R. K. Ernst

This study identifies a lipid-mediated mechanism by which the mechanosensitive channel MscS inactivates, showing that intercalated lipids physically decouple tension-sensing helices from the gate.

This study modifies Shigella lipid A to reduce endotoxicity while maintaining immunogenicity and invasiveness.

This paper uses FAIMS and Kendrick mass defect plots to characterize the structural diversity of R-type lipopolysaccharides from E. coli J5.

This study shows an intranasal VLP-RBD vaccine with BECC470 adjuvant provides protection against Delta SARS-CoV-2 in mice, with mucosal immunity and reduced lung inflammation.

This study identifies the mechanism by which Kingella kingae galactan is anchored to the bacterial surface via an interaction with an atypical lipopolysaccharide O-antigen.

The paper investigates how position-specific secondary acyl chains on lipid A affect TLR4 and Casp11 activation, revealing distinct structural requirements for each receptor.

The paper compares how human TLR4 and noncanonical inflammasome sensors CASP4/5 respond to different lipid A structures, finding that acylation state differentially affects their activation.

This study shows that MgrB-dependent colistin resistance in K. pneumoniae reduces gut colonization but increases survival outside the host, enhancing transmission.

This study identifies an adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 RBD nanoparticle that induces neutralizing antibodies and full protection in aged mice.

This study identifies bacterial factors, including lipid A structure, that influence the differential targeting of GBPs to Francisella and Shigella.

This study evaluates AH:CpG adjuvant's ability to enhance RBD vaccine efficacy in aged mice and human elder cells, showing strong neutralizing antibody responses and cytokine production.

The paper shows that Pa isolates from older CF patients are outcompeted by Bcc strains due to T6SS-abrogating mutations, increasing susceptibility to Bcc superinfection.