Contact information
Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics
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| Structure-based classification of paramyxoviral attachment glycoproteins reflects receptor specificity. |
Thomas Bowden
Professor of Structural Biology
Structural biology of antibodies and viral glycoproteins
Glycoproteins feature on the surface of many enveloped viruses, and as such, are attractive targets for therapeutic design. Through the application of techniques in structural biology, immunology, and cell biology, our group aims to harness knowledge of glycoprotein structure and function to inform upon the rational development of therapeutics and preventive medicines. We have a particular interest in the development and characterisation of neutralising and protective monoclonal antibodies and look to apply the insights gleaned from our biophysical studies to identify sites of vulnerability that may be targeted through rational vaccine design.
Recent publications
Structural basis for recognition of Rift Valley fever virus Gn protein by a human neutralizing monoclonal antibody with a kappa light chain.
Journal article
Paesen GC. et al, (2026), PLoS pathogens, 22
Molecular basis for occlusion of the jeilongvirus receptor-binding site by the elongated C-terminus
Journal article
Stelfox AJ. et al, (2026), mBio, 17
Structure-guided loop grafting improves expression and stability of influenza neuraminidase for vaccine development
Journal article
Rijal P. et al, (2025), eLife, 14
Structure-guided loop grafting improves expression and stability of influenza neuraminidase for vaccine development
Journal article
Rijal P. et al, (2025), eLife, 14
Structure and stabilization of the antigenic glycoprotein building blocks of the New World mammarenavirus spike complex
Journal article
Paesen GC. et al, (2025), mBio, 16
Structure and stabilization of the antigenic glycoprotein building blocks of the New World mammarenavirus spike complex
Preprint
Paesen GC. et al, (2024)
monoclonal antibody targeting the Nipah virus fusion glycoprotein apex imparts protection from disease.
Journal article
Avanzato VA. et al, (2024), Journal of virology, 98
Central tolerance shapes the neutralizing B cell repertoire against a persisting virus in its natural host.
Journal article
Florova M. et al, (2024), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 121
Crystal structure and solution state of the C-terminal head region of the narmovirus receptor binding protein
Journal article
Stelfox AJ. et al, (2023), mBio, 14
Experimental phasing opportunities for macromolecular crystallography at very long wavelengths
Journal article
El Omari K. et al, (2023), Communications Chemistry, 6
Multifunctional human monoclonal antibody combination mediates protection against Rift Valley fever virus at low doses.
Journal article
Chapman NS. et al, (2023), Nature communications, 14
Mechanistic basis for potent neutralization of Sin Nombre hantavirus by a human monoclonal antibody
Journal article
Stass R. et al, (2023), Nature Microbiology, 8, 1293 - 1303
Identification of Evolutionary Trajectories Shared across Human Betacoronaviruses
Journal article
Escalera-Zamudio M. et al, (2023), Genome Biology and Evolution, 15
VelcroVax: a "Bolt-On" Vaccine Platform for Glycoprotein Display.
Journal article
Kingston NJ. et al, (2023), mSphere, 8
Crystal structure and solution state of the C-terminal head region of the narmovirus receptor binding protein
Preprint
Stelfox AJ. et al, (2022)
Contrasting Modes of New World Arenavirus Neutralization by Immunization-Elicited Monoclonal Antibodies
Journal article
Ng WM. et al, (2022), mBio, 13
Structure of trimeric pre-fusion rabies virus glycoprotein in complex with two protective antibodies
Preprint
Ng WM. et al, (2022)
Insertion of atypical glycans into the tumor antigen-binding site identifies DLBCLs with distinct origin and behavior.
Journal article
Chiodin G. et al, (2021), Blood, 138, 1570 - 1582
Structural Basis for a Neutralizing Antibody Response Elicited by a Recombinant Hantaan Virus Gn Immunogen
Journal article
Rissanen I. et al, (2021), mBio, 12
Neutralization potency of monoclonal antibodies recognizing dominant and subdominant epitopes on SARS-CoV-2 Spike is impacted by the B.1.1.7 variant.
Journal article
Graham C. et al, (2021), Immunity, 54, 1276 - 1289.e6
Identification of evolutionary trajectories shared across human betacoronaviruses
Journal article
Escalera-Zamudio M. et al, (2021)
ntibody evasion by the P.1 strain of SARS-CoV-2
Journal article
Dejnirattisai W. et al, (2021), Cell, 184, 2939 - 2954.e9
Genomics and epidemiology of the P.1 SARS-CoV-2 lineage in Manaus, Brazil.
Journal article
Faria NR. et al, (2021), Science (New York, N.Y.), 372, 815 - 821
Genomics and epidemiology of a novel SARS-CoV-2 lineage in Manaus, Brazil.
