A. Ko

Genetic basis of aposematic coloration in a mimetic radiation of poison frogs

This study identifies genes underlying Mullerian mimicry in poison frogs and shows that mimicry evolved through independent selective sweeps on color and pattern loci.

MPL36, a major plasminogen (PLG) receptor in pathogenic Leptospira, has an essential role during infection

This study identifies MPL36 as a major plasminogen receptor in pathogenic Leptospira, showing its role in virulence through plasmin generation and host cell interaction.

Potentiating the cross-reactive IFN-γ T cell and polyfunctional T cell responses by heterologous GX-19N DNA booster in mice primed with either a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine or inactivated vaccine

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a DNA booster vaccine in enhancing immune responses in mice previously vaccinated with either an mRNA or inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Structural basis of flagellar filament asymmetry and supercoil templating by Leptospira spirochete sheath proteins

This study solves cryo-EM structures of Leptospira flagellar filaments, revealing how sheath proteins induce supercoiling and motility through distinct functional roles.

No evidence of fetal defects or anti-syncytin-1 antibody induction following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination

This study investigates whether COVID-19 mRNA vaccination affects pregnancy outcomes or induces anti-syncytin-1 antibodies, finding no evidence of fetal defects or increased antibody levels.

Liver Electrical Impedance Tomography for Early Identification of Fatty Infiltrate in Obesity

This study uses liver electrical impedance tomography to detect fatty infiltration in obese individuals, finding a negative correlation between EIT conductivity and MRI-measured fat fraction.

The history and evolution of the Denisovan-EPAS1 haplotype in Tibetans

The paper investigates the origin and timing of Denisovan introgression into Tibetans at the EPAS1 locus, finding an East Asian-specific introgression event around 43,000 years ago followed by selection 12,000 years ago.

Exploratory neuroimmune profiling identifies CNS-specific alterations in COVID-19 patients with neurological involvement

The paper identifies CNS-specific immune alterations in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms, suggesting neuroinvasion and anti-neural autoimmunity as potential causes.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by multiplex RT-qPCR

This paper develops a multiplex RT-qPCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 detection that uses existing primer/probe sets and reduces reagents, costs, time, and labor compared to singleplex assays.

Escape of TLR5 Recognition by Leptospira spp: A Rationale for Atypical Endoflagella

This study investigates TLR5 recognition of Leptospira spp. and finds that their flagellins are highly stable and centrally located, allowing them to evade TLR5 detection.

A Live Attenuated Vaccine Model Confers Cross-Protective Immunity Against Different Species of Leptospira spp.

The paper evaluates a live attenuated Leptospira mutant as a vaccine candidate, showing it induces cross-protective immunity against multiple Leptospira species.

Archaic adaptive introgression in TBX15/WARS2

The paper identifies an archaic adaptive introgression in the TBX15/WARS2 region in Greenlandic Inuit, showing its association with gene expression and DNA methylation changes.