Transient RNA structures play a key role in the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses! Great to see this collaboration with Mathis Funk, Mathilde Richard, Stephen Cusack, and others in @science.org www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Nature research paper: Mechanism of co-transcriptional cap snatching by influenza polymerase go.nature.com/4rTPL12

Decoding influenza virus: From polymerase mechanisms to translational therapeutics www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Cryo-EM structure reveals how influenza A virus NEP binds the viral polymerase at a regulatory hotspot, coordinating RNA synthesis and nuclear export. Fantastic collaboration with @loiccarrique.bsky.social and Jon Grimes. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Huge congratulations to Dr @danielweiriav.bsky.social, outstanding scientist and wonderful colleague, who passed his viva with flying colours today @cvrinfo.bsky.social. Next stop, on to Oxford for a postdoc with @efodor.bsky.social - we're really excited to see what you do next! 🦠🥳 #PhDone

How does fever work? Our new Science paper shows how elevated body temperature can protect against severe influenza and that avian-origin viruses escape this defence. This is likely one reason why bird flus and some pandemic influenzas can be so severe.🧵 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

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

Big welcome to @corneliusleeyh.bsky.social starting his DPhil with @achilleskap.bsky.social @kavlioxford.bsky.social & @efodor.bsky.social @dunnschool.bsky.social on influenza dynamics! Great to see this cross-disciplinary project getting underway.

Our work on influenza genome packaging using high-throughput single-virion DNA-PAINT is out in NAR! Packaging appears structurally diverse and flexible. Big thanks to Christoff & Qing (amazing effort)! A collab with @efodor.bsky.social, @nicolerobb.bsky.social academic.oup.com/nar/article/...

Our PhD studentship programme is officially open; pass it on If you are looking for a fully-funded PhD in the mechanisms underlying human disease, here are the details... Great science and a great environment! www.path.ox.ac.uk/news-article...

📣 Applications now open 📣 We are seeking outstanding ECRs looking for a stimulating and supportive environment in which to establish their research group as externally-funded fellows, in any area or cell or molecular biology underlying disease! Please share! www.path.ox.ac.uk/work-with-us...

There is still time to apply; join our team to work on influenza virus replication mechanisms!

Exciting job opportunities! Two postdoc positions are available in the Fodor Lab at @dunnschool.bsky.social to study influenza virus transcription, genome replication, nuclear export and assembly. More info: my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...

Thrilled to share that our latest manuscript using smFRET to study inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 is now out! doi.org/10.1093/nar/... Congrats and thanks to amazing co-authors and collaborators for all the hard work. @efodor.bsky.social @jeremykeown.bsky.social @andrewmcmahon1345.bsky.social

Massive congratulations to Dani from the lab who passed her PhD viva yesterday! Special thanks to her wonderful co-supervisor @efodor.bsky.social, to her examiners @davidlvbauer.bsky.social and @jeremykeown.bsky.social and to the Warwick MRC-DTP for funding her PhD! 🦠🎓🎂

Many thanks to GfV for the invitation to present our collaborative work with Jonathan Grimes' group. It's a pleasure to attend #GfV2025!

The last keynote speaker of day 2, Prof. Ervin Fordor from Oxford, presented interesting data on the multifunctionality of the RNA polymerase complex of the influenza virus. #GfV2025 (HMB)

New comment: Europe needs a sustainably funded influenza research and response network www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

First BlueSky post + a breath of fresh air! Excited about our preprint on the packaging + structure of viral RNA segments in influenza virions: doi.org/10.1101/2025.... A saga from amazing Christof and Qing, and a great collaboration with @nicolerobb.bsky.social and @efodor.bsky.social.

Happy to be part of this beautiful work using DNA-PAINT to study genome packaging in influenza 😊thanks to all co-authors @efodor.bsky.social & Christof, Achilles and Qing! Check it out here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Our study on pasteurising influenza viruses in milk is now out! It's a nice simple story: influenza viruses (including H5N1) are killed really effectively by pasteurisation, but in raw milk they stay infectious - obvious public health implications of both points... (1/2) rdcu.be/d73te

What's going on with bird flu in the UK at the moment? I wrote a piece for @uk.theconversation.com explaining what we know at the moment, and why it's not yet time to worry theconversation.com/bird-flu-cas...

We just can't stop recruiting! Associate professor in cell and molecular biology @dunnschool, with a preference for immunology, inflammation and/or infection - all defined broadly Come and be our colleague Deadline 28 Feb, please spread the word www.path.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/asso...

Excited to share this new preprint showing that non-canonical influenza virus transcripts are produced in a sequence/RNA structure-dependent manner on aberrant RNAs: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

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!

The last days of 2024 but hey: I am happy to share that our new paper is out! www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....

Delighted to hear that Andrew McMahon and Nicole Robb's study 'Engineering stress as a motivation for filamentous virus morphology,' which we and other @cvrinfo.bsky.social authors collaborated in, is now a beautiful cover image. You can read the paper here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Just published - pandemic influenza PB1 genes of avian origin reduce polymerase activity and virulence in low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Insights into host adaptation and zoonotic risk. www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1...

Excited to share our work describing a series of structures that allow us to propose a new model for Hantavirus genome replication by the viral L-protein. Another great experience with @loiccarrique.bsky.social @ben-nilsson-payant.bsky.social @efodor.bsky.social Jon Grimes. doi.org/10.1371/jour...

We have found a capped flu RNA that was hiding in plain sight. In our preprint we show how this RNA activates RIG-I through a non-canonical mechanism. Fantastic work by Liza Elshina and many thanks to collaborators @alistairrussell.bsky.social and Joe Marcotrigiano! biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

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.

There is still time to apply! Associate professor, immunity/inflammation/infection (defined broadly) especially welcome Come and join a great community of supportive colleagues! Deadline 25 October, please spread the word www.path.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/asso...

We are pleased to announce that eminent structural biologist Stephen Cusack, former head of EMBL Grenoble, has been appointed an Oxford University visiting professor @dunnschool.bsky.social www.path.ox.ac.uk/news-article...

A great opportunity for a virologist/immunologist to join a fantastic community of supportive colleagues @dunnschool.bsky.social www.path.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/asso...

From @efodor.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41... Beautiful structures explaining the story behind some mutations which are relevant at the moment for cow flu. Also, nice to see that subtle differences between the FluC and FluA structures determine which mutations make a difference.

RNA polymerase of the 1918 pandemic influenza A virus binds to the serine 5 phosphorylated C-terminal domain of host RNA polymerase II to promote viral mRNA synthesis. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Influenza virus RNA genome segments undergo a full cycle of replication in a test tube in the presence of viral RNA polymerase, viral nucleoprotein and human ANP32B, an essential host factor for influenza virus genome replication. journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...

The Dunn School at University of Oxford just can't stop recruiting! This time an Associate Prof in cell/mol biology with focus on infection, immunology, inflammation Come and join us... Please spread the word www.path.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/asso...

A fantastic postdoc opportunity with Jon Grimes at Strubi, University of Oxford, to study the molecular mechanisms of viruses using the latest cryo-ET and cryo-SIM technologies. my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...

Very glad to have been able to contribute to this study of the interplay between the influenza A virus RNA polymerase and host ANP32 proteins.