K. Schaefer

Developmental priming of cancer susceptibility

The paper shows that early life epigenetic variation can prime cancer-susceptibility states that persist into adulthood and correlate with poor prognosis in human cancers.

Multi-scale photocatalytic proximity labeling reveals cell surface neighbors on and between cells

The paper introduces a multi-scale proximity labeling method using Eosin Y to map cell surface protein neighborhoods at varying resolutions and validates interactions of EGFR and CAR-T cell synapses.

Spatio-temporal transcriptomic analysis reveals distinct nephrotoxicity, DNA damage and regeneration response after cisplatin

This study uses spatial transcriptomics to analyze cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and regeneration in different kidney segments, identifying distinct molecular responses and biomarkers.

Motion of single molecular tethers reveals dynamic subdomains at ER-mitochondria contact sites

This study uses 3D electron microscopy and live cell imaging to reveal dynamic subdomains at ER-mitochondria contact sites and how VAPB tethers contribute to their structure and remodeling.

The C. albicans virulence factor Candidalysin polymerizes in solution to form membrane pores and damage epithelial cells.

This study reveals that Candidalysin polymerizes in solution to form membrane pores, damaging epithelial cells, and identifies polymerization as a therapeutic target for candidiasis.

An ultra-potent synthetic nanobody neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 by locking Spike into an inactive conformation

This paper develops a potent synthetic nanobody that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 by locking its Spike protein in an inactive conformation, enabling aerosol delivery as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent.

Bi-paratopic and multivalent human VH domains neutralize SARS-CoV-2 by targeting distinct epitopes within the ACE2 binding interface of Spike

This paper identifies and engineers multivalent human VH domains that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 by targeting distinct epitopes on the Spike protein's ACE2 binding interface, showing increased affinity and potency.

Structure and reconstitution of a hydrolase complex that releases peptidoglycan from the membrane after polymerization

This paper identifies a hydrolase complex in Staphylococcus aureus that releases peptidoglycan from the membrane by cleaving nascent polymers, enabling their integration into the cell wall matrix.

Wnt Regulation: Exploring Axin-Disheveled interactions and defining mechanisms by which the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase is recruited to the destruction complex

The paper investigates Wnt signaling by examining Axin-Dishevelled interactions and the recruitment of the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase to the destruction complex, revealing dynamic roles of Axin and Dishevelled.

Correlative three-dimensional super-resolution and block face electron microscopy of whole vitreously frozen cells

This study develops a platform for 3D correlative cryogenic super-resolution and block-face EM of whole vitreously frozen cells, revealing new protein-ultrastructure relationships.

The cell cycle in Staphylococcus aureus is regulated by an amidase that controls peptidoglycan synthesis

This study identifies an amidase complex that spatially regulates peptidoglycan synthesis in S. aureus, controlling cell growth and division by modulating synthase activity and movement.

The Drosophila Afadin and ZO-1 homologs Canoe and Polychaetoid act in parallel to maintain epithelial integrity when challenged by adherens junction remodeling

This study shows Canoe and Polychaetoid work together to maintain epithelial integrity during junction remodeling in Drosophila embryos.