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Journal articleMolpeceres-García FJ, García-Miró A, Mateos-García E, et al., 2026,
Pseudomonas putida JM37 as a novel bacterial chassis for ethylene glycol upcycling
, Bioresource Technology, Vol: 443, ISSN: 0960-8524Ethylene glycol (EG), one of the main monomers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), is an attractive target for microbial upcycling. Despite this interest, there is a limited number of described organisms that can efficiently metabolise EG. Here, we report the metabolic and biotechnological potential of Pseudomonas putida JM37 as a novel bacterial chassis for EG valorization. We show that JM37 efficiently grows on EG as the sole carbon and energy source, outperforming other Pseudomonas strains. Genome sequencing and directed mutagenesis revealed that genetic redundancies in the glyoxylate assimilation pathways underlie its robust EG metabolism. Beyond biomass generation, we demonstrated the biotechnological potential of JM37. This strain was able to accumulate medium-chain polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs), dominated by C10 monomers, directly from EG. Moreover, JM37 successfully expressed heterologous biosynthetic pathways, including a violacein biosynthetic operon and a PET-hydrolase which has been secreted actively into the extracellular medium. Together, our results support the use of P. putida JM37 as a versatile synthetic biology chassis for sustainable EG upcycling and as a promising platform for circular bioproduction.
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Journal articleWilliams JJ, Angelidou I, Cholvi M, et al., 2026,
Ethical and equitable approaches in AI for vector-borne disease management
, AI and Ethics, Vol: 6, ISSN: 2730-5953 -
Journal articleChao KW, Wong L, Oqua AI, et al., 2026,
Human class B1 GPCR modulation by plasma membrane lipids.
, Commun BiolThe class B1 G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) subfamily is a class of receptors known for their regulatory roles in metabolism and neuronal activity and as important drug targets. Lipids play key functional roles in modulation of GPCR signalling, yet our understanding of the molecular level detail of specific lipid interactions with class B1 GPCRs remains limited. Here we present coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the active and inactive states of 15 human class B1 family members and use aiida-gromacs to capture full provenance for the set-up of simulations in complex plasma membranes. Receptors exhibit state-dependent lipid interactions with the regulatory sterol cholesterol and phospholipid phosphatidylinositiol-3,4-bisphosphate (PIP2) at defined locations on the receptor surface. Global analysis of trends across the subfamily reveals conserved patterns of lipid interaction dynamics. The glycosphingolipid GM3 exerts a modulatory influence on the dynamics of class B1 extracellular domains in both simulations and in vitro time-resolved FRET assays.
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Journal articleJimenez Zarco J, 2026,
Engineering whole-cell catalysts to use plastic waste as a feedstock
, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, ISSN: 0958-1669The extensive production, durability and waste mismanagement of plastic polymers have led to a highly concerning environmental problem. Recycling methods aim to reduce the amount of plastic pollution and, among them, biological processes have emerged as an interesting alternative for the management of plastic waste that is difficult to collect or can not be recycled by other methods. While there has been significant progress in the field, in particular related to the enzymatic hydrolysis of polyesters, most biological methods rely on the use of enzymes in vitro, using collected plastics. In this review we explore the status of technologies using whole-cell catalysts that could be used for in vivo upcycling of plastic waste – with plastic becoming a microbial feedstock – and for the development of biodegradation strategies in relevant environments. We have identified a number of barriers related to polymer bioavailability, enzyme activity and secretion, and the use of strains and microbial communities that need to be overcome to materialise a much-needed solution to plastic pollution.
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Journal articlevan Thor J, 2026,
Coherent two dimensional electronic-X-ray spectroscopy
, Journal of Chemical Physics, ISSN: 0021-9606 -
Journal articleMoitra T, Larrouy-Maumus G, 2026,
Integrated approaches for discovery and functional annotation of proteins of unknown function.
