J. Takagi

Deep mutational scanning of whole SARS-CoV-2 spike in an inverted infection system

The paper develops a DMS platform to analyze SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations, finding that spike expression, not ACE2 affinity, primarily affects infectivity and evolution.

An engineered ACE2 decoy broadly neutralizes Omicron subvariants and shows therapeutic effect in SARS-CoV-2-infected cynomolgus macaques

This paper shows an engineered ACE2 decoy neutralizes Omicron subvariants and is effective in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in macaques.

Direct Cryo-ET observation of platelet deformation induced by SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein

This study observes SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-induced platelet deformation and activation using cryo-ET and live imaging, identifying integrin vβ3 as a binding target.

Three-dimensional motions of GroEL during substrate protein recognition

The paper uses cryo-EM to study the 3D motions of GroEL during substrate recognition, revealing asymmetric binding and conformational dynamics at near-atomic resolution.

Engineered ACE2 counteracts vaccine-evading SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

This paper shows engineered ACE2 neutralizes Omicron and other sarbecoviruses effectively despite its high number of spike mutations.

High affinity modified ACE2 receptors protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters

The paper engineers high-affinity ACE2 receptors to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in hamsters, showing protection against infection without viral escape mutations.

Novel Pure αVβ3 Integrin Antagonists That Do Not Induce Receptor Extension, Prime the Receptor, or Enhance Angiogenesis at Low Concentrations

This paper designs and evaluates two small-molecule Vβ3 antagonists that inhibit cell adhesion and bone resorption without inducing receptor conformational changes or enhancing angiogenesis at low concentrations.

Candida albicans white and opaque cells exhibit distinct spectra of organ colonization in standard mouse models of infection

This study compares the organ colonization ability of white and opaque Candida albicans cells in mouse models, finding that opaque cells can colonize certain organs more effectively than white cells.

Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing and its application to conditional genetic analysis in Marchantia polymorpha

This study develops efficient CRISPR/Cas9 vectors for genome editing in Marchantia polymorpha, achieving over 70% editing efficiency and enabling conditional genetic analysis.

High quality frozen extracts of Xenopus laevis eggs reveal size-dependent control of metaphase spindle micromechanics

The paper describes a method to prepare frozen Xenopus laevis egg extracts with preserved spindle assembly activity, enabling analysis of metaphase spindle size and stiffness correlations.