C. Lapsley

Nanopore sequencing reveals that DNA replication compartmentalisation dictates genome stability and instability in Trypanosoma brucei

This study uses Nanopore sequencing to show that DNA replication compartmentalization in Trypanosoma brucei affects genome stability and instability by influencing VSG gene recombination and chromosome stability.

R-loops acted on by RNase H1 are a determinant of chromosome length-associated DNA replication timing and genome stability in Leishmania

This study shows that R-loops and RNase H1 regulate DNA replication timing and genome stability in Leishmania, linking R-loop homeostasis to chromosome size and replication order.

Genomic diversity of novel strains of mammalian gut microbiome derived Clostridium XIVa strains is driven by mobile genetic element acquisition

The paper isolates and characterizes novel Clostridium XIVa strains from the murine gut, revealing genomic diversity driven by mobile genetic element acquisition and expanded biosynthetic potential.

RAD51-mediated R-loop formation acts to repair transcription-associated DNA breaks driving antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei

This study shows RAD51 interacts with RNA-DNA hybrids and repairs DNA breaks at the transcribed VSG in T. brucei, linking RNA-DNA hybrids to antigenic variation.

Widespread roles of Trypanosoma brucei ATR in nuclear genome function and transmission are linked to R-loops

This study shows that ATR in Trypanosoma brucei is involved in genome maintenance, R-loop regulation, and chromosome segregation, despite DNA damage and continued cell division after ATR depletion.

Conditional knockout of RAD51-related genes in Leishmania major reveals a critical role for homologous recombination during genome replication

This study shows that RAD51 and RAD51-related proteins are critical for DNA replication in Leishmania major, with RAD51 specifically impairing DNA synthesis and origin initiation.

Genome duplication in Leishmania major relies on DNA replication outside S phase

The paper shows that Leishmania major uses DNA replication outside S phase to compensate for few origins, revealing an unconventional replication mechanism.

Trypanosoma brucei ribonuclease H2A is an essential enzyme that resolves R-loops associated with transcription initiation and antigenic variation

This study shows that TbRH2A is essential for resolving R-loops and preventing DNA damage in T. brucei, with distinct roles in RNA Pol II and Pol I transcription.

RibonucleaseH1-targeted R-loops in surface antigen gene expression sites can direct trypanosome immune evasion

This study shows RNase H1 regulates R-loop formation in Trypanosoma brucei VSG expression sites, linking R-loops to immune evasion through increased VSG coat switching and genome damage.