J. Brown

A Unique Promoter Architecture Defines Menin-KMT2A Complex Selectivity

The paper identifies a unique promoter architecture that defines Menin-KMT2A complex selectivity and its association with gene regulation and leukemia.

Human coronavirus HKU1 recognition of the TMPRSS2 host receptor

This study determines the structure of HKU1 spike RBD bound to TMPRSS2, identifies host receptor usage determinants, and shows the role of antibodies and glycan shielding in neutralization.

Large- and Small-Animal Studies of Safety, Pharmacokinetics (PK), and Biodistribution of Inflammasome-Targeting Nanoligomer in the Brain and Other Target Organs

This paper evaluates the safety, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution of an inflammasome-targeting Nanoligomer cocktail in small and large animals across multiple administration routes.

Dietary tryptophan and genetic susceptibility expand gut microbiota that promote systemic autoimmune activation

The paper shows that dietary tryptophan and genetic factors shape gut microbiota, which in turn influence autoimmune activation in lupus.

Persistent immune imprinting after XBB.1.5 COVID vaccination in humans

This study shows that immune imprinting from prior Wuhan-Hu-1 spike exposure persists after XBB.1.5 vaccine booster, with neutralizing antibodies dominated by pre-existing memory B cells.

Full-spike deep mutational scanning helps predict the evolutionary success of SARS-CoV-2 clades

This study uses deep mutational scanning to assess how mutations in SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins affect ACE2 binding, cell entry, and serum escape, linking these effects to clade growth rates.

Proteomics Identifies Osteomodulin as a Promoter of Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis via CDK1 Activation

The paper identifies osteomodulin as a promoter of breast cancer bone metastasis through CDK1 activation using proteomics and phosphoproteomics analysis of patient-derived tumors.

Multiple independent acquisitions of ACE2 usage in MERS-related coronaviruses

The paper identifies two European bat MERS-related coronaviruses that use ACE2 as their receptor, revealing a distinct binding mode and host tropism determinants.

Altered metabolic function induced by amyloid-beta oligomers and PSEN1-mutations in iPSC-derived astrocytes.

This study shows that astrocytes from early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease patients exhibit altered metabolism and gliosis, suggesting early metabolic changes may contribute to disease progression.

Barley cultivars shape the abundance, phenotype, genotype and gene expression of their associated microbiota by differential root exudate secretion

Hypogonadal (Gnrh1hpg) mice reveal niche-specific influence of reproductive axis and sex on intestinal microbial communities

This study uses hypogonadal mice to show sex and reproductive axis effects on intestinal microbial communities, with sex chromosomes also playing a role, and highlights limitations of fecal samples in reflecting small intestine diversity.

Disease-attenuated pneumococcal biosynthesis gene mutants invade the mucosal epithelium and induce innate immunity

This paper shows that disease-attenuated pneumococcal mutants retain epithelial microinvasion but show reduced transmigration and altered inflammatory responses.

Phylodynamics Uncovers the Transmission of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli between Canines and Humans in an Urban Environment

This study uses genomic sequencing and phylogenetics to show antibiotic-resistant E. coli is transmitted between canines and humans in urban environments.

High-throughput phenogenotyping of Mycobacteria tuberculosis clinical strains reveals bacterial determinants of treatment outcomes

This study uses high-throughput phenogenotyping to link Mtb genetic variants to clinical outcomes, identifying bacterial traits associated with treatment failure and transmission.

Pathogenic Leptospira are widespread in the urban wildlife of southern California

The paper assesses Leptospira prevalence and risk factors in urban wildlife in southern California, finding widespread exposure in multiple species.

Mircubactin B rescues the lethal effect of cell wall biosynthesis mutations in Bacillus subtilis.

The paper identifies mirubactin B, a compound that rescues growth defects in Bacillus subtilis rod-complex mutants, showing activity beyond simple iron sequestration.

Attenuation of a DNA Cruciform by a Conserved Regulator Directs T3SS-1 mediated virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

This study shows HlyU attenuates a DNA cruciform to enable T3SS-1 virulence gene expression in Vibrio parahaemolyticus by activating an ExsA autoactivation loop.

Multiplexed strain phenotyping defines consequences of genetic diversity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis for infection and vaccination outcomes

This study uses molecular barcoding to analyze genetic diversity in Mtb strains, showing L2 strains have distinct growth dynamics and resist BCG vaccination.

Genome Mining Uncovers Clustered Biosynthetic Pathways for Defense-Related Molecules in Bread Wheat

The paper identifies previously unknown pathogen-induced biosynthetic pathways in wheat that produce defense-related molecules and links them to known phytoalexin clusters in other cereals.

The extended Price equation: migration and sex

This paper extends the Price equation to include migration and mixed reproduction, providing a new derivation that clarifies assumptions in evolutionary theory.

Novel municipal sewage-associated bacterial genomes and their potential in source tracking

This study identifies sewage-specific bacterial genomes from wastewater treatment plants and shows their utility in tracking sewage contamination in waterbodies.

Metagenome-based comparisons of decay rates and host-specificity of fecal microbial communities for improved microbial source tracking

This study tracks cow, pig, and human fecal pollution in lake water over time using metagenomics and benchmarks novel protocols against standard culture-based and qPCR tests for water quality monitoring.

A deep generative model of 3D single-cell organization

The paper introduces a deep generative model to integrate 3D single-cell fluorescent image data of subcellular structures, enabling structure imputation and quantification of spatial variation.

Patterns of serum immune biomarkers during elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus viremia in Asian and African elephants

This study measures serum immune biomarkers in elephants with EEHV viremia, finding elevated acute phase proteins in fatal cases and potential immune response indicators in cytokines.

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 Delta variant replication, sensitivity to neutralising antibodies and vaccine breakthrough

This study evaluates the replication, antibody sensitivity, and vaccine efficacy of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 Delta variant compared to other variants and vaccine-elicited immunity.

Transcriptomic and rRNA:rDNA signatures of environmental vs. enteric Enterococcus faecalis isolates under oligotrophic freshwater conditions

This study compares survival strategies of environmental and enteric E. faecalis isolates under freshwater conditions, finding similar decay rates but distinct rRNA:rDNA ratios and limited evidence of habitat adaptation.

Differentiation of exhausted CD8 T cells after termination of chronic antigen stimulation stops short of achieving functional T cell memory

The paper shows that exhausted CD8 T cells do not fully recover functional memory after antigen removal in chronic HCV infection.

Impacts of an urban sanitation intervention on fecal indicators and the prevalence of human fecal contamination in Mozambique

The paper assesses the impact of a sanitation intervention on fecal contamination in Mozambique, finding minimal and uncertain effects after accounting for diagnostic accuracy of fecal indicators.

Extensive recombination-driven coronavirus diversification expands the pool of potential pandemic pathogens

This study identifies recombination-driven diversification in coronaviruses, revealing unknown genetic diversity that may contribute to future zoonotic threats.

Gene exchange networks define species-like units in marine prokaryotes

The paper identifies gene exchange networks in marine prokaryotes, showing they form broader evolutionary units than traditional species definitions.