S. Venkatesan

A fluorescence-based sensor screen identifies MED12 as a potential microsatellite instability regulator in colon cancer

Adaptor protein supersaturation drives innate immune signaling and cell fate

The paper identifies DFD adaptors as energy reservoirs through supersaturation, showing their role in innate immune signaling and cell fate decisions.

Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and its surrogate, bacteriophage Phi6, on surfaces and in water

This study compares the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and its surrogate Phi6 on surfaces and in water, finding Phi6 overestimates infectiousness and deposition solutions significantly affect viral persistence.

The coordination between penicillin-binding protein 1a (PBP1a) and the hydrolytic peptidase DacB determines the integrity of bacterial cell poles

The paper shows that moenomycin inhibits PBP1a2, leading to pole degradation by DacB in Myxococcus xanthus, revealing coordination between PG synthases and hydrolases is critical for cell integrity.

Pathologic polyglutamine aggregation begins with a self-poisoning polymer crystal

This study identifies the structural basis of polyglutamine nucleation, showing that a four-stranded steric zipper initiates aggregation and poisons further growth.

Evolutionary genetics of Drosophila melanogaster immunity: role of the X chromosome and sex-specific dominance

The paper investigates the role of the X chromosome in immune response evolution in Drosophila melanogaster and finds sex-specific dominance patterns in immunity-related alleles.

Spatiotemporal variation in drivers of parasitism in a wild wood mouse population

This study investigates how environmental, host, and within-host factors influence nematode infection intensity in wood mice, finding that season, body condition, and sex are key determinants with varying effects over time.

Supplemented nutrition increases immunity and drug efficacy in a natural host-helminth system

This study shows that dietary supplementation improves immunity and anthelmintic efficacy in wood mice infected with Heligmosomoides polygyrus in both wild and captive settings.

Quantifying nucleation in vivo reveals the physical basis of prion-like phase behavior

The paper quantifies nucleation in living cells using DAmFRET and shows that kinetic barriers influence prion-like phase behavior and protein aggregation.