Z. Lu

Negatively charged α-Synuclein condensate modulates partitioning of molecules

This study shows that negatively charged α-Synuclein condensates influence molecular partitioning based on charge differences, revealing electrostatic effects on phase separation.

A new yeast-based bioreporter for simple, sensitive, and cost-effective detection of dioxin-like compounds

This study develops a yeast-based bioreporter, DnaSc, for sensitive and cost-effective detection of dioxin-like compounds and AhR agonists with a detection limit of 10 fM for TCDD.

A smartphone-based genetically recombinant whole-cell biosensor for highly sensitive monitoring of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

This paper develops a genetically engineered whole-cell biosensor using E. coli to detect multiple PCB congeners with high sensitivity, and integrates it with a smartphone for real-time monitoring.

Discovery of a Heparan Sulfate Binding Domain in Monkeypox Virus H3 as an Anti-poxviral Drug Target Combining AI and MD Simulations

The paper identifies a conserved heparan sulfate binding domain in MPXV H3 using AI and MD simulations, validates its role in viral adhesion, and demonstrates a protein inhibitor that disrupts this interaction, inhibiting infection in vitro and in vivo.

Skeleton-forming responses of reef-building corals under ocean acidification

This study examines how four coral species form skeletons under acidified conditions, revealing diverse strategies and damage patterns.

Unusual predominance of maintenance DNA methylation in Spirodela polyrhiza

This study shows that Spirodela polyrhiza maintains CG and CHG DNA methylation at repeats without the RdDM pathway or small RNAs, despite losing key methylation genes.

Chromosome-level Subgenome-aware de novo Assembly of Saccharomyces bayanus Provides Insight into Genome Divergence after Hybridization

This study assembles the chromosome-level genome of Saccharomyces bayanus and compares it to its parental species to understand genome divergence after hybridization.

MaizeCODE reveals bi-directionally expressed enhancers that harbor molecular signatures of maize domestication.

The paper identifies bi-directionally expressed enhancers in maize with domestication signatures using integrated epigenomic and transcriptomic data from multiple tissues and inbred lines.

Marine phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria rapidly adapt to future pCO2 conditions in experimental co-cultures

This study shows marine phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria adapt to future CO2 levels in co-cultures, with cyanobacteria showing increased growth and Alteromonas evolving metabolic shifts.

Diversity, Origin and Evolution of the ESCRT Systems

This paper reconstructs the evolution of ESCRT systems in archaea, identifying homologs in Asgardarchaeota and other groups, suggesting an early origin of ESCRT components and their connection to the ubiquitin system.

A CRISPR-Nonhomologous End-Joining-based strategy for rapid and efficient gene disruption in Mycobacterium abscessus

This paper introduces a CRISPR-NHEJ strategy for efficient gene disruption in Mycobacterium abscessus and shows that homologous recombination and single-strand annealing components are required for NHEJ repair.

Recreating the Biological Steps of Viral Infection on a Bioelectronic Platform to Profile Viral Variants of Concern

This paper presents a bioelectronic platform that recreates viral infection steps to identify distinct fusion signatures of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

Deep learning-based aberration compensation improves contrast and resolution in fluorescence microscopy

This paper introduces a deep learning method to correct optical aberrations in fluorescence microscopy, improving image quality and enabling better downstream analysis.

Trogocytosis of cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes pancreatic cancer growth and immune suppression via phospholipid scramblase anoctamin 6 (ANO6).

This study identifies ANO6-mediated trogocytosis as a mechanism by which CAFs transfer lipids to PDAC cells, promoting tumor growth and immune suppression.

Origin of eukaryotic-like Vps23 shapes an ancient functional interplay between ESCRT and ubiquitin system in Asgard archaea

The paper identifies a novel UEV-Vps23 family protein in Asgard archaea that mediates an ancient ESCRT-ubiquitin interplay, suggesting this pathway predates eukaryotic endomembrane systems.

snoRNA-guided tRNA 2'-O-methylation controls codon-biased gene expression and cellular states

Desmoplastic stroma restricts T cell extravasation and mediates immune exclusion and immunosuppression in solid tumors

This study shows that targeting FAP+CAFs in desmoplastic pancreatic tumors reduces stromal barriers, enhances T cell infiltration, and improves response to immunotherapy.

Two-fluid dynamics and micron-thin boundary layers shape cytoplasmic flows in early Drosophila embryos

The paper develops a two-fluid model to explain cytoplasmic flows and nuclear positioning in early Drosophila embryos, revealing new insights into flow dynamics and their functional roles.

Viruses in deep-sea cold seep sediments harbor diverse survival mechanisms and remain genetically conserved within species

The paper examines viral genetic features and evolutionary patterns in deep-sea cold seep sediments, identifying diverse survival strategies and genetic conservation within species.

Multi-omics of the gut microbial ecosystem in the immunotherapy resistance in microsatellite instability-high gastrointestinal cancer patients

The paper uses multi-omics data to identify gut microbiome and metabolite markers of immunotherapy resistance in MSI-H/dMMR gastrointestinal cancer patients and develops a predictive model with 0.83 accuracy.

Excess PrPC inhibits muscle cell differentiation via miRNA-enhanced liquid-liquid phase separation implicated in myopathy

Multiparametric sensing of outer membrane vesicle-derived supported lipid bilayers demonstrates the specificity of bacteriophage interactions

This study demonstrates the use of supported lipid bilayers derived from outer membrane vesicles to monitor specific bacteriophage interactions with bacterial membranes.

CRISPR/FnCas12a-mediated efficient multiplex and iterative genome editing in bacterial plant pathogens without donor DNA templates

This paper develops a CRISPR/Cas12a-based genome editing method for bacterial plant pathogens without donor DNA, enabling efficient gene knockout and multiplex editing in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.

Tracking multiple conformations occurring on angstrom-and-millisecond scales in single amino-acid-transporter molecules

The paper resolves four conformations of the AdiC transporter and quantifies their probabilities using polarization-microscopy, showing comparable KD values to prior methods.

Integrative 4D-conformational mechanisms of single AdiC transporter molecules

The paper uses polarization microscopy to determine the conformational dynamics of AdiC transporter molecules and builds a 4D model of its transport mechanism.

Separation of phosphatase and kinase activity within the Bub complex is required for proper mitosis

This study shows that separating kinase and phosphatase activities in the Bub complex is essential for proper mitosis, as merging these functions leads to mitotic defects.

3D Organic Bioelectronics for Monitoring In Vitro Stem Cell Cultures

This paper develops 3D bioelectronic devices using PEDOT:PSS to non-invasively monitor stem cell growth and proliferation through impedance changes.

Full-length transcriptome maps of reef-building coral illuminate the molecular basis of calcification, symbiosis, and circadian genes

The paper sequenced full-length transcriptomes of four reef-building corals to uncover molecular mechanisms of calcification, symbiosis, and circadian genes.

Peptidoglycan recognition protein S2 is crucial for activation the Toll pathway against Israeli acute paralysis virus infection in honey bee Apis mellifera

This study identifies the Toll pathway as a key antiviral defense in honey bees, with PGRP-S2 acting as a pattern recognition receptor that interacts with viral proteins to activate the pathway against IAPV infection.

Sex-specific transcription and DNA methylation landscapes of the Asian citrus psyllid, a vector of huanglongbing pathogens.

The paper identifies the X chromosome of the Asian citrus psyllid and compares transcription and DNA methylation between male and female adults, finding sex-specific patterns and no direct link between methylation and gene expression.