J. Rocha

Complementary roles of EPS, T3SS, and Expansin for virulence of Erwinia tracheiphila, the causative agent of cucurbit wilt

This study investigates the roles of EPS, Hrp T3SS, and Expansin in the virulence of E. tracheiphila, showing EPS is essential for survival, while Hrp T3SS and Expansin are needed for systemic wilt symptoms.

Harnessing Emergent Properties of Microbial Consortia: Assembly of the Xilonen SynCom

The paper assembles a synthetic microbial community (SynCom) from maize-associated bacteria to study emergent colony architecture as a proxy for biofilm formation.

Global diversity, recurrent evolution, and recent selection on amylase structural haplotypes in humans

This study examines amylase structural haplotypes in humans, finding increased copy numbers in agricultural populations and evidence of recent selection over the last 12,000 years.

Biofilm formation and maize root-colonization of seed-endophytic Bacilli isolated from native maize landraces

The paper tests root-colonization of Bacilli isolates from maize seeds in vitro and soil, finding that in vitro biofilm formation poorly predicts long-term soil colonization.

Bacteria Contribute Exopolysaccharides to an Algal-Bacterial Joint Extracellular Matrix

This study identifies a shared algal-bacterial extracellular matrix formed through bacterial exopolysaccharide production, enhancing aggregation and colonization in marine environments.

Comprehensive genome editing confers "off-the-shelf" CAR-T cells superior efficacy against solid tumors

The paper develops genome-edited CAR-T cells resistant to multiple inhibitory signals, showing improved efficacy against solid tumors in humanized mouse models.

Reducing the Bacterial Lag Phase Through Methylated Compounds: Insights from Algal-Bacterial Interactions

The study shows methylated compounds from microalgae reduce the bacterial lag phase in Phaeobacter inhibens by enabling methionine cycle assimilation.

The genetic legacy of the expansion of Bantu-speaking peoples in Africa

A genetic analysis of Bantu-speaking populations reveals serial founder events, local gene-flow, and a decline in genetic diversity with distance from western Africa.

Taxonomic and metagenomic analyses define the development of the microbiota in the chick

This paper tracks microbiota development in chicks using taxonomic and metagenomic analyses, showing pathogen-induced changes and identifying amino acid biosynthesis as critical for Salmonella colonization.

Distinct cytosolic complexes containing the type III secretion system ATPase resolved by 3D single-molecule tracking in live Yersinia enterocolitica

This study uses 3D single-molecule tracking to identify distinct cytosolic complexes of injectisome proteins in live Yersinia enterocolitica cells, revealing their interactions and abundance.

Extended bacterial diversity of the urinary microbiome of reproductive-age healthy European women captured by culturomics and long-read amplicon sequencing

This study characterizes the urinary microbiome of healthy European women using culturomics and long-read sequencing, revealing high species diversity and inter-individual variation.

The quorum sensing system NprR-NprRB contributes to spreading and fitness in colony biofilms of Bacillus thuringiensis.

This study shows that the NprR-NprRB quorum sensing system in Bacillus thuringiensis enhances biofilm spreading and bacterial fitness through the lipopeptide kurstakin.

COVID-19 genetic risk variants are associated with expression of multiple genes in diverse immune cell types.

The paper identifies COVID-19 risk variants associated with gene expression in multiple immune cell types, revealing potential mechanisms linking genetic risk to disease severity.

Rap-protein paralogs of B. thuringiensis: a multifunctional and redundant regulatory repertoire for the control of collective functions.

This study identifies eight Rap-Phr quorum-sensing systems in B. thuringiensis and shows their multifunctional roles in sporulation, biofilm formation, proteolytic activity, and spreading.

Bacterial communities of herbivores and pollinators that have co-evolved Cucurbita spp.

The paper characterizes gut bacterial communities of herbivorous and pollinating insects co-evolved with Cucurbita plants, finding high variability and shared common taxa across species.

A horizontally acquired expansin gene increases virulence of the emerging plant pathogen Erwinia tracheiphila

This paper identifies a horizontally acquired expansin gene in Erwinia tracheiphila that enhances its virulence by facilitating xylem colonization and plant wilt.

From morphogenesis to pathogenesis: A cellulose loosening protein is one of the most widely distributed tools in nature

The paper investigates the phylogenetic distribution of expansin genes in microbes, revealing their presence in diverse bacterial and fungal lineages and suggesting horizontal gene transfer as a mechanism for their broad distribution.

An introduced crop plant is driving diversification of the virulent bacterial pathogen Erwinia tracheiphila

The paper sequenced E. tracheiphila genomes to show introduced cucumber plants drive its diversification into distinct lineages.

Single-molecule tracking in live Yersinia enterocolitica reveals distinct cytosolic complexes of injectisome subunits

The paper uses single-molecule tracking to show SctQ and SctL form stable cytosolic complexes, revealing dynamic regulatory mechanisms in type 3 secretion.