and vaccination –

    Rabies vaccine after exposure to an infected individual will not prevent infection (and eventual death). If an individual has an exposure the medical treatment is to give Rabies Immunoglobulin. The IgG will provide protection from the active infection while vaccination does the job of preventing future infections.

    Sorry to be pedantic but the difference is very important and potentially life saving

    • Alexey Karetnikov Nov 24, 2022

      Please check your sources, Peter Fox. Post-exposure vaccination is usually highly effective in preventing the rabies disease and associated death.

    • Alexey Karetnikov Nov 24, 2022

      Never mind. Yes, immunoglobulin is given along with the first vaccine dose 🙂

  2. chris ILIFFE Nov 16, 2022

    Vincent…..as a long time listener etc etc i was interested in your reading choice of The Shape Of Water/Andrea Camillera. I just had to recommend another author in the same vane (but almost better IMHO)…that of Donna Leone and her inspector Guido Brunetti, set in Venice. Pick any title and you will read them all…….as I did.

    wishing many hours of happy reading. CHRIS ILIFFE