H. Lee

In planta-specific transcriptional regulatory circuit regulates expression of MoHTR1, a nuclear effector gene of Magnaporthe oryzae

The paper identifies an in planta-specific cis-element, IPA, that regulates the expression of the fungal effector gene MoHTR1 and other related genes, revealing its role in virulence and host immune response.

A diverse proteome is present and enzymatically active in metabolite extracts

The paper shows that metabolite extracts contain active enzymes and demonstrates a new workflow to remove proteins for improved metabolomics.

Glutamate is a key nutrient for Porphyromonas gingivalis growth and survival during intracellular autophagic life under nutritionally limited conditions

This study shows that Porphyromonas gingivalis relies on glutamate for growth and survival in intracellular autophagic vacuoles by utilizing glutamate dehydrogenase and preferentially using glutamate-glutamate dipeptide.

NRF2-dependent regulation of the prostacyclin receptor PTGIR drives CD8 T cell exhaustion

This study identifies the KEAP1-NRF2 pathway as a driver of CD8 T cell exhaustion by regulating the prostacyclin receptor PTGIR.

Netrin G1 Ligand is a new stromal immunomodulator that promotes pancreatic cancer

This paper identifies NGL-1 as a stromal immunomodulator in pancreatic cancer that promotes tumor growth by modulating the tumor microenvironment through TGF-β and transcription factor pathways.

Acoustic target strengths and swimbladder morphology of Chub mackerel Scomber japonicus in the Northwest Pacific Ocean

The paper measures acoustic target strengths and swimbladder morphology of chub mackerel to improve acoustic stock assessment in the Northwest Pacific Ocean.

Targeting phosphatase DUSP22 ameliorates skeletal muscle wasting via Akt independent JNK-FOXO3a repression

This study identifies DUSP22 as a novel target for preventing skeletal muscle wasting by repressing the JNK-FOXO3a pathway independently of Akt.

Dynamic Tracking of Native Precursors in Adult Mice

The paper develops a method to quantify hematopoietic precursors in mice, showing their contribution to both normal and perturbed hematopoiesis, and applies it to a Fanconi Anemia model.

Agrobacterium-mediated Cuscuta campestris transformation as a tool for understanding plant-plant interactions

This paper develops a stable Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol for Cuscuta campestris, enabling transgenic plant generation and insights into molecular trafficking during parasitism.

Repulsion from slow-diffusing nutrients improves chemotaxis towards moving sources

The paper shows that repulsion from slow-diffusing nutrients enhances chemotaxis towards moving nutrient sources in E. coli by combining attraction to fast-diffusing nutrients.

Sequential genetic, epigenetic alterations in human pluripotent stem cells for recurrent abnormality

The paper investigates genetic and epigenetic changes in human pluripotent stem cells during in vitro culture and identifies 20q11.21 copy number gain and epigenetic modifications as key factors in inducing culture-adapted phenotypes.

Distinct effects of priming the brain using tDCS and observational practice: new evidence from brain effective connectivity.

This study compares the effects of tDCS and observational practice on bimanual coordination, finding higher juggling scores with observation and distinct brain connectivity patterns.

Complex ecosystems lose stability when resource consumption is out of niche

The paper shows that complex ecosystems become unstable when resource consumption deviates from niche ranges, leading to alternative states and species extinction.

Disruption of redox balance in glutaminolytic triple negative breast cancer by inhibition of glutamate export and glutaminase

This study shows that inhibiting glutaminase and xCT in TNBC disrupts redox balance, enhances chemotherapy efficacy, and can be monitored non-invasively using PET.

A natural cyclic peptide valinomycin enhances plant innate immunity

This study identifies valinomycin as a natural cyclic peptide that enhances plant innate immunity by boosting pattern-triggered and effector-triggered immunity in Arabidopsis.

Interfacial morphodynamics of proliferating microbial communities

The paper develops a continuum model to study interfacial morphodynamics in microbial communities, finding that interface stability depends on cell proliferation rates and substrate friction.

Development of covalent chemogenetic K2P channel activators

This paper develops a chemogenetic method to irreversibly activate K2P channels, enabling studies of their function and potential therapeutic applications.

Exposure to aldehyde cherry e-liquid flavouring and its vape by-product disrupts pulmonary surfactant biophysical function

This study shows that benzaldehyde and its by-product, benzaldehyde propylene glycol acetal, disrupt pulmonary surfactant biophysical function by interacting with surfactant proteins SP-B and SP-C.

Sulfasalazine promotes myogenic differentiation via increasing of fast myosin heavy chain isoforms

This study shows sulfasalazine promotes myogenic differentiation by increasing fast myosin heavy chain isoforms through a metabolic shift to glycolysis in C2C12 myoblasts and improves muscle function in aged and injured mice.

Plug-and-play protein biosensors using aptamer-regulated in vitro transcription

The paper develops a modular biosensing platform using aptamer-regulated transcription to detect proteins with tunable detection ranges and diverse output responses.

Evolving Membrane-Associated Accessory Protein Variants for Improved Adeno-Associated Virus Production

This study evolves MAAP variants to enhance AAV production, finding that selected variants improve vector genome packaging in multiple AAV serotypes.

Plant-to-plant reactive oxygen signal transmission via a Cuscuta bridge

The paper shows that two plants connected by a Cuscuta bridge can exchange calcium, electric, and reactive oxygen species signals, suggesting potential benefits for plant communication.

Radial glia promote microglial development through integrin aVb8 -TGFb1 signaling

This study shows radial glia use integrin aVb8-TGFb1 signaling to promote microglial development, with disruptions causing dysmature microglia and neuromotor symptoms.

Tiny Earth CURE improves student persistence in science

This study shows that the Tiny Earth CURE improves scientific self-efficacy, identity, and persistence intentions among students, particularly those from historically excluded communities.

Resource competition can explain simplicity in microbial community assembly

This paper shows that resource competition can explain simple community assembly rules in microbial ecosystems, even when multiple species and resources are involved.

Evolutionary spread of protein L-(iso)aspartyl O-methyltransferases guides the discovery of distinct isoaspartate-containing peptides, pimtides

The paper identifies a new RiPP subclass, pimtides, by analyzing the evolutionary spread of PIMT enzymes and their role in modifying precursor peptides.

Discovery and characterization of highly potent and selective covalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro

This study identifies and characterizes two covalent PLpro inhibitors, HUP0109 and DX-027, as potential treatments for SARS-CoV-2.

A Living Organoid Biobank of Crohn's Disease Patients Reveals Molecular Subtypes for Personalized Therapeutics

This paper creates a biobank of patient-derived organoids to identify molecular subtypes of Crohn's disease and test subtype-specific therapies.

Acquired epithelial WNT secretion drives niche independence of developing gastric cancer

The paper identifies WNT2B and WNT7B as key ligands maintaining gastric epithelium homeostasis and shows that gastric cancer gains WNT independence through epithelial secretion of WNT7B via MAPK activation.

Ormdl3 regulation of specific ceramides is dispensable for β-cell function and glucose homeostasis under obesogenic conditions

This study shows that loss of Ormdl3 in β-cells does not affect glucose homeostasis on standard diet but increases specific ceramide levels under high fat diet.