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Journal articleNesbit ML, Montauban C, Windram F, et al., 2026,
Mapping global bee research with traits and plant-pollinator interaction networks
, Scientific Reports, Vol: 16, ISSN: 2045-2322Bees sustain key functions in natural ecosystems and agricultural landscapes, yet our understanding of their ecology is typically informed from studies concentrated on a few model taxa. To reveal how this may be biasing our understanding of bee responses and function in the environment we quantify global patterns of research attention across 69,682 bee-related publications to test whether research effort aligns with plant-pollinator network centrality, trait variation, public interest, and socio-economic context. Human managed bees take up most of the research effort; importantly this trend has been increasing over time. Plant–pollinator network centrality is unrelated to research effort; here we reveal genera with high centrality but low research attention as prime candidates for future study. Both pollinator management and sociality have an impact on research effort. Excluding Apis and Bombus (the most traditionally researched genera), managed bee genera are the focus of twice as many papers as wild genera, with the managed share rising over time. Our study reveals and quantifies persistent global research biases and highlights the need for monitoring, risk assessment, and policies that target neglected yet structurally central genera in plant-pollinator interaction networks.
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Journal articleBueno AS, Mendenhall CD, Anciães M, et al., 2026,
High-quality surrounding landscapes mitigate avian extirpations from forest remnants.
, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, Vol: 123The species-area relationship (SAR) has long been used to predict extirpation rates from habitat loss, but these rates depend not only on habitat area but also on the surrounding landscape and species' habitat specialization. We collated global data from forest islands created by river damming and forest fragments resulting from clear-cut deforestation to examine the effects of matrix type (aquatic or terrestrial) and tree cover on avian SARs. Unlike oceanic islands, which are often millions of years old, anthropogenic forest islands provide a contemporary analog to forest fragments to understand matrix effects on SARs and serve as a baseline for worst-case scenarios of forest fragmentation. Our database comprises 50 datasets from 45 studies conducted in tropical and subtropical regions, totaling 1,954 bird species detected through 39,197 incidence records from 336 forest islands and 669 forest fragments. We found that bird extirpation rates were lower in fragments than on islands, especially for forest-dependent species compared to all species. Species losses were further reduced by increasing tree cover around forest remnants at local landscape scales of 300 m, highlighting the importance of small-scale conservation strategies. Moreover, even small forest fragments with greater nearby tree cover held high conservation value, emphasizing the crucial role of the surrounding landscape in mitigating avian extirpations from forest remnants. Beyond protecting forest remnants themselves, area-based conservation efforts would therefore be greatly enhanced by improving matrix quality and expanding tree cover in otherwise hostile landscapes.
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Journal articleMansfield TM, Zarsav A, Cox F, et al., 2026,
Ecological and genomic variation in ectomycorrhizal fungal exploration types.
, New PhytolEctomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) produce mycelia with variable extension and complexity, which can be classified according to soil 'exploration types' (ETs). ETs have received attention as one of the few mycorrhizal trait frameworks, but without an empirical classification of ET functional diversity and environmental preferences, understanding and interpreting EMF biogeographic patterns has been difficult. We conducted a synthesis combining: comparative EMF genomics to describe functional divergence in decomposition and nutrient cycling genes across ETs; and EMF trait distribution modeling across continental Europe, pairing soil and root EMF surveys to establish biogeographic ET niche profiles. We demonstrate a signature of ETs encoded in EMF genomes, which is independent from phylogeny and linked to biomass production strategies. EMF ET relative abundances were separated by soil, root, and dominant tree leaf type habitats and exhibited unique correlations with forest biotic (e.g. plant productivity and plant pathogen densities) and abiotic (e.g. nitrogen deposition and soil pH) conditions. These findings support a theory that EMF niche partitioning can be partially explained by extraradical mycelial traits, with underlying variation in ET biogeography likely arising from distinct decomposition and nutrient cycling potentials. We also identify important limitations to this trait framework and provide a guided outlook for future research.
