R. Russell

Kinetic dissection of pre-crRNA binding and processing by CRISPR-Cas12a

This study quantifies pre-crRNA binding and processing kinetics by Cas12a, revealing key sequence determinants and binding dynamics for crRNA maturation.

Structural basis of Cas12a R-loop propagation on pathway to DNA cleavage

This study uses cryo-EM to capture Cas12a R-loop intermediates, revealing how the enzyme accommodates R-loop extension and coordinates nuclease activation.

Species-specific roles for the MAFA and MAFB transcription factors in regulatingislet β cell identity

The paper investigates the species-specific roles of MAFA and MAFB in maintaining β cell identity, showing MafA in mice and MAFB in humans repress non-β cell hormones like GAST.

Pro-IL-18 secreted by keratinocytes detects the group A streptococcal protease SpeB

The paper shows keratinocytes secrete inert pro-IL-18 which is activated by GAS protease SpeB, triggering an inflammatory response against GAS.

Structural basis for template switching by a group II intron-encoded non-LTR-retroelement reverse transcriptase

This study determines the structure of a group II intron RT template-switching complex, revealing mechanisms of template switching and non-templated addition, and their implications for RNA-seq and retroelement function.

Group A Streptococcus Infection of the Nasopharynx Requires Proinflammatory Signaling Through the Interleukin-1 Receptor

This study shows that IL-1β-mediated inflammation promotes GAS infection of the nasopharynx, contrasting its protective role in skin infections.

Inhibition of CRISPR-Cas12a DNA Targeting by Nucleosomes and Chromatin

This study shows that nucleosomes inhibit CRISPR-Cas12a binding and cleavage, with DNA unwrapping enhancing accessibility and cleavage rates.