M. A. Wilson

X-ray-driven chemistry and conformational heterogeneity in atomic resolution crystal structures of bacterial dihydrofolate reductases

This study shows X-rays can drive hydride transfer in bacterial DHFRs, revealing conformational changes and catalytic dynamics through high-resolution crystal structures.

Cucurbituril Enhances Distance Measurements of Spin-Labeled Proteins

This paper demonstrates that cucurbituril enhances spin-label immobilization and improves DEER measurement sensitivity for studying protein distances.

Changes in an Enzyme Ensemble During Catalysis Observed by High Resolution XFEL Crystallography

The paper uses XFEL crystallography to observe conformational changes in an enzyme during catalysis, revealing ionization-linked dynamics that control catalytic activity.

Its a Trap?! Escape from an ancient, ancestral sex chromosome system and implication of Foxl2 as the putative primary sex determining gene in a lizard (Anguimorpha; Shinisauridae)

The paper identifies a novel ZW sex chromosome system on LG3 in Shinisaurus, with Foxl2 as a candidate primary sex determining gene.

Incomplete dosage balance and dosage compensation in the ZZ/ZW Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) revealed by de novo genome assembly

The paper reports the de novo genome assembly of the Gila monster and identifies Z-chromosome scaffolds, revealing incomplete dosage compensation and sex-specific expression patterns in ZZ/ZW sex determination.

Adaptations to water stress and pastoralism in the Turkana of northwest Kenya

The paper identifies genetic regions associated with adaptation to water stress and pastoralism in the Turkana people using genome sequencing.

A molecular plugin rescues GroEL/ES substrates from pre-folding oxidation

This study identifies CnoX as a redox quality-control plugin for GroEL, showing it binds outside the substrate-binding site and forms mixed-disulfides with substrates.

DJ-1 glyoxalase activity makes a modest contribution to cellular defense against methylglyoxal damage in neurons

This study investigates DJ-1's role in glycation defense and finds it has only a minor effect on reducing methylglyoxal damage in neurons.

Metabolite Damage and Damage-Control in a Minimal Genome

The paper identifies and validates genes involved in metabolite damage repair and preemption in the minimized Mycoplasma JCVI-Syn3A genome and extends its metabolic map.

Genomic Skimming and Nanopore Sequencing Uncover Cryptic Hybridization in One of World's Most Threatened Primates

The paper uses genomic skimming and nanopore sequencing to identify a cryptic hybrid marmoset with a C. aurita phenotype but C. penicillata mitochondrial lineage.

Genie: An interactive real-time simulation for teaching genetic drift

Genie is an interactive real-time simulation for teaching genetic drift, shown to be as effective as traditional methods in reducing misconceptions.

Reproducibility of protein X-ray diffuse scattering and potential utility for modeling atomic displacement parameters

Reference genome and transcriptome informed by the sex chromosome complement of the sample increases ability to detect sex differences in gene expression from RNA-Seq data

This paper shows that using sex chromosome complement-informed reference genomes and transcriptomes improves detection of sex differences in gene expression from RNA-Seq data.

Thioproline formation as a driver of formaldehyde toxicity in Escherichia coli

This study identifies thioproline formation as a key contributor to formaldehyde toxicity in E. coli and suggests PepP as a potential damage-control enzyme.

Mix-and-inject XFEL crystallography reveals gated conformational dynamics during enzyme catalysis

This study uses mix-and-inject XFEL crystallography to observe conformational changes in isocyanide hydratase during catalysis, showing how cysteine modification affects enzyme dynamics and function.

Conservation of an Ancient Oxidation Response That Controls Archaeal Epigenetic Traits Through Chromatin Protein Networks

The paper investigates how oxidation-induced SAM pool depletion in archaea drives chromatin protein hypomethylation and epigenetic trait evolution through protein network changes.