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Journal articleGarner BH, Scott A, Vogler AP, 2026,
Beetles, barcodes and big data: A deep dive into the phylogeny of Harpalinae (Carabidae)
, Systematic Entomology, Vol: 51, ISSN: 0307-6970The ground beetles (Carabidae) are a highly species-rich lineage of the Coleoptera, with over half of their diversity concentrated in the ~20,000 described species in the subfamily Harpalinae sensu lato. As a presumed recent radiation lacking deeply distinct morphological divisions, their taxonomic classification has been challenging, while molecular studies remain limited in the number of genes and taxa sampled. Using ~450 mitochondrial genome sequences from across the Carabidae and the major biogeographic realms we investigate the tribal relationships in Harpalinae. Our phylogenetic analysis supports a revised system that broadly divides the harpalines into two major reciprocally monophyletic lineages, corresponding to a narrowly defined Harpalinae sensu novo and a distinct Lebiinae. Within Harpalinae, we recover well-supported subclades that mostly represent existing tribes (e.g., Harpalini, Pterostichini, Licinini, Platynini), while clades in Lebiinae required the recognition of three new or redefined clades: Lebiini, Agrini and Odacanthini. We also establish the polyphyletic status of the ‘Truncatipennes’ defined by truncated elytra and traditionally encompassing most ‘lebiomorphs’, which are split into the Lebiinae and at least two additional lineages, corresponding to the Dryptinae and Brachininae (bombardier beetles) branching below the Harpalinae + Lebiinae clade. The mitogenome data were extended to include ~7000 species of Carabidae by adding all available cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) barcodes and other legacy sequences. The resulting phylogeny broadly concurs with the tribal boundaries defined by mitogenomes and provides a curated barcode reference library for species identification. The unprecedented scale of mitogenome sequencing, combined with dense taxon sampling of barcodes, resolves a particularly complex portion of the beetle tree-of-life.
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Journal articleYuen ELH, Bozkurt TO, 2026,
Autophagy in the arms race: how pathogen effectors rewire immunity in plants.
, Open Biol, Vol: 16Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved recycling process that underpins cellular homeostasis and stress resilience in eukaryotes. In the context of plant-pathogen interactions, autophagy has emerged as a key regulatory hub linking immunity, metabolism and programmed cell death. Recent discoveries reveal that diverse virulence factors, or effectors, from a wide range of pathogens target the host autophagy machinery to manipulate cellular responses for their own benefit. On the one hand, selective autophagy functions as a critical component of plant immunity by directly eliminating intracellular pathogens and pathogen-derived molecules, while also degrading negative regulators of immune pathways, thereby strengthening host defences. On the other hand, many pathogens subvert autophagic processes through their effector arsenal: some suppress autophagic degradation to evade immune clearance or maintain host cell viability, whereas others hijack autophagic membranes and signalling components to promote replication and nutrient acquisition. Together, these findings establish autophagy as a central battleground in the molecular arms race between plants and their pathogens. Understanding how effector-autophagy interfaces shape infection outcomes will be critical for engineering disease resistance and for redefining the multifaceted roles of autophagy in plant immunity.
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Journal articleQiao S, Harrison SP, Prentice IC, et al., 2026,
Adaptive sowing helps mitigate future wheat losses globally
, Earth's Future, Vol: 14, ISSN: 2328-4277The escalating effect of climate change on crop yields necessitates urgent adaptation measures. Shifting sowing dates is emerging as one cost-effective adaptation strategy. However, the implications for global wheat yields are unclear. Here, we use an optimality-based model, assuming farmers select sowing dates to maximize yields, to quantify changes in wheat sowing dates and potential grain yields by the 2090s under two climatic scenarios (SSP126 and SSP370). We find that the optimal wheat sowing dates are affected by climate change, primarily driven by temperature norms and warming trends. Global warming prompts earlier sowing (10–20 days) and even a switch from spring to winter wheat in cold areas, while strong warming delays sowing (20–40 days). Scenario modeling shows climate change is projected to negatively impact wheat potential yields under both moderate (−2.4%, SSP126) and strong (−7.8%, SSP370) warming scenarios. Adaptive sowing dates coupled with CO2 fertilization could mitigate these losses and even enhance yields, resulting in a +5.6% increase in potential yield for SSP126 and a +12.4% for SSP370. However, the benefits are not uniformly distributed across regions, with hotter and less developed regions—such as sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America—facing heightened risks of yield decline. Our findings suggest that simple adaptation strategies could help address the challenges posed by climate change for agricultural production and emphasize the need for region-specific adaptation policies to ensure equitable climate resilience in agriculture.
