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There are limited approaches to monitor virus spread in vivo. Here, the authors report PET/CT-based in vivo imaging to track SARS-CoV-2 biodistribution in a COVID-19 non-human primate model using a radiolabeled human antibody revealing persistent detection in the lung and brain 3 months after infection.

Repurposed antiviral drugs present as a valuable resource in the defence during outbreaks, with rigorous evaluation in large animal models keys for translation to clinical implementation. Here, the authors explore the antiviral activity of favipiravir against Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2 in cynomolgus macaques, in order to support future clinical investigations into this RNA polymerase inhibitor.

Hydroxychloroquine did not confer protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection or reduce the viral load after infection in macaques; these findings do not support the use of hydroxychloroquine as an antiviral drug treatment of COVID-19 in humans.

Enhancing thermogenesis is a promising therapeutic strategy for promoting metabolic health. Here the authors show that adipocyte-secreted BMP8b contributes to optimizing the thermogenic response by remodeling of the neuro-vascular networks in brown and white adipose tissue.

There is a requirement for improved adjuvants to improve responses to vaccines, including adjuvants that induce Th17 cells. Here, the authors use a MINCLE and TLR9 agonist-based vaccine adjuvant and show induction of Th17 and mucosal immune responses to vaccine recall antigens in mice and non-human primate models of vaccination.

Genomic analysis of Plasmodium DNA from 36 ancient individuals provides insight into the global distribution and spread of malaria-causing species during around 5,500 years of human history.

Monoclonal antibodies show great promise in treating Covid-19 patients. Here, Maisonnasse, Aldon and colleagues report pre-clinical results for COVA1-18 and demonstrate that it reduces viral infectivity in three animal models with over 95% efficacy in macaques upper respiratory tract.

Latin Americans trace their ancestry to the admixture of Native Americans, Europeans and Sub-Saharan Africans. Here, the authors develop a novel haplotype-based approach and analyse over 6,500 Latin Americans to infer the geographically-detailed genetic structure of this population.

Huot et al. show that interferon-γ (IFN-γ) regulates the persistence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in bronchoalveolar macrophages from cynomolgus macaques up to 18 months postinfection.

NK cells control SIV infection in secondary lymphoid tissues in the natural host that typically doesn’t progress toward disease. Here the authors show that this control is associated with terminal NK cell differentiation and improved MHC-E-dependent activity lacking in pathogenic SIV infection.

In this study, Marlin et al. provide insights into the potential use of subunit vaccines that induce a high level of protection against SARS-CoV-2 in animal models.

The switch from glucose- to fatty acid-dependent metabolism in cardiomyocytes of newborn mice is governed by γ-linolenic acid in maternal milk, which binds to retinoid X receptors, thereby causing a transcription-dependent metabolic transition.

The shape of the pinna varies widely in the general human population but the genetic basis of this variation is unknown. Here Adhikari et al. conduct a genome-wide association study in Latin Americans and discover seven gene regions influencing pinna morphology, including EDAR and TBX15.

By examining Latin American individuals of mixed European, Native American and African ancestry, Adhikari et al. identify novel loci influencing various features of facial and scalp hair. The study also provides experimental evidence that one of the implicated genes (PRSS53) is expressed in the hair follicle and that the top associated variant alters processing of this enzyme.

Pigmentation variation in humans is influenced by complex genetic architecture in different populations. Here, the authors perform a genome-wide association analysis involving > 6,000 Latin Americans for pigmentation of skin and eyes, and identify known and novel genetic associations.

Humans show great diversity in facial appearance and this variation is highly heritable. Here, Andres Ruiz-Linares and colleagues examined facial features in admixed Latin Americans and identify genome-wide associations for 14 facial traits, including four gene loci (RUNX2, GLI3, DCHS2 and PAX1) influencing nose morphology.

As phase 1 of the Earth Microbiome Project, analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA sequences from more than 27,000 environmental samples delivers a global picture of the basic structure and drivers of microbial distribution.

Galhaut et al. evaluate the immunogenicity and efficacy of an inactivated whole virus COVID-19 vaccine in animal models. VLA2001 adjuvanted with alum and CpG 1018 generates polyfunctional Th1 cell responses and specific neutralizing antibodies to several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and protects macaques from viral replication and inflammation.

Neanderthal-derived variants in the SCN9A gene (encoding the voltage gated sodium channel, Nav1.7) are associated with enhanced experimental mechanical pain sensitivity in modern humans.

A genome-wide association study and fully automatic landmarking approach on frontal 2D face photographs of >6000 Latin Americans identifies novel genomic regions influencing facial features and implicates Neanderthal introgression in nasal shape.

Differences between pathogenic and non-pathogenic SIV infections are investigated, in terms of NK cell location, function and IgA responses in gut associated lymphoid tissues (mesenteric lymph nodes, jejunum, ileon, colon).