Z. Gitai

Macromolecular interactions and geometrical confinement determine the 3D diffusion of ribosome-sized particles in live Escherichia coli cells

This study tracks ribosome-sized particles in E. coli to show that their 3D diffusion is influenced by macromolecular interactions and geometrical confinement, revealing sub-diffusive motion due to nucleoid and cell boundary constraints.

Prophages block cell surface receptors to ensure survival of their viral progeny

The paper identifies a prophage protein that modulates pilus dynamics to prevent phage progeny destruction, enhancing survival through quorum sensing.

Free-floating Bacteria Transcriptionally Respond to Shear Flow

This study shows free-floating bacteria detect shear flow to alter gene expression, enhancing survival in low oxygen conditions through quorum sensing and oxygen gradient formation.

P. aeruginosa controls both C. elegans attraction and pathogenesis by regulating nitrogen assimilation

This study identifies ammonia as a key mediator of trans-kingdom signaling between P. aeruginosa and C. elegans, showing how bacterial nitrogen assimilation affects both attraction and pathogenesis.

Distinct microcolony morphologies promote flow-dependent bacterial colonization

The paper shows that bacterial species use distinct microcolony morphologies to colonize surfaces under high fluid flow, with S. aureus relying on signaling molecules and E. faecalis on mechanical forces.

Type-IV pili tune an adhesion-migration trade-off during surface colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This study shows that Pseudomonas aeruginosa balances adhesion and migration via type-IV pili, with passive adhesions and T4P dynamics affecting surface colonization efficiency.

CauloKO: an ordered transposon mutant library in Caulobacter crescentus

The paper introduces CauloKO, an ordered transposon mutant library in Caulobacter crescentus, validated by Sanger sequencing and used for phenotypic analysis of biofilm mutants.

Massively-parallel Microbial mRNA Sequencing (M3-Seq) reveals heterogenous behaviors in bacteria at single-cell resolution

The paper introduces M3-Seq, a single-cell RNA-sequencing platform for bacteria, and demonstrates its ability to reveal rare populations and stress response strategies.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa differentiates substrate rigidity using retraction of type IV pili

This study shows Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses type IV pili retraction to sense substrate stiffness, with PilA concentration dynamics linked to transcriptional responses.

Bacterial DNA on the skin surface overrepresents the viable skin microbiome

This study shows that viable bacteria in the skin microbiome are mainly in hair follicles, not on the skin surface, and that surface DNA mostly comes from dead cells.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa detachment from surfaces via a self-made small molecule

This study identifies a Pseudomonas aeruginosa-produced small molecule, MHQ, that disperses surface-attached bacteria by inhibiting Type IV Pili activity.

Acinetobacter baylyi regulates type IV pilus synthesis by employing two extension motors and a motor protein inhibitor

This study identifies two extension motors and an inhibitor for type IV pilus synthesis in Acinetobacter baylyi, challenging the previous belief that only one motor is involved.

A dual-mechanism antibiotic targets Gram-negative bacteria and avoids drug resistance

This paper identifies a dual-mechanism antibiotic, SCH-79797, that kills Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria with low resistance and outperforms combination treatments.

The evolution of bacterial shape complexity by a curvature-inducing module

This study identifies a two-protein module, CrvAB, that autonomously induces bacterial curvature independent of major elongation and division machinery, demonstrating modular shape determinants can drive morphological complexity evolution.

Competitive binding of independent extension and retraction motors explains the quantitative dynamics of type IV pili

The paper quantifies type IV pili dynamics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and shows that extension and retraction are governed by competitive motor binding, with retraction motor unbinding limiting production.

Surface association induces cytotoxic alkyl-quinolones in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This study identifies alkyl-quinolones as surface-induced cytotoxins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and shows their role in virulence regulation.

AimB is a small protein regulator of cell size and MreB assembly

This study identifies AimB as a small protein that inhibits MreB polymerization in Caulobacter crescentus, leading to altered cell shape and MreB delocalization.

Both clinical and environmental Caulobacter species act as opportunistic pathogens

This paper identifies a new Caulobacter species, C. mirare, and shows that multiple Caulobacter strains can infect a model host, suggesting they are opportunistic pathogens.

E. coli translation strategies differ across nutrient conditions

This study shows E. coli uses different translation strategies under carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate limitations to maintain protein production rates while adapting to nutrient availability.

RodZ promotes MreB polymer formation and curvature localization to determine the cylindrical uniformity of E. coli shape

This study shows RodZ regulates MreB polymer number and curvature preference to control E. coli cylindrical uniformity, with quantitative measurements showing strong predictive power for cell shape changes.