M. Becker

An iPSC-derived bio-inspired scaffold modelling the structure and the effects of extracellular matrix in cardiac fibrosis

This paper develops a bio-inspired scaffold from iPSC-derived cardiac myofibroblasts to model fibrotic ECM effects on cardiomyocytes.

BBSome-dependent ciliary Hedgehog signaling governs cell fate in the white adipose tissue

This study shows that primary cilia dysfunction in Bbs8-/- mice reduces adipose stem cells and promotes fibrogenic progenitors via disrupted Hedgehog signaling, affecting adipogenesis and lipid uptake.

Low humidity enhances Zika virus infection and dissemination in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

This study shows that low humidity increases Zika virus infection in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, affecting survival, infection rates, and dissemination.

Early-stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by bronchoalveolar accumulation of SPP1+ macrophages

This study identifies SPP1+ macrophages as early-stage biomarkers in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis using single-cell transcriptomics and flow cytometry.

Dehydration induced AePer50 regulates midgut infection in Aedes aegypti

This study identifies AePer50, a gene upregulated during dehydration in Aedes aegypti, as critical for midgut infection of arboviruses under low humidity conditions.

Donor tissue-resident memory-like T and NK cells generate a transient peripheral chimerism in lung transplant recipients, potentially protective from chronic lung allograft dysfunction

Donor TRM-like T and NK cells create a temporary chimerism in lung transplant recipients, possibly reducing the risk of chronic lung allograft dysfunction.

The influence of the larval microbiome on susceptibility to Zika virus is mosquito genotype dependent

This study shows that mosquito genotype interacts with larval microbiome to influence Zika virus susceptibility in Aedes aegypti.

Bile acids accumulate norovirus-like particles and enhance binding to and entry into human enteric epithelial cells

This study shows that hydrophobic bile acids enhance norovirus VLP attachment and entry into human duodenal cells by aggregating virions near the cell surface.

Efficient clathrin-mediated entry of enteric adenoviruses in human duodenal cells

This study identifies clathrin- and dynamin-dependent pathways for efficient enteric adenovirus entry in human duodenal cells, highlighting kinetic advantages over other cell types.

Antibodies to Coagulase of Staphylococcus aureus crossreact to Efb and reveal different binding of shared Fibrinogen Binding repeats

The paper characterizes monoclonal antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus coagulase that cross-react with Efb and distinguish two functionally different Fg-binding epitopes.

Classifying the activity states of small vertebrates using automated VHF telemetry

This paper develops a random forest model to classify activity states of small vertebrates using VHF telemetry signals, achieving high accuracy across species.

Two new Rhizobiales species isolated from root nodules of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) show different plant colonization strategies

The paper describes two new Rhizobiales species from common sainfoin root nodules, showing distinct plant colonization strategies and growth-promoting traits.

Breaking the Crosstalk of the Cellular Tumorigenic Network in NSCLC by a Highly Effective Drug Combination

This study shows a low-dose drug combination effectively suppresses NSCLC PDX tumors with high response and complete remission rates.

A sensitive and specific genetically encodable biosensor for potassium ions

The paper describes the development of a genetically encoded fluorescent K+ biosensor, GINKO2, optimized for sensitivity and specificity in vivo across multiple species.

A broadly neutralizing biparatopic Nanobody protects mice from lethal challenge with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

This study identifies a biparatopic nanobody that protects mice from lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduces viral load and inflammation.

A SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody selected from COVID-19 patients by phage display is binding to the ACE2-RBD interface and is tolerant to most known recently emerging RBD mutations

The paper describes the selection of a SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody from COVID-19 patients using phage display, showing it binds the ACE2-RBD interface and remains effective against emerging RBD mutations.

NeutrobodyPlex - Nanobodies to monitor a SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing immune response

The paper develops NeutrobodyPlex, a multiplex assay using bivalent nanobodies to analyze neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in patient sera.

SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing human recombinant antibodies selected from pre-pandemic healthy donors binding at RBD-ACE2 interface

The paper identifies potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies from pre-pandemic human donors that bind the RBD-ACE2 interface, showing high neutralization efficacy in vitro.

In vivo inducible reverse genetics in patients' tumors to identify individual therapeutic targets

The paper develops an in vivo inducible RNAi system in patient-derived xenograft models to identify therapeutic targets in acute leukemias.

Using relative brain size to better understand trophic interactions and phenotypic plasticity of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans)

This study compares the relative brain size of invasive lionfish to their ecological interactions, finding smaller brain size due to low predation pressure from venomous spines.

Investigation of the quorum-sensing regulon of the biocontrol bacterium Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain PA23

This study uses RNA sequencing to identify genes regulated by quorum sensing in Pseudomonas chlororaphis PA23, revealing 13% of the genome is under QS control.

Evaluation of rice wild relatives as a source of traits for adaptation to iron toxicity and enhanced grain quality

This study evaluates rice wild relatives for traits to improve adaptation to iron toxicity and grain quality, finding some genotypes perform better than domesticated rice in specific stress conditions.

A rule-based data-informed cellular consensus map of the human mononuclear phagocyte cell space

The paper develops a rule-based data-informed approach to create a consensus map of the human mononuclear phagocyte cell space using computational integration and single-cell RNA-sequencing.

Infectious Entry of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus

This study investigates the infectious entry mechanism of MCPyV, revealing caveolar/lipid raft-mediated endocytosis and endosomal membrane envelope acquisition, with endosome-to-ER trafficking as a bottleneck.