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Journal articleR Ellis H, Behrends V, Larrouy-Maumus G, et al., 2026,
Glutathione impacts Hfq condensation in nitrogen starved Escherichia coli
, Journal of Bacteriology, Vol: 208, ISSN: 0021-9193Nitrogen (N) is essential for bacterial growth, and adaptation to N starvation involves extensive reprogramming of metabolism and gene expression. A hallmark subcellular feature in long-term N-starved Escherichia coli cells is the presence of biomolecular condensates of the major bacterial RNA regulator Hfq. The Hfq condensates, which accumulate gradually during N starvation, contribute to adaptation by modulating RNA metabolism and central metabolic pathways. Metabolites play central roles in stress responses, often acting as modulators of protein function to support survival and recovery. Glutathione (GSH), a universal stress protectant, has broad roles in bacterial stress adaptation, yet its function during N starvation remains unexplored. Using a GSH-deficient mutant (ΔgshAB), we show that GSH is required for optimal survival and recovery from prolonged N starvation. We reveal that GSH regulates the temporal dynamics of Hfq condensation and dissipation during N starvation and recovery from N starvation, respectively, via an as-yet unknown mechanism. However, the contribution of GSH to survival during and recovery from N starvation and Hfq condensation dynamics seems to be unlinked. Overall, the results point to a role for GSH in the adaptive response to N starvation, potentially extending its canonical function as a stress protectant.IMPORTANCENitrogen is a vital nutrient for bacterial growth. When nitrogen becomes scarce, bacteria must quickly adapt to survive. Escherichia coli forms tiny structures called Hfq condensates, which help manage genetic information flow and metabolism. Small molecules called metabolites aid bacteria in coping with stress, and one such molecule, glutathione (GSH), protects cells under various stress conditions. GSH’s role during nitrogen starvation is unknown. We used an E. coli mutant unable to produce GSH and found that these bacteria struggle to survive and recover from nitrogen starvation. We also discovered that GSH
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Journal articleDellavalle A, Devenish AJM, Jarrett C, et al., 2026,
Shifting baselines increase the risk of misinterpreting biodiversity trends
, Ecography, Vol: 2026, ISSN: 0906-7590Ecological studies quantifying the impact of land-use change on biodiversity may be sensitive to the choice of reference points – or baselines – particularly when sampling across human land-use gradients and other space-for-time comparisons. Much depends on whether the chosen baseline has already undergone shifts in species composition because of hunting, habitat loss and degradation. However, few studies have assessed the influence of shifting baselines on estimates of anthropogenic impacts. Using new survey data from five West African land-use gradients, we examine how habitat patch size and structure influences the estimated impact of land-use change on bird species richness and functional diversity. We show that smaller forests have already lost many forest-dependent birds, particularly those with large body size or specialised ecological niches, leading to reduced estimates of biodiversity loss after deforestation. The steepest biodiversity loss was found in mid-sized forests whereas relatively shallow declines were estimated for the most extensive forests – despite their richer taxonomic and functional diversity. In these larger forest blocks, accurate estimates of biodiversity loss may require longer transects extending beyond the biodiversity ‘shadow' caused by the more extensive spillover of forest species into the surrounding landscape, potentially linked to source–sink dynamics. These findings suggest that biodiversity assessments are highly sensitive to baseline selection and transect design, highlighting the risk of underestimating land-use impacts unless shifting baselines are carefully considered.
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Journal articleHedger G, Lyman E, Rouse SL, 2026,
Ligand-like lipid interactions with membrane proteins: simulations and machine learning
, Current Opinion in Structural Biology, Vol: 97, ISSN: 0959-440XMembrane lipids can bind to specific sites on membrane proteins in a ligand-like manner and modulate protein structure and function. Molecular dynamics simulations encompass a suite of approaches to identify, characterise, and explain the atomic-level mechanisms that underlie the functional effects of ligand-like lipids on membrane proteins. Simulations have shown good agreement with available structural data on lipid-protein interactions. Building on successes, simulations are now used to identify new interactions and mechanisms de novo for a given membrane protein. In this age of abundance, it is increasingly possible to analyse patterns across large groups of proteins and in ever more complex membrane environments. The dawn of machine learning approaches in lipid-protein cofolding holds considerable promise to synergistically capitalise on this availability of simulation data and uncover new facets of ligand-like lipid biology.
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Journal articleXu H, Wang H, Prentice IC, et al., 2026,
Global variation in the ratio of sapwood to leaf area explained by optimality principles
, New Phytologist, Vol: 250, Pages: 181-193, ISSN: 0028-646X• The sapwood area supporting a given leaf area (Huber value, vH) reflects the coupling between carbon uptake and water transport and loss at a whole-plant level. Geographic variation in vH presumably reflect plant strategic adaptations but the lack of a general explanation for such variation hinders its representation in vegetation models and assessment of how its impact on the global carbon and water cycles. • Here we develop a simple hydraulic trait model to predict optimal vH by matching stem water supply and leaf water loss, and test its performance against two extensive plant hydraulic datasets. • We show that our eco-evolutionary optimality-based model explains nearly 60% of global vH variation in response to light, vapour pressure deficit, temperature and sapwood conductivity. Enhanced hydraulic efficiency with warmer temperatures reduces the sapwood area required to support a given leaf area, whereas high irradiance (supporting increased photosynthetic capacity) and drier air increase it. • This study thus provides a route to modelling variation in functional traits through the coordination of carbon uptake and water transport processes.