, Trends Biochem Sci, Vol: 51, Pages: 80-92, ISSN: 0968-0004Proteins of unknown function (PUFs) remain a persistent blind spot in molecular biology. Emerging evidence implicates many PUFs in crucial but poorly characterised roles in biomedical contexts, particularly cancer and infectious diseases. Here, we explore integrative strategies combining high-throughput experimental platforms with computational models to address this gap. We outline how functional insights can be derived across a molecular hierarchy, spanning individual proteins, interaction networks, and transient assemblies, and evaluate the distinct opportunities and challenges faced at each level. Framing these advances within a systems biology lens, we argue that characterising PUFs could redefine therapeutic discovery pipelines. We call for data-driven discovery methods and community efforts to support reproducible, scalable annotation of the 'dark' proteome.
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Journal articleHerzog MK-M, Peters A, Shayya N, et al., 2025,
Comparing <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> to three other enteric pathogens in OligoMM<SUP>12</SUP> mice reveals pathogen-specific host and microbiota responses
, GUT MICROBES, Vol: 17, ISSN: 1949-0976- Cite
- Citations: 1
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Journal articleBiswas P, Sanchez-Garrido J, Kozik Z, et al., 2025,
The accessory type III secretion system effectors collectively shape intestinal inflammatory infection outcomes
, GUT MICROBES, Vol: 17, ISSN: 1949-0976 -
Journal articleMoron-Ortiz A, Ferrando-Marco M, Leon-Vaz A, et al., 2025,
Effects of lutein, phytoene and carotenoid-rich microalgal extracts on the epidermis of <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>
, FOOD CHEMISTRY, Vol: 497, ISSN: 0308-8146 -
Journal articlePeters A, Sanchez Garrido J, Shareefdeen H, et al., 2025,
Stable coexistence of Citrobacter rodentium with a lytic bacteriophage during in vivo murine infection
, mBio, ISSN: 2161-2129Bacteriophages are ubiquitously present in bacterial communities, yet phage-bacteria interactions in complex environments like the gut remain poorly understood. While antibiotic resistance is driving a renewed interest in phage therapy, most studies have been conducted in in vitro systems, offering limited insight into the complexity of such dynamics in physiological contexts. Here, we use Citrobacter rodentium (CR), a natural mouse-restricted enteric pathogen and well-established model for human enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC and EHEC) infections, to investigate phage-pathogen interactions in vivo. We isolate and characterise Eifel2, a novel lytic phage infecting CR, and generate anti-phage specific antibodies that enable the visualisation of phage infections in vitro. In a murine model of CR infection, oral administration of Eifel2 led to robust phage replication in the gut without reducing the bacterial burden or infection-associated inflammation, confirming the establishment of a stable coexistence in the gut. Despite the emergence of a sub-population of phage-resistant CR mutants in vivo, they did not undergo clonal expansion, indicating that additional selective pressures impaired their widespread dissemination in the gut. Together, our findings demonstrate that imaging approaches can capture key infection stages in vitro, while in vivo models are essential for capturing the complexity of phage-bacteria interactions. This work highlights the importance of studying phage therapy in host-pathogen contexts that include a normal microbiota and a suitable host environment, where dynamic co-existence rather than eradication may define therapeutic outcomes.
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Journal articleBrook TS, Hutton IJ, Papadopulos AST, et al., 2025,
Two new species of Currant Bush Coprosma (Rubiaceae) from an endemic radiation on Lord Howe Island
, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, ISSN: 0024-4074Molecular and morphological evidence provide support for the description of two new species of Coprosma (Rubiaceae) from Lord Howe Island, a remote oceanic island in the Tasman Sea. The first species, C. savolainenii sp. nov., was discovered during a plant survey, whereas the second species, C. ptotopetra sp. nov. was identified using DNA fingerprinting. Confirmation of both has recently been reconfirmed through high-throughput sequencing. We provide detailed descriptions of each new species, alongside an updated description of C. putida, a species with similar morphology to C. ptotopetra sp. nov.. We also provide phenological, distribution, and conservation data for each species. This description goes beyond a traditional species account, as it represents a unique endemic radiation occurring in sympatry on an isolated island of global conservation significance. It may also represent a rare botanical example of the syngameon hypothesis, where hybrid speciation accelerates evolutionary radiation.
