R. Koga

Defensive fungal symbiosis on insect hindlegs

The paper identifies a novel defensive fungal symbiosis in stinkbugs where females transfer fungi to eggs to protect them from wasp parasitism.

Single mutation makes Escherichia coli an insect mutualist

The paper shows that a single mutation in E. coli enables it to become an insect mutualist by disrupting carbon catabolite repression.

Exploration of novel αβ-protein folds through de novo design

This study predicts and designs novel β-protein folds using topology rules, demonstrating their feasibility and suggesting a vast untapped space of possible folds.

Design of complicated all-α protein structures

This study designs complex all-α protein structures using helix-loop-helix motifs and canonical α-helices, achieving atomic accuracy and thermal stability in solution.

Structural insight into host plasma membrane association and assembly of HIV-1 Matrix protein

This study presents crystal structures of HIV-1 MA domain bound to IP6, revealing its binding mode and interaction with PIP2, providing insights into virion assembly.

Serial femtosecond X-ray diffraction of HIV-1 Gag MA-IP6 microcrystals at ambient temperature

This study uses serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography to analyze HIV-1 Gag MA-IP6 microcrystals at ambient temperature, achieving high-resolution diffraction data.

The structured diversity of specialized gut symbionts of the New World army ants

This study investigates the microbial communities of New World army ants, revealing specialized gut symbionts and their evolutionary history across different host species and geographic regions.

Dramatic differences in gut bacterial densities help to explain the relationship between diet and habitat in rainforest ants

The paper uses fluorescence microscopy and quantitative PCR to estimate microbial abundance in ants, showing gut bacterial density varies widely and correlates with herbivory in canopy-dwelling ants.