Journal article
Faria NR. et al, (2021), medRxiv
Recent Advances in Bunyavirus Glycoprotein Research: Precursor Processing, Receptor Binding and Structure
Journal article
Hulswit RJG. et al, (2021), Viruses, 13, 353 - 353
Overcoming Symmetry Mismatch in Vaccine Nanoassembly through Spontaneous Amidation
Journal article
Rahikainen R. et al, (2021), Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 60, 321 - 330
Molecular rationale for antibody-mediated targeting of the hantavirus fusion glycoprotein
Journal article
Rissanen I. et al, (2020), eLife, 9
novel circulating tamiami mammarenavirus shows potential for zoonotic spillover.
Journal article
Moreno H. et al, (2020), PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 14
Case Study: Prolonged Infectious SARS-CoV-2 Shedding from an Asymptomatic Immunocompromised Individual with Cancer.
Journal article
Avanzato VA. et al, (2020), Cell, 183, 1901 - 1912.e9
Parallel evolution in the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses
Journal article
Escalera-Zamudio M. et al, (2020), Nature Communications, 11
Naturally Acquired Rift Valley Fever Virus Neutralizing Antibodies Predominantly Target the Gn Glycoprotein
Journal article
Wright D. et al, (2020), iScience, 23, 101669 - 101669
Identification of Common Deletions in the Spike Protein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.
Journal article
Liu Z. et al, (2020), Journal of virology, 94, e00790 - e00720
Vulnerabilities in coronavirus glycan shields despite extensive glycosylation
Journal article
Watanabe Y. et al, (2020), Nature Communications, 11
Evolutionary Dynamics of Oropouche Virus in South America
Journal article
Gutierrez B. et al, (2020), Journal of Virology, 94
key region of molecular specificity orchestrates unique ephrin-B1 utilization by Cedar virus
Journal article
Pryce R. et al, (2020), Life Science Alliance, 3, e201900578 - e201900578
Unraveling virus relationships by structure-based phylogenetic classification
Journal article
Ng WM. et al, (2020), Virus Evolution, 6
structural basis for antibody-mediated neutralization of Nipah virus reveals a site of vulnerability at the fusion glycoprotein apex.
Journal article
Avanzato VA. et al, (2019), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116, 25057 - 25067
Characterization of Antigenic MHC-Class-I-Restricted T Cell Epitopes in the Glycoprotein of Ebolavirus
Journal article
Powlson J. et al, (2019), Cell Reports, 29, 2537 - 2545.e3
structure-based rationale for sialic acid independent host-cell entry of Sosuga virus
Journal article
Stelfox AJ. and Bowden TA., (2019), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116, 21514 - 21520
Exploitation of glycosylation in enveloped virus pathobiology.
Journal article
Watanabe Y. et al, (2019), Biochimica et biophysica acta. General subjects, 1863, 1480 - 1497
Rift Valley fever: biology and epidemiology
Journal article
Wright D. et al, (2019), Journal of General Virology, 100, 1187 - 1199
The evolutionary dynamics of Oropouche Virus (OROV) in South America
Journal article
Gutierrez B. et al, (2019)
single-dose ChAdOx1-vectored vaccine provides complete protection against Nipah Bangladesh and Malaysia in Syrian golden hamsters.
Journal article
van Doremalen N. et al, (2019), PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 13
Structure-Based Classification Defines the Discrete Conformational Classes Adopted by the Arenaviral GP1
Journal article
Pryce R. et al, (2019), Journal of Virology, 93
Characterisation of antigenic MHC Class I-restricted T cell epitopes in the glycoprotein of Ebolavirus
Journal article
Powlson J. et al, (2018)
Protective Monoclonal Antibody Targets a Site of Vulnerability on the Surface of Rift Valley Fever Virus
Journal article
Allen ER. et al, (2018), Cell Reports, 25, 3750 - 3758.e4
Molecular Evolution, Diversity, and Adaptation of Influenza A(H7N9) Viruses in China
Journal article
Lu J. et al, (2018), Emerging Infectious Diseases, 24, 1795 - 1805
naturally protective epitope of limited variability as an influenza vaccine target
Journal article
Thompson CP. et al, (2018), Nature Communications, 9
dynamic three-step mechanism drives the HIV-1 pre-fusion reaction
Journal article
Iliopoulou M. et al, (2018), Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 25, 814 - 822
Parallel Evolution in the Emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A Viruses
Journal article
Escalera-Zamudio M. et al, (2018)
Structure of the Lassa virus glycan shield provides a model for immunological resistance
Journal article