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Journal articleBurton VJ, Jones AG, Robinson LD, et al., 2025,
Who watches the worms? Motivation and (non-)participation in a contributory citizen science project
, BMC Ecology and Evolution, ISSN: 2730-7182BackgroundCitizen science projects rely on public participation to generate data and promote engagement with science. However, little is known about the motivations of individuals who register for citizen science projects but ultimately do not participate. Understanding non-participation is important for improving recruitment and engagement strategies. This study used Earthworm Watch, a UK-based soil biodiversity citizen science project that ran from April 2016 to August 2018, to explore the motivations of both participants and non-participants, and to examine how these relate to demographic factors and survey completion rates.ResultsA total of 1,678 participants registered for Earthworm Watch. The overall survey return rate was 12.75%, with no significant differences by age or gender. The provision of physical survey packs did not significantly affect completion rates. Direct contact with project staff was the only recruitment method associated with a significantly higher survey return rate. Significantly more registrants were female than male across all age groups. Motivations related to understanding and values were most reported, with participants often expressing a desire to learn more or to contribute to the topic, but these participants contributed fewer surveys than those without those motivations. Social motivations were mentioned less frequently but were more commonly reported by women. Younger participants were more likely to cite career-related motivations.ConclusionsThe limited impact of physical materials on participation suggests that designing projects for immediate and accessible involvement could be more cost-effective. The significant influence of meeting project members and hands-on experiences at events strengthens the case for including these activities in engagement plans. Motivations to participate in Earthworm Watch varied by demographic factors such as age and gender; however, when significant, they influenced only the number of surveys sub
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Journal articlePawar S, Kontopoulos D-G, 2025,
Toward a general understanding of thermal performance curves in biology
, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol: 122, ISSN: 0027-8424Temperature profoundly influences biological processes at all scales, from enzyme kinetics to ecosystem-level metabolism. Despite the enormous physiological diversity of life on Earth—from unicellular microbes to plants and animals—there is a remarkable similarity in how individual-level traits (e.g., metabolic rate, locomotion, growth rate) respond to temperature (1–3). These relationships are captured by thermal performance curves (TPCs), which describe how the rate or magnitude of a biological trait varies continuously with temperature (2, 4). TPCs are typically unimodal and left-skewed (Fig. 1), rising in an Arrhenius-like (that is, exponentially) manner with temperature up to an optimum and then declining steeply beyond a critical upper threshold (5, 6). In their new study, Arnoldi et al. (7) provide a strikingly general explanation for this ubiquitous curve shape, showing that the diversity of mechanistic TPC models and empirical data can be unified under a single, mathematically derived “Universal Thermal Performance Curve” (UTPC).
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Journal articleCarlos BC, Voges K, Affonso PHDA, et al., 2025,
Metabolic reprogramming and gut microbiota ecology drive divergent Plasmodium vivax infection outcomes in Anopheles darlingi.
, PLoS Pathog, Vol: 21Anopheles darlingi is the principal malaria vector in the Amazon basin, where Plasmodium vivax accounts for the majority of cases. Despite its epidemiological importance, the molecular and microbial determinants of A. darlingi susceptibility to P. vivax remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated vector-parasite-microbiota interactions using experimental infections with field-derived P. vivax gametocytaemic blood, which produced two distinct infection phenotypes: low and high oocyst burdens. Transcriptomic profiling of mosquito midguts across key parasite developmental timepoints revealed that low-infection mosquitoes mounted an early and sustained response characterised by activation of detoxification pathways, redox regulation, aromatic amino acid catabolism, and purine depletion, likely coordinated through neurophysiological cues, which collectively create a metabolically restrictive environment for parasite development. These physiological