L. L. Burrows

Micro-plaque assays: A high-throughput method to detect, isolate, and characterize bacteriophages

This paper introduces micro-plaque assays to improve phage isolation and characterization, showing they can isolate 21 unique phages from one sample and identify phage susceptibility in clinical strains.

Metabolic connections between folate and peptidoglycan pathways in Pseudomonas aeruginosa inform rational design of a dual-action inhibitor

This study identifies metabolic links between folate and peptidoglycan pathways in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and uses these insights to design a dual-action inhibitor that overcomes antibiotic resistance.

A genetic screen identifies a role for oprF in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm stimulation by subinhibitory antibiotics

This paper identifies OprF and SigX as key factors in sub-MIC antibiotic-induced biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, linking periplasmic redox changes to c-di-GMP signaling.

Nutrient Limitation Sensitizes Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Vancomycin

This study shows that vancomycin inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth under nutrient limitation and identifies resistance mechanisms linked to LPS biosynthesis and CpxSR signaling.

A single extracellular loop of FoxA controls ligand specificity, uptake, and signaling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The paper shows that a single extracellular loop of FoxA controls ligand specificity, uptake, and signaling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by affecting different siderophores.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa FpvB is a high-affinity transporter for xenosiderophores ferrichrome and ferrioxamine B

The paper identifies FpvB as a high-affinity transporter for xenosiderophores ferrichrome and ferrioxamine B in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, revealing its role in antibiotic uptake and transport promiscuity.

Central metabolism is a key player in E. coli biofilm stimulation by sub-MIC antibiotics

This study identifies central metabolism and respiration as key drivers of E. coli biofilm formation in response to sub-MIC antibiotics.

Exploration of BAY 11-7082 as a novel antibiotic

The paper identifies BAY 11-7082 as a molecule that stimulates biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and inhibits growth of MRSA and other pathogens, with analogues showing enhanced anti-Staphylococcal activity.

Hyperpiliation reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenicity by impeding type III secretion

The paper shows that increased type IVa pili (T4aP) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa reduces virulence by interfering with the type III secretion system, independent of twitching motility.

CryoEM map of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PilQ enables structural characterization of TsaP

The paper determines the structure of PilQ from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and identifies TsaP as the spoke-forming component, revealing its role in surface-sensing signal transduction.

Thiocillin and Micrococcin Exploit the Ferrioxamine Receptor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for Uptake

The paper identifies that thiocillin and micrococcin use the ferrioxamine receptor FoxA to enter Pseudomonas aeruginosa, enhancing their antibacterial activity under iron-limiting conditions.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa TfpW is a multifunctional D-Araf glycosyltransferase and oligosaccharyltransferase

This paper identifies TfpW as a multifunctional enzyme in Pseudomonas aeruginosa that performs glycosylation, translocation, and polymerization of D-Araf in type IV pili.

Forging new antibiotic combinations under iron-limiting conditions

The paper identifies antibiotic combinations that synergize with thiostrepton to combat multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii under iron-limiting conditions.

Multiple conformations facilitate PilT function in the type IV pilus

The paper determines four X-ray structures of PilT in different conformations and validates their physiological importance through co-evolution analysis and functional studies.

Thiostrepton hijacks pyoverdine receptors to inhibit growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This paper identifies thiostrepton's activity against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii under iron-limited conditions by exploiting pyoverdine receptors.

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa PilSR two-component system regulates both twitching and swimming motilities

This study identifies additional genes regulated by the PilSR two-component system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showing its role in motility and surface sensing beyond T4P regulation.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa type IV minor pilins and PilY1 regulate virulence by modulating FimS-AlgR activity

This study shows that minor pilins and PilY1 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulate virulence by modulating FimS-AlgR activity, with loss of these proteins increasing AlgR activation and reducing acute virulence factors.

Bacteria defend against phages through type IV pilus glycosylation

This study shows that glycosylation of type IV pili in Pseudomonas aeruginosa protects against phage infection by masking binding sites, and identifies phage tail proteins that enable infection of glycosylated pili.

cAMP-Independent Control Of Twitching Motility In Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This study shows FimV regulates twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa independently of cAMP, through polar localization of regulatory proteins and structural components.

The type IVa pilus machinery is pre-installed during cell division

This study shows that the T4aP machinery is pre-installed at future cell division sites in P. aeruginosa without requiring dedicated peptidoglycan hydrolases.

The molecular mechanism of the type IVa pilus motors

This study determines the structure of PilB ATPase domains bound to nucleotides, revealing rotational mechanisms for pilus assembly and disassembly.