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Journal articleBevan PA, BanksLeite C, Kovac M, et al., 2026,
Robotics‐assisted acoustic surveys could deliver reliable, landscape‐level biodiversity insights
, Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, Vol: 12, Pages: 260-274, ISSN: 2056-3485Terrestrial remote sensing approaches, such as acoustic monitoring, deliver finely resolved and reliable biodiversity data. However, the scalability of surveys is often limited by the effort, time and cost needed to deploy, maintain and retrieve sensors. Autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or drones) are emerging as a promising tool for fully autonomous data collection, but there is considerable scope for their further use in ecology. In this study, we explored whether a novel approach to UAV-based acoustic monitoring could detect biodiversity patterns across a varied tropical landscape in Costa Rica. We simulated surveys of UAVs employing intermittent locomotion-based sampling strategies on an existing dataset of 26,411 h of audio recorded from 341 static sites, with automated detections of 19 bird species (n = 1819) and spider monkey (n = 2977) vocalizations. We varied the number of UAVs deployed in a single survey (sampling intensity) and whether the UAVs move between sites randomly, in a pre-determined route to minimize travel time, or by adaptively responding to real-time detections (sampling strategy), and measured the impact on downstream ecological analyses. We found that avian species detections and spider monkey occupancy were not impacted by sampling strategy, but that sampling intensity had a strong influence on downstream metrics. Whilst our simulated UAV surveys were effective in capturing broad biodiversity trends, such as spider monkey occupancy and avian habitat associations, they were less suited for exhaustive species inventories, with rare species often missed at low sampling intensities. As autonomous UAV systems and acoustic AI analyses become more reliable and accessible, our study shows that combining these technologies could deliver valuable biodiversity data at scale.
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Journal articleKientega M, Kaboré H, Sawadogo G, et al., 2026,
Genomic insights into the spread and evolution of insecticide resistance variants in Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Burkina Faso.
, Sci Rep, Vol: 16The intensive use of insecticide-based control tools has led to the rapid evolution of resistant phenotypes in malaria vector populations. Understanding the evolutionary processes underlying these resistances is essential to inform the development and deployment of effective control interventions. This study investigated the geographical spread and the genetic background of insecticide resistance variants in Anopheles gambiae s.l. in Burkina Faso. The study identified five pyrethroid-resistant mutations (995F, 995S, 402L(g > t,c), 1527T and 1570Y) at high frequencies. Six diplotype groups were identified, including novel combinations of the resistance-associated alleles (995F, 402L(g > t,c) and 1527T), which formed new genotypes within An. coluzzii populations. These results suggest the emergence of new resistance genotypes in An. coluzzii that are not associated with 995F, probably due to recombination and gene flow events. Interestingly, strong linkage disequilibrium (r2 = 0.821) was observed between 1527T and 402L(g > t) compared to 1527T and 402L(g > c). The PCA revealed three clusters of An. coluzzii populations, driven by 995F, 402L(g > t,c) and 1527T. Other insecticide resistance associated variants such as copy number variations and SNPs in the Ace1 gene (ace1-G280S), cytochrome P450s, esterases and glutathione S-transferases were identified at high frequencies in the same mosquito populations, indicating the intensity and diversity of resistance mechanisms in the country. The study underscores the extent and spreads of insecticide resistance variants in Burkina Faso. It highlights the importance of genomic surveillance of malaria vectors to monitor and detect new resistance variants and to understand the evolutionary processes in vector populations.
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Journal articleLi Z, Chawla H, Di Vagno L, et al., 2026,
Xylosyltransferase engineering to manipulate proteoglycans in mammalian cells.
, Nat Chem Biol, Vol: 22, Pages: 612-621Mammalian cells receive signaling instructions through interactions on their surfaces. Proteoglycans are critical to these interactions, carrying long glycosaminoglycans that recruit signaling molecules. Biosynthetic redundancy in the first glycosylation step by two xylosyltransferases XT1/2 complicates annotation of proteoglycans. Here we develop a chemical genetic strategy that manipulates the glycan attachment site of cellular proteoglycans. Through a bump-and-hole tactic, we engineer the two isoenzymes XT1 and XT2 to specifically transfer the chemically tagged xylose analog 6AzGlc to target proteins. The tag contains a bioorthogonal functionality, allowing to visualize and profile target proteins in mammalian cells. Unlike xylose analogs, 6AzGlc is amenable to cellular nucleotide-sugar biosynthesis, establishing the XT1/2 bump-and-hole tactic in cells. The approach allows pinpointing glycosylation sites by mass spectrometry and exploiting the chemical handle to manufacture proteoglycans with defined glycosaminoglycan chains for cellular applications. Engineered XT enzymes permit an orthogonal view into proteoglycan biology through conventional techniques in biochemistry.
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Journal articleSanchez-Garrido J, 2026,
Commensals join the effector game.
, Nat Immunol, Vol: 27, Pages: 649-651 -
Journal articleCooke R, Burton VJ, Brown C, et al., 2026,
Future scenarios for British biodiversity under climate and land-use change.