changes were accompanied by reduced bacterial diversity and enrichment of Enterobacteriales and Pseudomonadales, taxa previously linked to anti-Plasmodium activity. Conversely, high-infection mosquitoes exhibited limited metabolic reprogramming, expansion of Flavobacteriales, and transcriptional signatures consistent with permissive physiological states, potentially associated with reproductive trade-offs. Importantly, low infection outcomes consistently arose from bloodmeals with the lowest gametocyte densities, suggesting that host- and parasite-derived components of the bloodmeal act as early conditioning factors that prime the mosquito midgut for either resistance or susceptibility. These findings reframe A. darlingi vector competence to P. vivax not as a fixed immune trait but as a dynamic outcome of early redox, metabolic, and microbial interactions. They also highlight ecological and physiological targets for transmission-blocking strategies and reinforce the importance of studying vector-parasite interactions in re
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Journal articleKeeping TR, Shepherd TG, Prentice IC, et al., 2025,
Influence of global climate modes on wildfire occurrence in the contiguous United States under recent and future climates
, CLIMATE DYNAMICS, Vol: 64, ISSN: 0930-7575 -
Journal articleWardynska Z, Bennett H, Mahele XJM, et al., 2025,
Phenotypic variance in an acoustic signal: a potentially sexually selected behaviour in Cape Clapper Larks <i>Corypha apiata</i>
, OSTRICH, Vol: 96, Pages: 249-257, ISSN: 0030-6525 -
Journal articleZhang Z, Jones G, Calabrese S, et al., 2025,
An Integrated Modelling Framework to Determine Terrestrial Carbon Dioxide Removal via Enhanced Rock Weathering
, GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Vol: 31, ISSN: 1354-1013 -
Journal articleZhao H, Pye R, Walker G, et al., 2025,
Missense3D-PTMdb: a web tool for visualising and exploring human genetic variants and post-translational modification sites using alphafold models
, Journal of Molecular Biology, ISSN: 0022-2836Only a fraction of the >11 million missense variants identified in humans has a known clinical significance. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, glycosylation and ubiquitination, are key regulators of protein function and structure. PTMs depend on correct protein folding and the recognition and binding of enzymes to specific amino acid motifs near modification sites. AlphaFold models provide an unprecedented opportunity to explore variants on 3D structures, enabling systematic identification of amino acid substitutions that could affect PTMs and should be further investigated experimentally.We present Missense3D-PTMdb, a “one-stop-shop” interactive web tool that provides a user-friendly sequence-structure mapping of 20,235 human proteins, 11,5 million naturally occurring human missense variants, >60 PTM types and 203,775 PTM residues and their neighbours in sequence and 3D structure space using AlphaFold models of the human proteome. The resource also supports visualisation of novel variants not in the database. Missense3D-PTMdb is freely available at https://missense3d.bc.ic.ac.uk/ptmdb.
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Journal articleFuhrmann E, Toda S, Leins J, et al., 2025,
Extended poly(A) tails are a shared feature of herpesvirus mRNAs.
, bioRxivPoly(A) tails are present on most cellular and viral mRNAs, providing a platform for poly(A)-binding proteins that stimulate translation and regulate the deadenylation and stability of transcripts in the cytoplasm. Here we leverage nanopore direct RNA sequencing to analyse the distribution of poly(A) tail lengths on cellular and viral mRNAs across Herpesviridae and other DNA and RNA virus infections. We find that herpesvirus mRNA poly(A) tails are consistently longer than those on cellular and other viral transcripts, presenting a previously unrecognized yet widespread mechanism to advantage herpesviral gene expression. This contrasts with the templated poly(A) tails on coronavirus RNAs and those on cytoplasmically transcribed poxviral mRNAs, which are more similar in length to those on host mRNAs. Herpesviral noncoding RNAs display differential poly(A) tailing patterns which do not correlate with nuclear localisation while individual herpesviral mRNAs also show variation in the extent to which their poly(A) tail lengths change during the virus lifecycle, suggestive of additional uncharacterised layers of poly(A) tail length regulation. Importantly, while we detect non-adenosine nucleotides within herpesviral poly(A) tails, which are known to oppose deadenylase activity, this "mixed tailing" is not at sufficient frequency to explain the widespread extended tails of herpesvirus mRNAs.