Watanabe Y. et al, (2018), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115, 7320 - 7325
Shielding and activation of a viral membrane fusion protein
Journal article
Halldorsson S. et al, (2018), Nature Communications, 9
Genome-wide evolutionary dynamics of influenza B viruses on a global scale
Journal article
Langat P. et al, (2017), PLOS Pathogens, 13, e1006749 - e1006749
potent neutralizing epitope of limited variability in the head domain of haemagglutinin as a novel influenza vaccine target
Journal article
Thompson CP. et al, (2017)
Structural Transitions of the Conserved and Metastable Hantaviral Glycoprotein Envelope
Journal article
Rissanen I. et al, (2017), Journal of Virology, 91
Idiosyncratic Mòjiāng virus attachment glycoprotein directs a host-cell entry pathway distinct from genetically related henipaviruses
Journal article
Rissanen I. et al, (2017), Nature Communications, 8
Convergent immunological solutions to Argentine hemorrhagic fever virus neutralization
Journal article
Zeltina A. et al, (2017), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114, 7031 - 7036
Human antibody pieces together the puzzle of the trimeric Lassa virus surface antigen
Journal article
Zeltina A. and Bowden TA., (2017), Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 24, 559 - 560
Molecular evolution, diversity and adaptation of H7N9 influenza A viruses in China
Journal article
Lu J. et al, (2017)
10 The evolution and molecular epidemiology of epidemic GII.17 noroviruses
Other
Lu J. et al, (2017), Virus Evolution, 3
Effect of Live Poultry Market Interventions on Influenza A(H7N9) Virus, Guangdong, China
Journal article
Wu J. et al, (2016), Emerging Infectious Diseases, 22, 2104 - 2112
Cross-reactive and cross-neutralizing activity of human mumps antibodies against a novel mumps virus from bats
Journal article
Beaty SM. et al, (2016), Journal of Infectious Diseases, jiw534 - jiw534
The Evolution and Transmission of Epidemic GII.17 Noroviruses
Journal article
Lu J. et al, (2016), Journal of Infectious Diseases, 214, 556 - 564
Immune recruitment or suppression by glycan engineering of endogenous and therapeutic antibodies
Journal article
Le NPL. et al, (2016), Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects, 1860, 1655 - 1668
Toremifene interacts with and destabilizes the Ebola virus glycoprotein
Journal article
Zhao Y. et al, (2016), Nature, 535, 169 - 172
Structure of a phleboviral envelope glycoprotein reveals a consolidated model of membrane fusion
Journal article
Halldorsson S. et al, (2016), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113, 7154 - 7159
Native functionality and therapeutic targeting of arenaviral glycoproteins
Journal article
Crispin M. et al, (2016), Current Opinion in Virology, 18, 70 - 75
Molecular-Level Account of the Antigenic Hantaviral Surface
Journal article
Li S. et al, (2016), Cell Reports, 15, 959 - 967
Zika virus in the Americas: Early epidemiological and genetic findings
Journal article
Faria NR. et al, (2016), Science, 352, 345 - 349
Development of a Cost-effective Ovine Polyclonal Antibody-Based Product, EBOTAb, to Treat Ebola Virus Infection
Journal article
Dowall SD. et al, (2016), Journal of Infectious Diseases, 213, 1124 - 1133
Emerging Paramyxoviruses: Receptor Tropism and Zoonotic Potential
Journal article
Zeltina A. et al, (2016), PLOS Pathogens, 12, e1005390 - e1005390
cidic pH-Induced Conformations and LAMP1 Binding of the Lassa Virus Glycoprotein Spike
Journal article
Li S. et al, (2016), PLOS Pathogens, 12, e1005418 - e1005418
enavirus Glycan Shield Promotes Neutralizing Antibody Evasion and Protracted Infection
Journal article
Sommerstein R. et al, (2015), PLOS Pathogens, 11, e1005276 - e1005276
Glycan clustering stabilizes the mannose patch of HIV-1 and preserves vulnerability to broadly neutralizing antibodies
Journal article
Pritchard LK. et al, (2015), Nature Communications, 6
Molecular recognition of human ephrinB2 cell surface receptor by an emergent African henipavirus
Journal article
Lee B. et al, (2015), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112
Timing of Galectin-1 Exposure Differentially Modulates Nipah Virus Entry and Syncytium Formation in Endothelial Cells
Journal article
Garner OB. et al, (2015), Journal of Virology, 89, 2520 - 2529
Determination of N-linked Glycosylation in Viral Glycoproteins by Negative Ion Mass Spectrometry and Ion Mobility
Journal article
Bitto D. et al, (2015), 93 - 121
Evidence for henipavirus spillover into human populations in Africa
Journal article
Pernet O. et al, (2014), Nature Communications, 5
