K. Lau

Mutant GNAS drives a pyloric metaplasia with tumor suppressive glycans in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia

This study identifies GNASR201C as a driver of pyloric metaplasia in IPMN, characterized by tumor-suppressive glycans that inhibit cancer progression.

Low-dose cryo-electron ptychography of proteins at sub-nanometer resolution

This paper applies low-dose cryo-EM and 4D-STEM ptychography to achieve sub-nanometer resolution 3D reconstructions of frozen hydrated proteins.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals heterogenous thymic dendritic cell subsets with distinct functions and requirements for thymocyte-regulated crosstalk

The paper identifies seven thymic conventional dendritic cell subsets and their distinct functional roles and dependencies on thymocyte subsets for homeostasis and activation.

ACE2 mimetic antibody potently neutralizes all SARS-CoV-2 variants and fully protects in XBB.1.5 challenged monkeys

The histone lysine demethylase KDM5C fine-tunes gene expression to regulate dendritic cell heterogeneity and function

This study shows KDM5C regulates dendritic cell (DC) heterogeneity and function by modulating epigenetic programming and subset balance, affecting immune responses to infection.

Uncovering and engineering the mechanical properties of the adhesion GPCR ADGRG1 GAIN domain

This study investigates the mechanical properties of the ADGRG1 GAIN domain using single-molecule force spectroscopy and simulations, revealing structural mechanisms that enhance mechanical resistance and informing potential drug design.

Slice-PASEF: Maximising Ion Utilisation in LC-MS Proteomics

Slice-PASEF improves tandem MS sensitivity for low-sample proteomics, enabling applications like single-cell proteomics and drug screens.

XerC is required for the repair of antibiotic- and immune-mediated DNA damage in Staphylococcus aureus

This study identifies XerC as essential for DNA repair in Staphylococcus aureus, increasing susceptibility to antibiotics and immune defenses.

Ketolysis is a metabolic driver of CD8+ T cell effector function through histone acetylation

This study identifies ketone bodies as essential for CD8+ T cell metabolism and effector function through histone acetylation regulation.

Cryo-EM structures and binding of mouse and human ACE2 to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern indicate that mutations enabling immune escape could expand host range

The paper reports cryo-EM structures of mouse ACE2 bound to SARS-CoV-2 VOC Spike proteins, showing mutations enabling immune escape may expand host range.

Machine learning predictions of MHC-II specificities reveal alternative binding mode of class II epitopes

The paper predicts MHC-II epitope specificities using machine learning, revealing a reverse binding mode in ligands across multiple species.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron potently neutralized by a novel antibody with unique Spike binding properties

This paper identifies a potent human monoclonal antibody, P2G3, that neutralizes multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron, and demonstrates its protective efficacy in a monkey model.

Structural analysis of the Spike of the Omicron SARS-COV-2 variant by cryo-EM and implications for immune evasion.

The paper reports cryo-EM structures of mouse ACE2 bound to Spike proteins of four SARS-CoV-2 variants, revealing mutations that enhance binding and immune evasion.

Transcription Factor RFX3 Stabilizes Mammary Basal Cell Identity

This study identifies RFX3 as a key regulator stabilizing mammary myoepithelial cell identity by preventing transdifferentiation to the luminal lineage.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals a conserved metaplasia program in pancreatic injury

The paper uses single-cell RNA sequencing to identify a conserved metaplasia program in pancreatic injury, revealing mucin/ductal populations and neoplastic transformation potential.

Multiplexed 3D atlas of state transitions and immune interactions in colorectal cancer

This study uses multiplexed 3D imaging and machine learning to analyze colorectal cancer morphology and immune interactions, revealing molecular gradients and cell state transitions.

Impact of sterilization on a conjugated polymer based bioelectronic patch

This study evaluates the impact of different sterilization methods on the properties of a conjugated polymer-based bioelectronic patch, finding that ethylene oxide and low-dose gamma irradiation best preserve its performance and minimize immune response.

Human colorectal pre-cancer atlas identifies distinct molecular programs underlying two major subclasses of pre-malignant tumors

The paper creates a single-cell atlas of colorectal pre-cancerous polyps, identifying distinct molecular programs in adenomas and sessile serrated lesions and their associations with CRC subtypes.

Structural investigation of ACE2 dependent disassembly of the trimeric SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein

This study uses cryo-EM to show that hACE2 binding causes SARS-CoV-2 Spike trimer disassembly and S1 domain rearrangement, suggesting a mechanism for soluble hACE2's therapeutic effect.

Immune response to vaccine candidates based on different types of nanoscaffolded RBD domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

This study evaluates DNA vaccines with RBD domains scaffolded by different peptides, finding that the β-annulus scaffold elicits the strongest immune response in mice.

A constitutively monomeric UVR8 photoreceptor allele confers enhanced UV-B photomorphogenesis

The paper describes a hyperactive UVR8 allele that causes constitutive photomorphogenesis and enhanced UV-B responsiveness due to impaired dimerization and inactivation.

The Sec1/Munc18 protein Vps45 holds the Qa-SNARE Tlg2 in an open conformation

This paper presents the structure of the Vps45–Tlg2 SM–Qa-SNARE complex, showing Vps45 holds Tlg2 in an open conformation, distinct from the closed conformation seen in Munc18-1–syntaxin 1 complexes.

Plant photoreceptors and their signaling components compete for binding to the ubiquitin ligase COP1 using their VP-peptide motifs

The paper shows that photoreceptors and transcription factors compete for COP1 binding via VP-peptide motifs, controlling light signaling in plants.

Two bifunctional inositol pyrophosphate kinases/phosphatases control plant phosphate homeostasis.

This study identifies VIH1 and VIH2 as bifunctional enzymes regulating phosphate homeostasis in Arabidopsis by modulating PP-InsP levels in response to ATP concentration changes.