, Nat Commun, Vol: 17Projections of biodiversity futures are needed to translate global policies into national action. We use dissimilarity modelling to project climate change scenarios for 1002 plant, 56 butterfly, and 219 bird species across Great Britain up to 2080. Under all scenarios we find extensive community reorganisation, with the disappearance of current bioclimates and emergence of novel ones. We also explore impacts of combined climate and land-use change, finding that even optimistic scenarios could see accumulating extinction debts. Scenarios featuring reduced emissions and a more sustainable society could bend the curve of loss, reducing species heading for extinction by 32% for plants, 14% for butterflies, and 20% for birds. Scenarios differ in impact between groups, with plants showing the most severe responses to environmental change. Overall, we show that actions taken during the next 20 years are crucial to mitigate the worst effects of climate and land-use change for biodiversity in Britain.
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Journal articleZhao L, Sweeney M, Carpenter L, et al., 2026,
Psychosocial and behavioral correlates of persistent pain post disease-modifying treatment change in rheumatoid arthritis: a 12-month cohort study.
, Adv Rheumatol, Vol: 66BACKGROUND: Pain is a debilitating and persistent symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), associated with impaired functional capacity and reduced quality of life. Despite targeted disease-modifying treatments, many RA patients experience persistent pain, suggesting mechanisms operating independently of classic inflammatory pathways. Psychological factors, such as depression and anxiety, can impact patterns of appraisal and behavioral coping strategies. Understanding how these associations underpin pain symptoms in RA is key for developing targeted symptom management interventions. Using data from the Patient-Reported Outcomes in patients with Persistent Rheumatoid Arthritis (PROsPer-RA) cohort, pain trends were assessed over 12 months following disease-modifying adjustment, mapping these against socioeconomic, psychological, and behavioral factors to identify associations and mechanisms. METHODS: This prospective study followed RA patients recruited to PROsPer-RA switching or escalating disease-modifying treatment. Clinical and patient-reported outcomes were collected at baseline, 3, and 12 months, including disease activity, joint pain (visual analog scale), widespread pain index (WPI), depression and anxiety symptoms, and cognitive and behavioral responses to symptoms. Latent growth curve models estimated associations between predictor variables and pain outcomes at baseline and over time. Mediation analyses examined whether cognitive and behavioral responses mediated the relationship between depression/anxiety symptoms and pain outcomes. RESULTS: Among 209 eligible patients, baseline joint pain was 49.8 [Formula: see text] 24.9 out of 100 (worst pain) and WPI was 4.9 [Formula: see text] 3.6 out of 17 areas, which persisted at similar levels at 3 and 12 months. Higher baseline pain was associated with male gender, financial stress, lower education, and unemployment. Higher levels in both pain outcomes associated with worse depression and anxiety symptoms at baselin
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Journal articleBrito-Dias V, Bianchi R, Martello F, et al., 2026,
Temporal stability of vegetation across agricultural land uses enhances small non-volant mammal occurrence in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
, Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment, Vol: 398, ISSN: 0167-8809Agricultural landscapes are inherently dynamic and comprise a variety of land uses which can influence species persistence in fragmented landscapes of biodiversity hotspots, such as the Atlantic Forest. Although land use and land cover (LULC) maps may provide useful information for investigations on the effects of landscape changes on biodiversity, they overlook heterogeneity and ignore temporal variation within land cover classes. Meanwhile, vegetation indices derived from satellite imagery capture aspects of habitat heterogeneity at fine scales deemed homogeneous by traditional land-cover classifications. Here, we modeled the occupancy of 21 species of small non-volant mammals captured in agricultural landscapes in a region of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, using both landscape metrics derived from a standard LULC map and metrics of spatial and temporal variability in vegetation productivity and heterogeneity (contrast) derived from the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). Small mammal occupancy was predicted equally well by models based either on LULC map or on EVI derived metrics. We found strong evidence for a positive effect of forest patch density, and negative effects of mosaic of uses cover (LULC map-derived metrics) and of contrast temporal variation (EVI-derived metric). However, consistent evidence across models was observed only for contrast temporal variation. Our results indicate that landscapes where land uses maintain more stable vegetation characteristics throughout the year can support a greater number of species with diverse habitat requirements. Using EVI-derived metrics to capture detailed spatiotemporal changes in vegetation provided complementary insights about the aspects of anthropogenic land use driving biodiversity patterns in these agroecosystems.
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Journal articleHe S, Ishimoto N, Wong J, et al., 2026,
H pilin cyclisation and pilus biogenesis are promiscuous but electrostatic perturbations impair conjugation efficiency
, Nature Communications, Vol: 17, ISSN: 2041-1723During conjugation, plasmid DNA is transferred from donor to recipient bacteria via the plasmid-encoded mating pilus, formed as thin helical assemblies of polymerised pilin subunits. In the IncHI1 R27 plasmid-encoded pilus, the TrhA pilin undergoes cyclisation (via a peptide bond between Gly1 and Asp69), essential for conjugation. Gly1 and Asp69 are exposed on the pilus surface and conserved in all TrhA pilins in the Plascad database. Substituting Asp69 with Asn, Ala, Gly, or Arg does not prevent cyclisation or pilus formation, which remains structurally indistinguishable from the wild type. Conjugation efficiency of the Asp69 substitutions across multiple recipient species correlates with side chain size, in the order Asp69Asn > Asp69Ala > Asp69Gly. However, Asp69Arg, as well as Asp69Lys and Gly1Lys substitutions abolish conjugation, likely due to the positively charged pilus surface (opposite to the wild-type negative charge) forming unfavourable electrostatic interactions with the recipient outer membrane’s inner leaflet, composed solely of zwitterionic phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Consistently, conjugation is rescued in recipients lacking PE. These findings indicate strong selective pressure to maintain Gly1 and Asp69, as efficient DNA transfer depends on precise electrostatic and steric constraints of the pilus surface.
