Valter Bergant

Abstract The innate immune system requires the activity of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) to mount its protective response against viruses. However, the activity of ISGs against viruses varies widely and is orchestrated by the interplay of hundreds of ISGs. Utilizing a time-resolved, arrayed loss-of-function screen, we systematically investigate 285 ISGs for their virus-modulating activity against eight viruses.

Abstract Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and Influenza A viruses (IAV) induce Z-form nucleic acid Binding Protein 1 (ZBP1)-initiated cell death1-8. ZBP1 is activated by Z-RNA1,7,9, and the Z-RNAs which trigger ZBP1 during HSV-1 and IAV infections were assumed to be of viral origin1. However, we show here that host cell-encoded Z-RNAs are major and sufficient ZBP1 activating ligands following infection by these two human pathogens.

Abstract The spatial organisation of RNA condensates is fundamental for understanding of basic cellular functions, but may also provide pivotal insights into diseases. One of the major challenges to understanding the role of condensates is the lack of technologies to map condensate-scale protein architecture at subcompartmental or nanoscale resolution.