Jarel Elgin Tolentino
@jarelelgin.bsky.social
PhD student at the University of Tokyo | 🇵🇭 🦠
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Our paper on the role of #SARSCoV2 NSP3 in stress granule control is now out in JVI.
Reposting our original BioRXIV thread on the summary.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Reposting our original BioRXIV thread on the summary.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
January 14, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Our paper on the role of #SARSCoV2 NSP3 in stress granule control is now out in JVI.
Reposting our original BioRXIV thread on the summary.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Reposting our original BioRXIV thread on the summary.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Serine protease-driven entry and S2′ cleavage flexibility of feline coronavirus during feline enterocyte infections
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
Serine protease-driven entry and S2′ cleavage flexibility of feline coronavirus during feline enterocyte infections
Author summary Like many viruses, the common feline coronavirus (FCoV) relies on the host replication machinery to infect intestinal cells. Our study revealed how it works: FCoV exploits intestinal en...
journals.plos.org
January 12, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Serine protease-driven entry and S2′ cleavage flexibility of feline coronavirus during feline enterocyte infections
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
New preprint! We had a look at the codon and dinucleotide usage of rabies clades that circulate in specific host species, and found some interesting differences, particularly between carnivore- and bat-associated clades 👀
Coauthors on bluesky: @jdushoff.bsky.social @matt-arnold-bio.bsky.social
Coauthors on bluesky: @jdushoff.bsky.social @matt-arnold-bio.bsky.social
Differences in codon usage between host-species-specific rabies virus clades are driven by UpA and purine content
Viral genes sometimes use certain codons more than others due to their nucleotide content, translational efficiency, and selection pressure from the host immune system. The rabies virus (RABV) is a ne...
www.biorxiv.org
January 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
New preprint! We had a look at the codon and dinucleotide usage of rabies clades that circulate in specific host species, and found some interesting differences, particularly between carnivore- and bat-associated clades 👀
Coauthors on bluesky: @jdushoff.bsky.social @matt-arnold-bio.bsky.social
Coauthors on bluesky: @jdushoff.bsky.social @matt-arnold-bio.bsky.social
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
New preprint led by our MSc student Wenye Li!! 🎉
@systemsvirology.bsky.social
What we find is a historic genetic interplay between sarbecoviruses and their horseshoe bat hosts' ACE2 receptor! 🦇 🧵...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@systemsvirology.bsky.social
What we find is a historic genetic interplay between sarbecoviruses and their horseshoe bat hosts' ACE2 receptor! 🦇 🧵...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Genetic diversity in horseshoe bat ACE2 and sarbecovirus spike proteins mutually shape one another
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) serves as the entry receptor for a wide diversity of sarbecoviruses naturally harboured by horseshoe bats (genus Rhinolophus ). Despite the extensive circulation...
www.biorxiv.org
December 20, 2025 at 4:41 AM
New preprint led by our MSc student Wenye Li!! 🎉
@systemsvirology.bsky.social
What we find is a historic genetic interplay between sarbecoviruses and their horseshoe bat hosts' ACE2 receptor! 🦇 🧵...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@systemsvirology.bsky.social
What we find is a historic genetic interplay between sarbecoviruses and their horseshoe bat hosts' ACE2 receptor! 🦇 🧵...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Molecular insights into species-specific ACE2 recognition of coronavirus HKU5 | Nature Communications www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Molecular insights into species-specific ACE2 recognition of coronavirus HKU5 - Nature Communications
This study reveals how the bat coronavirus HKU5 recognizes ACE2 receptors across mammals and birds, uncovering a cross-class receptor usage in coronaviruses and highlighting its potential for interspe...
www.nature.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Molecular insights into species-specific ACE2 recognition of coronavirus HKU5 | Nature Communications www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
A recombinant strain of mpox virus has been isolated from a patient in the UK containing fragments of clade I and clade II virus. Recombination occurs when two strains of virus infect a cell. These events tend to be rare but are well described in poxviruses.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
England health officials identify newly evolved variant of mpox
Virus caught by person who travelled to Asia combines more severe form of mpox with less virulent type
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:47 PM
A recombinant strain of mpox virus has been isolated from a patient in the UK containing fragments of clade I and clade II virus. Recombination occurs when two strains of virus infect a cell. These events tend to be rare but are well described in poxviruses.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
France: "Two cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been confirmed in France in individuals who recently returned from travel abroad"
MERS-CoV mainly spreads from camels in the Arabian Peninsula. Human transmission occurs in healthcare but community spread is rare.
