M. Johnson

Acarbose ameliorates Western diet-induced metabolic and cognitive impairments in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

This study shows acarbose improves metabolic health and reduces cognitive deficits in Western diet-fed 3xTg mice, suggesting it may help prevent or delay Alzheimer's disease.

The DNA Replication Checkpoint Targets the Kinetochore for Relocation of Collapsed Forks to the Nuclear Periphery

This study shows the DNA replication checkpoint facilitates relocation of collapsed CAG/CTG repeat forks to the nuclear periphery via kinetochore phosphorylation and microtubule recruitment in S. cerevisiae.

Diversity and assembly of the microbiome of a leguminous plant along an urbanization gradient

This study examines how urbanization affects soil and root microbiome diversity and assembly in white clover, finding distinct responses between soil and root communities.

Comparing approaches to quantify urbanization on a multicontinental scale

This study compares transect- and point-based sampling designs for quantifying urbanization across 136 cities, finding that sampling design significantly affects environmental variable capture.

Reproducible differentiation of pure ovarian support cells from clinical-grade hiPSCs as a novel infertility treatment

The paper describes the development of a clinical-grade hiPSC-derived ovarian support cell protocol to improve in vitro maturation of oocytes and embryo formation.

RBM39 degrader invigorates natural killer cells to eradicate neuroblastoma despite cancer cell plasticity

This study shows that targeting RBM39 with indisulam promotes natural killer cell activity and eradicates neuroblastoma regardless of cellular state plasticity.

Conditional c-MYC activation in catecholaminergic cells drives distinct neuroendocrine tumors: neuroblastoma vs somatostatinoma

This study creates two mouse models with conditional c-MYC activation in specific cell types, leading to distinct neuroendocrine tumors resembling human neuroblastoma and somatostatinoma.

Empowering High Throughput Screening of 3D Models: Automated Dispensing of Cervical and Endometrial Cancer Cells

This study uses automated cell dispensing to create 3D cancer cell models for high throughput screening, showing minimal impact on cell behavior and improved efficiency.

TIAM1 signaling drives prostatic budding and branching phenotypes and is a potential therapeutic target for BPH

This study identifies TIAM1-RAC1 signaling as a driver of prostatic budding and branching in BPH and suggests it as a therapeutic target.

Maternal immunization with distinct influenza vaccine platforms elicits unique antibody profiles that impact the protection of offspring

This study compares antibody profiles from maternal influenza vaccines in mice, showing LAIV and rHA provide better offspring protection than TIV.

Mosaic of local adaptation between white clover and rhizobia along an urbanization gradient

This study investigates local adaptation and coevolution between white clover and rhizobia along an urbanization gradient, finding stronger local adaptation in rhizobia and a positive relationship between their adaptation under nitrogen addition.

Frequent allopolyploidy with distant progenitors in the moss genera Physcomitrium and Entosthodon (Funariaceae) identified via subgenome phasing of targeted nuclear genes.

The paper identifies allopolyploidy in moss species using subgenome phasing of targeted nuclear genes, revealing hybrid origins and new lineages.

Diverse viral cas genes antagonize CRISPR immunity

The paper identifies novel anti-CRISPR genes in Listeria isolates that antagonize diverse CRISPR-Cas systems, revealing evolutionary mechanisms of Acrs through cas gene co-option.

Activation of programmed cell death and counter-defense functions of phage accessory genes

The paper identifies and characterizes phage accessory genes (AGs) that activate host antiviral immunity, including programmed cell death, and explores their evolutionary implications.

Urbanization and a green corridor do not impact genetic divergence in common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

The study tests if urbanization and green corridors affect genetic divergence in common milkweed, finding no impact on trait genetics despite phenotypic variation.

Putting on academic armor: How Black physicians and trainees take stances to make racism visible amidst publishing constraints

This paper examines how Black physicians and trainees navigate racism in medical publishing by adopting specific stances, using discursive strategies to balance personal experiences with institutional norms.

Attenuated humoral responses in HIV infection after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are linked to global B cell defects and cellular immune profiles

This study examines humoral and cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in HIV-infected individuals, finding reduced antibody responses and B cell dysfunction, but robust T cell responses.

The effects of environmental heterogeneity within a city on the evolution of clines

The paper examines how fine-scale urbanization creates micro-clines in HCN defense traits within city parks, showing opposite patterns to broader urban-rural gradients.

High neutralizing antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron after UB-612 booster vaccination

This study shows that a UB-612 booster vaccine significantly increases neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, with estimated 95% efficacy against the ancestral strain.

Urbanization and green corridors influence reproductive success and pollinators of common milkweed

This study examines how urbanization and green corridors affect reproductive success and pollinator communities of common milkweed over two years in urban-rural transects.

Distinct sensitivities to SARS-CoV-2 variants in vaccinated humans and mice

This study compares neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants in vaccinated humans and mice, finding that mice do not accurately reflect the breadth and potency seen in humans.

Mutational robustness changes during long-term adaptation in laboratory budding yeast populations

This study measures how the fitness landscape neighborhood changes during yeast adaptation, finding reduced mutational robustness in one environment but not another.

Comprehensive antibody profiling of mRNA vaccination in children

This study compares humoral immune responses to mRNA vaccines in children aged 6-11 years, finding that a 100g dose elicits robust and dose-dependent cross-VOC antibody responses with preserved functional immunity.

Seasonal phenology of Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari) in Hawaii and the influence of weather on flight activity

This study examines the seasonal flight behavior of Coffee Berry Borer in Hawaii and identifies weather variables influencing its activity.

Echolocating whales use ultra-fast echo-kinetic responses to track evasive prey.

This study shows that echolocating whales adjust their biosonar clicking rates to track prey, with neural and muscular response times similar to visual tracking reflexes, not requiring ultra-fast processing.

Radiation-reprogrammed glioma stem cells generate vascular-like cells to build a trophic niche driving tumor recurrence

The paper shows radiation induces vascular-like phenotypes in glioma stem cells, creating a trophic niche that promotes tumor recurrence, and identifies P300 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy.

Surface Engineering of FLT4-Targeted Nanocarriers Enhances Cell-Softening Glaucoma Therapy

This paper develops FLT4-targeted nanocarriers for glaucoma therapy, showing improved IOP reduction and targeted delivery to Schlemms canal cells.

Stabilization of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor-binding domain using deep mutational scanning and structure-based design

This paper designs stabilized SARS-CoV-2 RBD variants using deep mutational scanning and structure-based design, showing improved thermal stability and manufacturability for vaccine applications.

Elicitation of broadly protective sarbecovirus immunity by receptor-binding domain nanoparticle vaccines

This study shows that a SARS-CoV-2 RBD nanoparticle vaccine protects against SARS-CoV-2 and related sarbecoviruses, including variants, in mice and non-human primates.

Evidence for microbiome-dependent chilling tolerance in Sorghum

This study investigates how soil microbiomes affect sorghum's chilling tolerance, finding that microbial inoculation can enhance shoot biomass and leaf area under chilling stress in some genotypes.