R. Arunkumar

The evolution of constitutively active humoral immune defenses in Drosophila populations under high parasite pressure

This study shows that Drosophila populations under high parasite pressure evolved constitutive humoral immunity and enhanced induced immune responses, with Upd3 and JAK/STAT signaling playing key roles.

Prenatal Carotenoid Supplementation with Lutein or Zeaxanthin Ameliorates Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy (OIR) in Bco2-/- Macular Pigment Mice

This study shows prenatal lutein or zeaxanthin supplementation reduces oxygen-induced retinopathy in Bco2-/- mice by lowering vaso-obliteration and intravitreal neovascularization.

Recognition of non-self is necessary to activate Drosophila's immune response against an insect parasite

The paper shows that Drosophila's immune response to parasitoid wasps requires both danger signals from wounding and a PAMP from the wasp to trigger melanization and Tep1 expression.

Recurrent loss of an immunity gene that protects Drosophila against a major natural parasite

The paper identifies recurrent loss-of-function mutations in the Drosophila immunity gene Lectin-24A, showing natural selection favors these mutations in some populations due to a pleiotropic cost of expression.

Transcription factor retention through multiple polyploidisation steps in wheat

The paper tests the gene balance hypothesis by analyzing transcription factor retention in wheat polyploids and finds TFs are preferentially retained as functional homoeologs.

Constitutive activation of cellular immunity underlies the evolution of resistance to infection

The paper shows that Drosophila populations evolved resistance to parasitism by making immune-inducible genes constitutively active through the pre-differentiation of immune cells.