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Journal articleChen Y-F, Lin K-Y, Huang C-Y, et al., 2026,
Subcellular calcium dynamics and organelle perturbations in resistosome-mediated cell death.
, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, Vol: 123Plant nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat-containing (NLR) proteins act as intracellular immune receptors that assemble into resistosomes to execute immune responses. However, the subcellular processes during cell death following resistosome activation remain unclear. Here, we visualized the changes in calcium signaling and organelle behavior after activation of the NRC4 (NLR required for cell death 4) resistosome. We found that NRC4 membrane enrichment coincided with calcium influx. This is followed by sequential mitochondria and plastid disruption, endoplasmic reticulum fragmentation, and cytoskeleton depolymerization. Subsequent loss of plasma membrane integrity, nuclear shrinkage, and vacuolar collapse mark the terminal stage of cell death. Our findings reveal a spatiotemporally resolved cascade of subcellular events downstream of resistosome activation, providing mechanistic insight into the execution phase of plant immune cell death.
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Journal articleAlonso A, Kirkegaard JB, Endres RG, 2026,
Reply to van Haastert: Local competition between Ras/actin-driven protrusions.
, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, Vol: 123 -
Journal articleXu V, McInnes A, Wake M, et al., 2026,
Structural basis for Rep-mediated adeno-associated virus packaging
, Cell Reports, Vol: 45, ISSN: 2211-1247Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are parvoviruses utilized as gene therapy vectors. However, the AAV packaging mechanism is unresolved at the molecular level, creating a bottleneck for vector manufacturing, safety, and efficacy. Here, cryo-EM structures of the Rep helicase packaging motor in complex with the packaging marker DNA (ITR) and the Rep-AAV8 capsid complex are presented. Rep-ITR complexes reveal dynamic oligomeric states on the DNA, elucidating the strand separation mechanism coupled to its ATPase cycle. We observe Rep preferentially bound to empty capsids, with a binding interface likely conserved across the virus family. This complex also unveils a cryptic capsid ATP-binding site which, alongside Rep binding, triggers structural rearrangements priming the capsid for packaging. Collectively, these findings advance the understanding of Rep-mediated packaging, with significant implications for parvovirus virology and viral vector design.
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Journal articleAdams G, Tissot FS, Liu C, et al., 2026,
Practical AI-based cell extraction and spatial statistics for large 3D bone marrow tissue images.
, Cell Rep Methods, Vol: 6Although the molecular regulation of hematopoiesis is well characterized, the spatial organization of hematopoietic cells within bone marrow (BM) remains unclear. Advances in microscopy have produced increasingly detailed images of murine BM, yet accurate and scalable methods to extract and analyze these complex datasets are limited. We present PACESS, a computational workflow for BM analysis that combines convolutional neural networks for 2D cell detection and classification with an automated method to extrapolate into 3D, spatial statistical analyses to define tissue regions based on local cell-type densities, and logistic regression to assess whether the relative abundances of cell types reflect reciprocal dependencies. Using PACESS, we investigate the spatial organization of T cells, megakaryocytes, and leukemic cells, revealing that distinct leukemic clusters generate diverse, previously unrecognized neighborhoods within the same BM cavity. PACESS, thus, provides a powerful tool to dissect BM architecture.
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Journal articleAdams G, Tissot F, Liu C, et al., 2026,
Practical AI-based cell extraction and spatialstatistics for large 3D bone marrow tissue images
, Cell Reports: Methods, Vol: 6, ISSN: 2667-2375Although the molecular regulation of hematopoiesis is well characterized, the spatial organization of hematopoietic cells within bone marrow (BM) remains unclear. Advances in microscopy have produced increasingly detailed images of murine BM, yet accurate and scalable methods to extract and analyze these complex datasets are limited. The high cellular density of the BM complicates image segmentation, and current spatial analyses are often restricted to pairwise comparisons, unsuitable for investigating interactions between more than two cell types simultaneously. To overcome these limitations, we developed PACESS, a readily applicable neural network-based framework that classifies hundreds of thousands of cells in 3D BM samples and applies spatial statistical methods to evaluate multicellular interactions. Using PACESS, we investigate the spatial organization of T cells, megakaryocytes and leukemic cells, revealing that distinct leukemic clusters generate diverse, previously unrecognized neighborhood within the same BM cavity. PACESS thus provides a powerful tool to dissect BM architecture.