MERS-CoV mainly spreads from camels in the Arabian Peninsula. Human transmission occurs in healthcare but community spread is rare.
France confirms 2 MERS coronavirus cases in returning travelers
Two cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been confirmed in France in individuals who recently returned from travel abroad, according to the French Ministry of Health. ...
bnonews.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:23 AM
France: "Two cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been confirmed in France in individuals who recently returned from travel abroad"
MERS-CoV mainly spreads from camels in the Arabian Peninsula. Human transmission occurs in healthcare but community spread is rare.
MERS-CoV mainly spreads from camels in the Arabian Peninsula. Human transmission occurs in healthcare but community spread is rare.
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Nature research paper: Dated gene duplications elucidate the evolutionary assembly of eukaryotes
go.nature.com/4azJDF8
go.nature.com/4azJDF8
Dated gene duplications elucidate the evolutionary assembly of eukaryotes - Nature
Analysis of eukaryotic gene sequences using a relaxed molecular clock methodology indicate that eukaryotes emerged 3.0–2.25 billion years ago as a result of mitochondrial endosymbiosis with complex archaea that already possessed an elaborated cytoskeleton, membrane trafficking, endomembrane, phagocytotic machinery and a nucleus.
go.nature.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Nature research paper: Dated gene duplications elucidate the evolutionary assembly of eukaryotes
go.nature.com/4azJDF8
go.nature.com/4azJDF8
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Big congrats to Matt Turnbull @samjwilsonphd.bsky.social and all co-authors!! 🎉🎉
New paper in @science.org showing how the interaction between flu PB1 and host ANP32A control how flu can replicate in higher body temperatures! 🦆🦆🦆
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
New paper in @science.org showing how the interaction between flu PB1 and host ANP32A control how flu can replicate in higher body temperatures! 🦆🦆🦆
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Avian-origin influenza A viruses tolerate elevated pyrexic temperatures in mammals
Host body temperature can define a virus’s replicative profile—influenza A viruses (IAVs) adapted to 40° to 42°C in birds are less temperature sensitive in vitro compared with human isolates adapted t...
www.science.org
December 3, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Big congrats to Matt Turnbull @samjwilsonphd.bsky.social and all co-authors!! 🎉🎉
New paper in @science.org showing how the interaction between flu PB1 and host ANP32A control how flu can replicate in higher body temperatures! 🦆🦆🦆
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
New paper in @science.org showing how the interaction between flu PB1 and host ANP32A control how flu can replicate in higher body temperatures! 🦆🦆🦆
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Nature research paper: Ancient DNA from Shimao city records kinship practices in Neolithic China
go.nature.com/3Ms3A6M
go.nature.com/3Ms3A6M
Ancient DNA from Shimao city records kinship practices in Neolithic China - Nature
Sequencing of 144 ancient genomes from Shimao city and its satellites presents pedigrees among tomb owners spanning up to four generations showing predominantly patrilineal descent structure across Shimao communities, and possibly sex-specific sacrificial rituals.
go.nature.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Nature research paper: Ancient DNA from Shimao city records kinship practices in Neolithic China
go.nature.com/3Ms3A6M
go.nature.com/3Ms3A6M
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
🚨New Paper!🚨
Some like it hot: Matt Turnbull and @samjwilsonphd.bsky.social collaborated with groups from @cvrinfo.bsky.social, @cam.ac.uk and beyond to show that, while our fevers are hot enough to control human flu, they don't protect against avian influenzas adaptd to the hotter bodies of birds
Some like it hot: Matt Turnbull and @samjwilsonphd.bsky.social collaborated with groups from @cvrinfo.bsky.social, @cam.ac.uk and beyond to show that, while our fevers are hot enough to control human flu, they don't protect against avian influenzas adaptd to the hotter bodies of birds
Avian-origin influenza A viruses tolerate elevated pyrexic temperatures in mammals
Host body temperature can define a virus’s replicative profile—influenza A viruses (IAVs) adapted to 40° to 42°C in birds are less temperature sensitive in vitro compared with human isolates adapted t...
