M. Westermann

Changes in growth, lanthanide binding, and gene expression in Pseudomonas alloputida KT2440 in response to light and heavy lanthanides

This study investigates how light and heavy lanthanides affect growth, lanthanide binding, and gene expression in Pseudomonas alloputida KT2440, revealing differential responses and a dimmer switch mechanism for lanthanide-dependent enzymes.

Different lanthanide elements induce strong gene expression changes in a lanthanide-accumulating methylotroph

This paper shows that different lanthanide elements significantly alter gene expression in a lanthanide-accumulating methylotroph, affecting metabolism and physiology beyond methanol oxidation.

The role of pneumococcal extracellular vesicles on the pathophysiology of the kidney disease Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

This paper investigates the role of pneumococcal extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis of hemolytic uremic syndrome and identifies their cargo and effects on host cells.

The choline-binding proteins PspA, PspC and LytA of Streptococcus pneumoniae and their role on host cellular adhesion and damage

This study investigates the role of choline-binding proteins PspA, PspC, and LytA in Streptococcus pneumoniae adhesion and pathogenicity using imaging and functional assays.

Gram-positive bacteria secrete RNA aptamers to activate human STING for IL-1β release.

This study identifies RNA aptamers secreted by Gram-positive bacteria that activate the STING pathway to induce IL-1β release in human macrophages.

Interspecies metabolite transfer and aggregate formation in a co-culture of Dehalococcoides and Sulfurospirillum dehalogenating tetrachloroethene to ethene

This study co-cultures Dehalococcoides and Sulfurospirillum to dehalogenate tetrachloroethene to ethene, showing enhanced rates and cofactor production by S. multivorans for D. mccartyi.

Two distinct bacterial biofilm components trigger metamorphosis in the colonial hydrozoan Hydractinia echinata

This study identifies two distinct bacterial biofilm components that induce metamorphosis in Hydractinia echinata larvae, showing their combined activity enhances transformation rates.

Hydrogen production by Sulfurospirillum spp. enables syntrophic interactions of Epsilonproteobacteria

This study identifies hydrogen production by Sulfurospirillum spp., revealing their role as hydrogen producers in anoxic environments and their syntrophic interactions with methanogens.