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Journal articleBiswas P, Matange N, Samanta S, et al., 2026,
The metallophosphoesterase Rv0805 regulates carbon flux and cell envelope homeostasis during growth of mycobacteria in propionate
, Journal of Bacteriology, Vol: 208, ISSN: 0021-9193Mycobacterium tuberculosis relies on host-derived lipids, including cholesterol, for intracellular survival, generating propionyl-CoA—a metabolite that must be efficiently assimilated to prevent toxicity. The metallophosphoesterase Rv0805 is required for optimal growth on cholesterol, and an Rv0805 knockout strain exhibits impaired ability to colonize the murine lung. However, the mechanisms underlying the essential role of Rv0805 under host-relevant conditions remain unclear. The deletion of the rv0805 ortholog (bcg_0857) in Mycobacterium bovis BCG reveals that both its catalytic activity and membrane localization are essential for growth on propionate, a by-product of cholesterol metabolism. Loss of Rv0805 impaired propionate uptake, altered cell envelope lipid composition with an accumulation of methyl-branched lipids, and reduced carbon flux through the methylcitrate cycle, ultimately depleting key central carbon metabolites required for growth. Vitamin B12 supplementation activated the methylmalonyl pathway, restoring metabolic balance and rescuing growth. These findings demonstrate that Rv0805 links propionate metabolism with cell envelope integrity, identifying its activity and localization as metabolic vulnerabilities that could be exploited for tuberculosis therapy.
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Journal articleMolaei S, Poon KC, Gao C, et al., 2026,
Graph-Based Machine Learning Identifies Oxygenated Block Polymer Replacements for Conventional Plastics and Elastics.
, J Am Chem Soc, Vol: 148, Pages: 10934-10944Oxygenated block polymers, comprising esters and carbonates, are priority materials to replace petrochemical polymers in a circular plastics economy. These materials should repopulate the thermomechanical property space mapped by current plastics and elastomers. Here, a novel machine learning approach, PolyReco, predicts structures of oxygenated block polymers meeting the mechanical performance thresholds for widely used and hard-to-replace petroleum derived hydrocarbon polymers. Triblock oxygenated polymers are represented as graphs, and a link prediction algorithm enables feature extraction to identify new block polymer combinations, and associated degrees of polymerization, to meet the target properties. PolyReco is paired with a visualization tool for further material down selection based on user requirements. Three case studies highlight and experimentally validate its predictive power for identifying high-performance oxygenated block polymers, with new block polymers prepared and tested. These new block polymers exhibit tensile mechanical properties in the range of high-impact polystyrene, poly(dimethylsiloxane), and styrenic elastomers; the experimental results indicate that PolyReco may help support the identification of sustainable materials that could reduce dependence on fossil-based polymer incumbents.
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Journal articleSharma AA, Martinou AF, Cadar D, et al., 2026,
Integrated vector and arbovirus surveillance in Cyprus: first reports of Usutu virus and Culex pipiens bioform diversity highlight potential for zoonotic arbovirus transmission.
, Parasit Vectors, Vol: 19BACKGROUND: Anthropogenic pressures, including urbanisation, globalisation and climate change, have facilitated an increased risk for emergence or re-emergence of mosquito-borne diseases into regions such as the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Cyprus is a major stop-over site for migratory birds and has previously experienced outbreaks of West Nile virus (WNV). The island has native mosquito vector populations; however, it has also seen the recent establishment of invasive Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. Given the dynamic climatic conditions and the shifting ecological and epidemiological landscapes in the region, the need for routine vector and pathogen surveillance has never been more critical. METHODS: Herein, we present the results from localised adult mosquito surveillance that were conducted in two cities of Cyprus between 2019 and 2022. Mosquito taxa were identified through morphological analysis, and molecular techniques were used to further characterise the Culex pipiens bioforms. Engorged mosquito midguts were analysed to determine host blood meals. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing was employed to screen mosquito pools for arboviruses. RESULTS: Our results provide the first report of Usutu virus in Cx. pipiens mosquitoes in Cyprus. Blood meal analysis identified multiple vertebrate hosts, including Cetti's warbler, a bird species previously reported to be seropositive for WNV on the island. Additionally, we report the presence of both Cx. pipiens pipiens and Cx. pipiens molestus, an ornithophilic and a mammophilic bioform, respectively, as well as their hybrids. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced mosquito surveillance strategies where mosquito populations will be regularly screened for pathogens to mitigate emerging risks of arbovirus transmission in Cyprus.