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Journal articleXu H, Wang H, Prentice IC, et al., 2025,
Global variation in the ratio of sapwood to leaf area explained by optimality principles
, New Phytologist, 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 articleGee A, Werden LK, Verduzco-Salazar OE, et al., 2025,
Secondary succession of a seasonally dry tropical forest is taxonomically stochastic but functionally deterministic
, FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, Vol: 598, ISSN: 0378-1127 -
Journal articleHabtewold T, Lwetoijera DW, Hoermann A, et al., 2025,
Gene-drive-capable mosquitoes suppress patient-derived malaria in Tanzania
, Nature, ISSN: 0028-0836Gene drive technology presents a transformative approach to combatting malaria by introducing genetic modifications into wild mosquito populations to reduce their vectorial capacity. Although effective modifications have been developed, these efforts have been confined to laboratories in the global north. We previously demonstrated that modifying Anopheles gambiae to express two exogenous antimicrobial peptides inhibits the sporogonic development of laboratory-cultured Plasmodium falciparum, with models predicting substantial contributions to malaria elimination in Africa when integrated with gene drive1,2,3. However, the effectiveness of this modification against genetically diverse, naturally circulating parasite isolates remained unknown. To address this critical gap, we adapted our technology for an African context by establishing infrastructural and research capacity in Tanzania, enabling the engineering of local A. gambiae under containment. Here we report the generation of a transgenic strain equipped with non-autonomous gene drive capabilities that robustly inhibits genetically diverse P. falciparum isolates obtained from naturally infected children. These genetic modifications were efficiently inherited by progeny when supplemented with Cas9 endonuclease provided by another locally engineered strain. Our work brings gene drive technology a critical step closer to application, providing a locally tailored and powerful tool for malaria eradication through the targeted dissemination of beneficial genetic traits in wild mosquito populations.
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Journal articleRodrigues Lopes I, Alcantara LM, Lopez-Bravo M, et al., 2025,
Systematic identification of bacterial factors driving Staphylococcus aureus intracellular lifestyle in non-professional phagocytes
, Nature Communications, Vol: 16, ISSN: 2041-1723Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen responsible for severe infections. While traditionally described as extracellular, increasing evidence establishes S. aureus as a facultative intracellular pathogen. Intracellularity contributes to immune evasion, dissemination, and antibiotic failure. To identify bacterial factors critical for S. aureus invasion, intracellular replication, persistence, and host cytotoxicity, we screened a comprehensive collection of 1,920 S. aureus mutants (Nebraska transposon mutant library) in epithelial cells across five timepoints (0.5 to 48 hours post-infection). We identified 73 bacterial factors strongly modulating S. aureus intracellularity, including mutants displaying multiple phenotypes. Most of these factors have not been linked to intracellular lifestyle. Among these, we characterized the nicotinamidase PncA as a novel regulator of the agr system via redox state modulation, strongly impacting virulence. This study provides a systematic analysis of S. aureus factors critical for intracellular lifestyle, with implications for the development of antimicrobial strategies targeting this resilient bacterial population.
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Journal articleModiba MP, Bell T, Glick B, et al., 2025,
<i>Ralstonia solanacearum</i> and <i>Xanthomonas perforans</i> as Causal Agents of Bacterial Disease of Tomato
, MICROBIOLOGYOPEN, Vol: 14, ISSN: 2045-8827 -
Journal articleMishra V, Kozik Z, Biswas P, et al., 2025,
Rehydration rescues Il22-/- mice from lethal Citrobacter rodentium infection
, Nature Communications, ISSN: 2041-1723Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is considered indispensable for host defence against Citrobacter rodentium, with 100% mortality of Il22 -/- mice. While IL-22 promotes epithelial barrier integrity and production of antimicrobial peptides, the precise mechanism underlying lethality remains unclear. Here, we show that following C. rodentium infection Il22-/- mice succumb due to dehydration, rather than failure to control bacterial burden or regenerate damaged intestinal epithelium. Proteomic and gene expression analysis reveal greater enterocyte depletion in C. rodentium-infected Il22-/- mice, resulting in significant reductions in ion transporter abundances. We show that while not reducing bacterial load, improving the gut barrier integrity, or affecting immune responses, fluid therapy (FT) fully rescues Il22-/- mice by correcting systemic dehydration. Survival is associated with locally increased Reg3b, IL-17F and IL-10 levels, suggesting activation of compensatory pathways that potentially support recovery in the absence of IL-22. Recovered Il22-/- mice exhibit epithelial cell regeneration and tissue physiology similarly to C. rodentium-infected Il22+/+ mice. These findings suggest that dehydration is the primary cause of mortality in Il22-/- mice and reveal that IL-22 prevent this outcome by preserving epithelial integrity and fluid-ion absorption. Importantly, this study underscores the necessity of incorporating supportive therapies into preclinical infection models to better reflect physiological settings and improve their relevance in modelling human disease.
