Craig Cameron Lab

Another preprint is out. This one with @xiangylab. We describe a new, sensitive assay for the CoV exonuclease. Recovery of proofreading-impaired virus variants reveals an exonuclease activity threshold for viability. biorxiv.org/content/10.648…

In addition, robust RNA unwinding was observed but formation of an unwinding competent complex instead of unwinding of dsRNA appeared to be rate limiting. This study represents a useful guide for studies of other alphavirus nsP2 proteins.

A new preprint is out. This study reports the kinetic mechanism for the Chikungunya virus nsP2-encoded ATPase and uses a an inhibitor of this activity combined with MD simulations to link structural dynamics to steps observed kinetically. biorxiv.org/content/10.648…

In @MolecularCell: RNA polymerase, the enzyme that synthesizes RNA from DNA during transcription, has been captured mid-reaction for the first time by scientists in Seth Darst's lab at Rockefeller. 🔗: bit.ly/4ur3Vaz

Insufficient bandwidth to post using the WiFi on the plane. Darn! Not sure if/when I will post now…. Sorry!

On my way back from ICAR2026. This year, it was in Prague. I was there last in 2008 and have always wanted to go back. The city did not disappoint; neither did the meeting!

Geneticist J. Craig Venter, best known for his role in sequencing the human genome, has died aged 79. He spoke to Nature in 2023 about AI, sequencing the ocean – and why he had no plans to stop working. go.nature.com/4tHEf9M

Another step towards assembly of the coronavirus replicase. In this latest report, @Dulin_Lab and collaborators demonstrate a role of the nsp13 helicase in helping the nsp12 polymerase and accessory factors address secondary structures in the RNA template. cell.com/cell-reports/f…

For decades, biology textbooks have enshrined a simple rule: DNA is made by copying a template. After one enzyme unzips a DNA double helix into separate strands, another called a polymerase builds a complementary sequence, base by base, for each strand. Presto: two copies of the original DNA. But new research into how bacteria defend themselves from viruses now shows this synthesis rule isn’t absolute. Now, a team describes a bacterial enzyme that synthesizes DNA without a nucleic acid template, using its own structure as a guide. Learn more: scim.ag/4tN5TBR

@dr_ohsopretty Congratulations!!!

Excited to be selected as a Hypothesis Fund awardee! Grateful for the support to pursue bold, early-stage ideas and ask unconventional questions about metabolism, communication, and aging. A reminder to stay curious and authentically yourself in science.

From Ella Kang…

Join us for a seminar on “The picornaviral 3C protease and its precursor 3CD: Central components to virus replication and survival” with David Boehr, Ph.D., Prof. of Chemistry, Eberly College of Science, Penn State Univ., 1131 Bioinfo., Tues., April 14, 2026, 11:00 AM

@VignuzziLab @biofadialnaji Congratulations, Fadi!

Putting this pic up again to congratulate this amazing researcher @biofadialnaji Fadi Alnaji who is taking his first steps to independence! He has had a great journey in virology studying virus mutation and recombination and reassortment across many viral families, his research interests have always been well aligned with my own and it's wonderful to have him in my group! Over the last few years, Fadi has continued to study defective viral genomes and develop them as antiviral therapies and is now the lead scientist in my team covering this exciting antiviral approach. Fadi has just secured his first grant as PI, a one-year Singapore Therapeutics Development Review translational pilot award to take his influenza virus DVG therapy to the next stage!

I ordered takeout from Sang Kee Noodle House for dinner on Wednesday. The shrimp spring rolls were the best I’ve ever had. The contents tasted like a seasoned, buttery, ground shrimp with 30 count shrimp folded in the ground shrimp mixture. I’ve found my next target for deconstruction in my kitchen. 😋

After brunch, Avery and I went to the Ruth Carter exhibition at the African American Museum. Ms. Carter is a trailblazing costume designer. I walked out amazed at the number of movies that came alive and were so memorable because of her designs. So inspirational!

We spent late Saturday afternoon at the lovely home of Squire Booker and discussed a collaboration between the three of us. I hope it comes to fruition! We ended the evening with an amazing dinner at Steak 48 (there’s one in Charlotte I’ve learned 🤗). The three of us joined the faculty of Penn State within a year or two of each other. This unintentional “cohorting” was a major contributor to my becoming a productive, impactful, independent investigator. Thank you, gentlemen! Until next year…