www.science.org
November 28, 2025 at 9:15 AM
🚨New Paper!🚨
Some like it hot: Matt Turnbull and @samjwilsonphd.bsky.social collaborated with groups from @cvrinfo.bsky.social, @cam.ac.uk and beyond to show that, while our fevers are hot enough to control human flu, they don't protect against avian influenzas adaptd to the hotter bodies of birds
Some like it hot: Matt Turnbull and @samjwilsonphd.bsky.social collaborated with groups from @cvrinfo.bsky.social, @cam.ac.uk and beyond to show that, while our fevers are hot enough to control human flu, they don't protect against avian influenzas adaptd to the hotter bodies of birds
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Rafflesia hasseltii: a plant seen more by tigers than people. Watching this flower open by night was the closest thing to magic:
November 19, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Rafflesia hasseltii: a plant seen more by tigers than people. Watching this flower open by night was the closest thing to magic:
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Some archaea—an ancient group of microorganisms—have an entirely novel genetic code, according to a new study in Science.
The findings expand our understanding of how alternative genetic codes evolve and hint at new molecular tools for biotechnology applications. https://scim.ag/4omApQ7
The findings expand our understanding of how alternative genetic codes evolve and hint at new molecular tools for biotechnology applications. https://scim.ag/4omApQ7
An archaeal genetic code with all TAG codons as pyrrolysine
Multiple genetic codes developed during the evolution of eukaryotes and bacteria, yet no alternative genetic code is known for archaea. We used proteomics to confirm our prediction that certain archae...
scim.ag
November 25, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Some archaea—an ancient group of microorganisms—have an entirely novel genetic code, according to a new study in Science.
The findings expand our understanding of how alternative genetic codes evolve and hint at new molecular tools for biotechnology applications. https://scim.ag/4omApQ7
The findings expand our understanding of how alternative genetic codes evolve and hint at new molecular tools for biotechnology applications. https://scim.ag/4omApQ7
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
A new preprint from our group on control of stress granules (SGs) by #SARSCoV2.
Working with Jakob Nilsson's group, we identified key residues in SARS2 NSP3 critical for binding FMRP proteins & disrupting SGs formation.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Working with Jakob Nilsson's group, we identified key residues in SARS2 NSP3 critical for binding FMRP proteins & disrupting SGs formation.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Key residues in SARS-CoV-2 NSP3 hyper variable region are necessary to modulate early stress granule activity.
Antagonism of the host responses that limits viral replication is critical to the success of infection. Recently, we identified that the hypervariable region (HVR) of SARS-CoV-2 NSP3 binds to FXR1 and...
www.biorxiv.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:57 PM
A new preprint from our group on control of stress granules (SGs) by #SARSCoV2.
Working with Jakob Nilsson's group, we identified key residues in SARS2 NSP3 critical for binding FMRP proteins & disrupting SGs formation.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Working with Jakob Nilsson's group, we identified key residues in SARS2 NSP3 critical for binding FMRP proteins & disrupting SGs formation.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Very sad. Apparently the patient was someone with comorbidities that placed them at higher risk of a bad outcome. At a time when the threat of new pandemic is higher that ever we need our public health and surveillance systems strengthened not dismantled.
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
1st human known to be infected with H5N5 strain of bird flu dies, Washington state officials say
The first human to have ever been infected with H5N5 strain of bird flu has died, Washington state health officials confirmed late Friday.
www.linkedin.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Very sad. Apparently the patient was someone with comorbidities that placed them at higher risk of a bad outcome. At a time when the threat of new pandemic is higher that ever we need our public health and surveillance systems strengthened not dismantled.