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OtherGao M, Sandoval D, Prentice IC, 2026,
Separating stomatal and non-stomatal responses of gross primary productivity to soil moisture
<jats:p>Soil moisture is a major constraint on terrestrial gross primary productivity (GPP). In this study, we propose and test two hypotheses to explain how soil moisture limits carbon uptake: 1) plants reduce stomatal conductance around midday to conserve water, leading to a temporary decline in internal CO₂ concentration and photosynthesis; and 2) water stress causes a more general reduction in photosynthetic capacity, expressed as a decrease in the quantum efficiency of photosynthesis (φ₀), thereby lowering GPP throughout the day. Here, we combine Eco-Evolutionary Optimality (EEO) Theory with eddy covariance observations to separate and quantify stomatal and non-stomatal responses of GPP to soil moisture. Our results show that both midday stomatal closure and photosynthetic capacity suppression coexist, supporting both hypotheses, with their relative importance strongly modulated by soil moisture. Across most sites, the magnitude of midday GPP depression weakens with increasing soil moisture, indicating that stomatal responses are more sensitive under low soil moisture conditions. In addition, photosynthetic capacity increases with soil moisture, contributing to an overall enhancement of daily GPP. By explicitly separating stomatal and non-stomatal pathways through which soil moisture affects carbon uptake, this study provides a mechanistic explanation for the more conservative water use strategies observed in plants from dry climates and improves the representation of diurnal GPP dynamics in water-limited ecosystems.</jats:p>
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OtherHarrison SP, Cain S, Ding R, et al., 2026,
An eco-evolutionary approach to modelling wildfire regimes
<jats:p>Wildfires are ubiquitous and an integral part of the Earth System, vital for maintaining the biodiversity and functioning of many ecosystems. Wildfire-induced changes in vegetation and landscape properties also have important feedbacks to climate through modulating water- and energy-exchanges and the carbon cycle. The current state-of-the-art global models used to predict how wildfires might behave in a changing climate capture some aspects of wildfire behaviour, but are poor at simulating fire seasonality, interannual variability and extreme fires, in large part because they do not adequately capture the vegetation-wildfire interactions regulating fire occurrence. Eco-evolutionary optimality approaches are increasingly being used to provide simple but robust models of vegetation functioning, and here we extend this approach to modelling wildfires.Fuel availability and fuel dryness are consistently shown to be the primary drivers of wildfire occurrence, intensity and burnt area. Differences in the timing of fuel build up and drying determine the optimal time for wildfire occurrence and give rise to pyroclimates with distinct wildfire regimes. The phase difference in the seasonal time course and magnitude of gross primary production (GPP) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) is used to provide a measure of the “propensity to burn”, which in turn can be translated into a probability for fire occurrence. An EEO-based model of the seasonal cycle of GPP is then used to derive litter fall and hence the inputs to dead fuel loads along with an empirically based formulation of decomposition to determine changes in the actual dead fuel load through time. We use an EEO-based model of biomass production efficiency to derive tree and grass cover, where the grass cover and dead fuel load together will determine the incidence of ground fires and tree cover the incidence of crown fires. We show that this simple model produces realistic simulations of spatial
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OtherSandoval D, Orme D, Prentice IC, 2026,
Right answers for the wrong Reasons? Testing water use efficiency responses in terrestrial biosphere models
<jats:p>Water-use efficiency (WUE) quantifies the ratio of CO₂ assimilation to transpiration, reflecting the trade-off between carbon gain and water loss. It therefore provides key information about ecosystems’ strategies for dealing with drought, as well as their responses and feedbacks to climate. From an optimality perspective, a robust theory to predict WUE is fundamental for exploring potential adaptations, shifts in vegetation communities, or migration, especially under future scenarios.Global estimates of WUE, generated by terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs), typically evaluate the accuracy of their predictions using observed fluxes. However, these evaluations often overlook whether the simulated sensitivity of fluxes to environmental drivers matches observed sensitivities, possibly covering flaws in the underlying theory, allowing models to produce “right answers for the wrong reasons”.Here, we assess the sensitivity of WUE simulated by the TRENDY models to environmental variables and compare them against sensitivities inferred from δ¹³C isotopes and state-of-the-art remotely sensed datasets derived from machine learning. We found qualitative disagreements (opposite signs) in the sensitivity coefficients of WUE to environmental variables, highlighting gaps in the current theoretical understanding of ecosystem functioning.</jats:p>
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Journal articleDuncan JA, Jerse AE, Martinón-Torres F, et al., 2026,
Perspective on the pathogenic Neisseria: milestones, challenges, and future directions.
, NPJ Vaccines, Vol: 11The 24th International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference (IPNC) marked a shift toward a balanced forum addressing both meningococcal and gonococcal disease. This drove discussion on how multivalent meningococcal vaccines are enabling the WHO roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030, while highlighting growing evidence that effective gonococcal vaccines are achievable. Major challenges remain, including antimicrobial resistance, limited genomic surveillance and incomplete understanding of pathogenesis and immune evasion. These reflections shaped this perspective piece.
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