Q. Lu

Enabling Systemic Identification and Functionality Profiling for Cdc42 Homeostatic Modulators

This study systematically identifies and classifies Cdc42 homeostatic modulators using a combination of experimental profiling and computer-aided drug discovery, revealing five functionally distinct classes with potential therapeutic applications.

Pharmacodynamic evaluation of AUM001/tinodasertib, an oral inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-interacting protein kinase 1, 2 (MNK1/2) in preclinical models and tissues from a Phase 1 clinical study

This paper evaluates the pharmacodynamic effects of AUM001/tinodasertib in preclinical models and human tissues from a Phase 1 study, showing dose-dependent inhibition of eIF4E phosphorylation in tumors and PBMCs.

Adaptive diversification through structural variation in barley

This study presents a barley pangenome revealing structural variation linked to traits like disease resistance and plant architecture, highlighting its role in adaptive evolution.

Cryo-EM structures of human cone visual pigments

This study presents cryo-EM structures of human cone visual pigments in complex with G proteins, revealing their active state and mutations affecting spectral tuning.

Monocytic fibrocyte-like cell enrichment and myofibroblastic adaptation causes nucleus pulposus fibrosis and associates with disc degeneration severity

The paper identifies fibrocyte-like cells as key drivers of nucleus pulposus fibrosis in disc degeneration, showing their role in myofibroblast formation and disease severity.

Bacterial exonuclease III expands its enzymatic activities on single-stranded DNA

This study shows bacterial ExoIII can cleave single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) via exonuclease and endonuclease activities, revealing new enzymatic functions and implications for biosensor design.

Biochemical and functional characterization of the p.A165T missense variant of mitochondrial amidoxime-reducing component 1 in HepG2 cells

This study characterizes the p.A165T missense variant of mARC1 in HepG2 cells, showing mislocalization, reduced stability, and impaired enzymatic function, which may explain its protective effect in liver disease.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection augments the magnitude and durability of systemic and mucosal immunity in triple-dose CoronaVac recipients

This study examines immune responses in CoronaVac-vaccinated individuals after Omicron infection, showing enhanced antibody and cellular immunity compared to unvaccinated controls.

DNA Nanostructure-Guided Assembly of Proteins into Programmable Shapes

This paper describes a method using DNA origami to guide the assembly of protein-DNA conjugates into programmable nanostructures with controlled stoichiometry and geometry.

Increased hyaluronan by naked mole-rat HAS2 extends lifespan in mice

This study shows that overexpressing the naked mole-rat HAS2 gene in mice increases hyaluronan levels, reduces inflammation, and extends lifespan and healthspan.

The selective estrogen receptor modulator clomiphene inhibits sterol biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

The paper identifies clomiphene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, as an inhibitor of plant sterol biosynthesis by targeting CPI1, suggesting its potential for agricultural applications.

IL-17 activation undermines longevity and stress tolerance by inhibiting a protective transcriptional network

This study shows that IL-17 overactivation in C. elegans reduces lifespan and stress tolerance by inhibiting a protective transcriptional network involving NHR-49 and MDT-15.

Effects of protoscoleces excretory-secretory products of Echinococcus granulosus on hepatocyte growth, function, and glucose metabolism

This study investigates how excretory-secretory products from Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces affect mouse hepatocyte growth, function, and glucose metabolism, finding inhibition of proliferation, promotion of apoptosis, and disruption of metabolic pathways.

Proteome-wide cellular thermal shift assay reveals novel crosstalk between brassinosteroid and auxin signaling

The paper uses CETSA MS to identify novel crosstalk between brassinosteroid and auxin signaling in Arabidopsis by analyzing the thermal and phospho-proteomes of the GSK3 inhibitor bikinin.

Genomics-informed insights into microbial degradation of N,N-dimethylformamide

This study identifies genomic diversity and degradation pathways for N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) by analyzing 20,762 genomes, revealing plasmid-mediated degradation and anaerobic potential for methane production.

TGF--dependent Lymphoid Tissue Residency of Stem-like T cells Limits the Response to Tumor Vaccine

The paper identifies TGF-β-dependent differentiation of stem-like CD8+ T cells into tissue-resident memory T cells in tumor draining lymph nodes, which negatively correlates with tumor vaccine response.

A Modified Comprehensive Grading System for Murine Knee Osteoarthritis: Scoring the Whole Joint as an Organ

This paper introduces a new histologic grading system for murine knee osteoarthritis that scores the entire joint, showing high reproducibility and sensitivity for detecting OA progression.

Butyryl/Caproyl-CoA:Acetate CoA-Transferase: Cloning, Expression and Characterization of the Key Enzyme Involved in Medium-Chain Fatty Acid Biosynthesis

This study identifies and characterizes two CoAT enzymes from bacteria, showing CPB6-CoAT can catalyze both butyrate and caproate synthesis, while BEY8-CoAT only catalyzes butyrate synthesis.

Mechanistic insights into the success of xenobiotic degraders resolved from metagenomes of microbial enrichment cultures

The paper analyzes metagenomic data from microbial communities to identify strategies underlying xenobiotic degradation and their ecological interactions.

A ciliopathy complex builds distal appendages to initiate ciliogenesis

The paper identifies the DISCO complex, essential for ciliogenesis, and shows its role in distal appendage formation and centriole length regulation, linking defects to human ciliopathies.

Biofilm Formation and Virulence of Shigella flexneri is Modulated by pH of Gastrointestinal Tract

This study shows that Shigella flexneri biofilm formation and virulence are influenced by pH, with acidic conditions promoting biofilm stability and virulence.

Activation of the membrane-bound Nrf1 transcription factor by USP19, a ubiquitinspecific protease C-terminally tail-anchored in the endoplasmic reticulum

This paper identifies USP19 as a modulator of Nrf1 stability and activity by preventing its ubiquitination and degradation, showing its role in tumor growth regulation.

Comparison of CRISPR/Cas endonucleases for in vivo retinal gene editing.

This study compares CRISPR/Cas endonucleases for in vivo retinal gene editing and finds SpCas9 delivered via AAV7m8 achieves the highest knockout efficacy.

Transferrin-dependent crosstalk between the intestinal tract and commensal microbes contributes for immune tolerance

The paper shows that commensal microbes up-regulate host transferrin to suppress TLR signaling and promote immune tolerance in the gut.

Genome-wide quantitative trait loci mapping on Verticilliumw

This study identifies 53 QTLs associated with Verticillium wilt resistance in cotton using CSSLs and detects 32 novel QTL hotspot regions, providing a foundation for genetic analysis and breeding programs.

A Single-Cell Immune Atlas of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Reveals Novel Immune Cell Subsets

The paper performs single-cell RNA sequencing on TNBC tumors to identify novel immune cell subsets and their associations with survival and TCR signaling.

Iron-deficiency and estrogen are associated with ischemic stroke by up-regulating transferrin to induce hypercoagulability

The paper shows that iron-deficiency and estrogen increase transferrin, leading to hypercoagulability and worsened ischemic stroke.

Variation and diversification of the microbiome of Schlechtendalia chinensis on two alternate host plants

This study compares the microbiome of Schlechtendalia chinensis aphids on two host plants, finding distinct bacterial communities associated with each host.