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
www.linkedin.com/redir/redire...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
#NatMicroPicks
Cracking the code of Yellow Fever Virus entry! 🔑🧪
YFV uses multiple LDL receptor family members, including LRP4, LRP1, and VLDLR, as entry receptors, offering new targets for antiviral strategies
#MicroSky #VirusSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Cracking the code of Yellow Fever Virus entry! 🔑🧪
YFV uses multiple LDL receptor family members, including LRP4, LRP1, and VLDLR, as entry receptors, offering new targets for antiviral strategies
#MicroSky #VirusSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Multiple LDLR family members act as entry receptors for yellow fever virus - Nature
The low-density lipoprotein receptor family members LRP1, LRP4 and VLDLR are entry receptors for yellow fever virus.
www.nature.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:46 PM
#NatMicroPicks
Cracking the code of Yellow Fever Virus entry! 🔑🧪
YFV uses multiple LDL receptor family members, including LRP4, LRP1, and VLDLR, as entry receptors, offering new targets for antiviral strategies
#MicroSky #VirusSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Cracking the code of Yellow Fever Virus entry! 🔑🧪
YFV uses multiple LDL receptor family members, including LRP4, LRP1, and VLDLR, as entry receptors, offering new targets for antiviral strategies
#MicroSky #VirusSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Important advice for every PhD student: The importance of stupidity in scientific research
I can still remember how stupid I often felt during my PhD. And I can observe my PhD students struggling with the same feeling. I find it helpful to understand that stupidity usually comes before discovery.
I can still remember how stupid I often felt during my PhD. And I can observe my PhD students struggling with the same feeling. I find it helpful to understand that stupidity usually comes before discovery.
September 17, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Important advice for every PhD student: The importance of stupidity in scientific research
I can still remember how stupid I often felt during my PhD. And I can observe my PhD students struggling with the same feeling. I find it helpful to understand that stupidity usually comes before discovery.
I can still remember how stupid I often felt during my PhD. And I can observe my PhD students struggling with the same feeling. I find it helpful to understand that stupidity usually comes before discovery.
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Marburg virus outbreak: Six deaths confirmed in Ethiopia www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Marburg virus outbreak: Six deaths confirmed in Ethiopia
www.bmj.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Marburg virus outbreak: Six deaths confirmed in Ethiopia www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
A few py2Dmol updates 🧬
py2dmol.solab.org
Integration with AlphaFoldDB (will auto fetch results). Drag and drop results from AF3-server or ColabFold for interactive experience! (1/4)
py2dmol.solab.org
Integration with AlphaFoldDB (will auto fetch results). Drag and drop results from AF3-server or ColabFold for interactive experience! (1/4)
November 19, 2025 at 8:15 AM
A few py2Dmol updates 🧬
py2dmol.solab.org
Integration with AlphaFoldDB (will auto fetch results). Drag and drop results from AF3-server or ColabFold for interactive experience! (1/4)
py2dmol.solab.org
Integration with AlphaFoldDB (will auto fetch results). Drag and drop results from AF3-server or ColabFold for interactive experience! (1/4)
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
"Looking back, that season taught me lessons I’ll hold forever. I learned to ask for help without shame and lean on my support system of friends and classmates. Most importantly, I learned to keep sight of why I came here in the first place." #ScienceWorkingLife https://scim.ag/49lcqwR
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 PM
"Looking back, that season taught me lessons I’ll hold forever. I learned to ask for help without shame and lean on my support system of friends and classmates. Most importantly, I learned to keep sight of why I came here in the first place." #ScienceWorkingLife https://scim.ag/49lcqwR
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Coronaviral nsp6 hijacks ERAD machinery to facilitate lipolysis and supply membrane components for DMV growth
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Coronaviral nsp6 hijacks ERAD machinery to facilitate lipolysis and supply membrane components for DMV growth - Nature Communications
Here the authors show how coronaviruses use host lipid metabolism and ER-associated degradation pathways to form double-membrane vesicles (DMVs) essential for RNA replication, demonstrating that the v...
www.nature.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Coronaviral nsp6 hijacks ERAD machinery to facilitate lipolysis and supply membrane components for DMV growth
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Jarel Elgin Tolentino
Guess the news is officially out! Extremely excited to announce that I will be starting my own laboratory at Institut Pasteur @pasteur.fr this coming spring!
Slight change to my office window view from Tokyo Tower🗼 to the Tour Eiffel. 🇫🇷
Slight change to my office window view from Tokyo Tower🗼 to the Tour Eiffel. 🇫🇷
November 15, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Guess the news is officially out! Extremely excited to announce that I will be starting my own laboratory at Institut Pasteur @pasteur.fr this coming spring!
Slight change to my office window view from Tokyo Tower🗼 to the Tour Eiffel. 🇫🇷
Slight change to my office window view from Tokyo Tower🗼 to the Tour Eiffel. 🇫🇷