veraging of Viral Envelope Glycoprotein Spikes from Electron Cryotomography Reconstructions using Jsubtomo
Journal article
Huiskonen JT. et al, (2014), Journal of Visualized Experiments
Uukuniemi Phlebovirus Assembly and Secretion Leave a Functional Imprint on the Virion Glycome
Journal article
Crispin M. et al, (2014), Journal of Virology, 88, 10244 - 10251
Structural Plasticity of the Semliki Forest Virus Glycome upon Interspecies Transmission
Journal article
Crispin M. et al, (2014), Journal of Proteome Research, 13, 1702 - 1712
Crystal Structure of Venezuelan Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Fusion Glycoprotein Reveals a Class 1 Postfusion Architecture with Extensive Glycosylation
Journal article
Parsy M-L. et al, (2013), Journal of Virology, 87, 13070 - 13075
Crystal structure of sialylated IgG Fc: Implications for the mechanism of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy
Journal article
Crispin M. et al, (2013), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110
Engineering Hydrophobic Protein–Carbohydrate Interactions to Fine-Tune Monoclonal Antibodies
Journal article
Yu X. et al, (2013), Journal of the American Chemical Society, 135, 9723 - 9732
ntibodies expose multiple weaknesses in the glycan shield of HIV
Journal article
Crispin M. and Bowden TA., (2013), Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 20, 771 - 772
Orthobunyavirus Ultrastructure and the Curious Tripodal Glycoprotein Spike
Journal article
Bowden TA. et al, (2013), PLoS Pathogens, 9, e1003374 - e1003374
The evolutionary dynamics of influenza A virus adaptation to mammalian hosts
Journal article
Bhatt S. et al, (2013), Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 368, 20120382 - 20120382
Evolutionary and molecular analysis of the emergent severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus
Journal article
Lam TT-Y. et al, (2013), Epidemics, 5, 1 - 10
Chemical and Structural Analysis of an Antibody Folding Intermediate Trapped during Glycan Biosynthesis
Journal article
Bowden TA. et al, (2012), Journal of the American Chemical Society, 134, 17554 - 17563
Selective deactivation of serum IgG: A general strategy for the enhancement of monoclonal antibody receptor interactions
Journal article
Baruah K. et al, (2012), Journal of Molecular Biology, 420, 1 - 7
Cells under siege: Viral glycoprotein interactions at the cell surface
Journal article
Bowden TA. et al, (2011), Journal of Structural Biology, 175, 120 - 126
Role of Glycoproteins in Virus-Human Cell Interactions
Chapter
Bowden TA. and Fry EE., (2011), 159 - 180
Shared paramyxoviral glycoprotein architecture is adapted for diverse attachment strategies
Journal article
Bowden TA. et al, (2010), Biochemical Society Transactions, 38, 1349 - 1355
Dimeric Architecture of the Hendra Virus Attachment Glycoprotein: Evidence for a Conserved Mode of Assembly
Journal article
Bowden TA. et al, (2010), Journal of Virology, 84, 6208 - 6217
ctivation of the S−H Group in Fe(μ2-SH)Fe Clusters: S−H Bond Strengths and Free Radical Reactivity of the Fe(μ2-SH)Fe Cluster
Journal article
Franz JA. et al, (2009), Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131, 15212 - 15224
Structural Plasticity of Eph Receptor A4 Facilitates Cross-Class Ephrin Signaling
Journal article
Bowden TA. et al, (2009), Structure, 17, 1386 - 1397
Unusual Molecular Architecture of the Machupo Virus Attachment Glycoprotein
Journal article
Bowden TA. et al, (2009), Journal of Virology, 83, 8259 - 8265
Carbohydrate and Domain Architecture of an Immature Antibody Glycoform Exhibiting Enhanced Effector Functions
Journal article
Crispin M. et al, (2009), Journal of Molecular Biology, 387, 1061 - 1066
Crystal Structure and Carbohydrate Analysis of Nipah Virus Attachment Glycoprotein: a Template for Antiviral and Vaccine Design
Journal article
Bowden TA. et al, (2008), Journal of Virology, 82, 11628 - 11636
Structural basis of Nipah and Hendra virus attachment to their cell-surface receptor ephrin-B2
Journal article
Bowden TA. et al, (2008), Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 15, 567 - 572
INOR 805-S-H bond strengths and hydrogen abstraction kinetics of M(u-SH)M clusters, for M=Fe,Mo
Journal article
Lee S-J. et al, (2007), ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 234
Molecular Mechanism of Lipopeptide Presentation by CD1a
Journal article
Zajonc DM. et al, (2005), Immunity, 22, 209 - 219
Hydrothermal syntheses and crystal structures of three zinc succinates: Zn(C4H4O4)-α, Zn(C4H4O4)-β and K2Zn(C4H4O4)2
Journal article
Bowden TA. et al, (2003), Dalton Transactions, 936 - 939