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Journal articleLavergne A, Harrison SP, Atsawawaranunt K, et al., 2025,
Minimal impact of recent decline in C4 vegetation abundance on atmospheric carbon isotopic composition
, Communications Earth & Environment, ISSN: 2662-4435Changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, climate, and land management influence the abundance and distribution of C3 and C4 plants, yet their impact on the global carbon cycle remains uncertain. Here, we use a parsimonious model of C3 and C4 plant distribution, based on optimality principles, combined with a simplified representation of the global carbon cycle, to assess how shifts in plant abundances driven by carbon dioxide and climate affect global gross primary production, land-based carbon isotope discrimination, and the isotopic composition of atmospheric carbon dioxide. We estimate that the proportion of C4 plants in total biomass declined from about 16% to 12% between 1982 and 2016, despite an increase in the abundance of C4 crops. This decline reflects the reduced competitive advantage of C4 photosynthesis in a carbon dioxide-enriched atmosphere. As a result, global gross primary production rose by approximately 16.5 ± 1.8 petagrams of carbon, and land-based carbon isotope discrimination increased by 0.017 ± 0.001‰ per year. Accounting for changes in C3 and C4 abundances reduces the difference between observed and modelled trends in atmospheric carbon isotope composition, but does not fully explain the observed decrease, pointing to additional, unaccounted drivers.
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Journal articlePretorius D, Nikov G, Washio K, et al., 2025,
Designing novel solenoid proteins with in silico evolution
, Communications Chemistry, ISSN: 2399-3669Solenoid proteins are elongated tandem repeat proteins with diverse biological functions, making them attractive targets for protein design. Advances in machine learning have transformed our understanding of sequence-structure relationships, enabling new approaches for de novo protein design. Here, we present an in silico evolution platform that couples a solenoid discriminator network with AlphaFold2 as an oracle within a genetic algorithm. Starting from random sequences, we design α-, β-, and αβ-solenoid backbones, generating structures that span natural and novel solenoid space. We experimentally characterise 41 solenoid designs, with α-solenoids consistently folding as intended, including one structurally validated design that closely matches the design model. All β-solenoids initially failed, reflecting the difficulty of designing β-strand majority proteins. By introducing terminal capping elements and refining designs based on earlier experimental screens, we generate two β-solenoids that have biophysical properties consistent with their designs. Our approach achieves fold-specific hallucination-based design without depending on explicit structural templates.
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Journal articleDeelen L, Mitchell Z, Demurtas M, et al., 2025,
Hominoid-specific transposable elements reshaped neural crest migration in craniofacial development
, Molecular Systems Biology, Vol: 21, Pages: 1731-1747, ISSN: 1744-4292Craniofacial development is evolutionarily conserved, yet subtle changes in its regulatory network drive species-specific traits. Transposable elements (TEs) contribute to genome evolution, but their role in cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs) remains unclear. Here, we investigate the domestication of hominoid-specific TEs (LTR5Hs and SVAs) as enhancers during human CNCC specification, a process critical for vertebrate craniofacial development. Using human iPSC-derived CNCCs, we identified ~515 hominoid-specific TEs functioning as enhancers, including ~250 human-specific, predominantly LTR5Hs. These elements are enriched for CNCC coordinator motifs, are bound by the CNCC signature factor TWIST1, and their enhancer activity appears largely CNCC-specific. CRISPR-interference targeting ~75% of these active TEs led to widespread transcriptional dysregulation of genes involved in neural crest migration, and two orthogonal functional assays confirmed that CNCC migration is impaired upon TE repression. Finally, genes near human-specific TEs showed higher expression in human CNCCs compared to chimpanzee CNCCs, but TE repression restored gene expression to chimpanzee levels. These findings highlight how young TEs were domesticated to fine-tune CNCC regulatory networks, potentially contributing to lineage-specific craniofacial evolution.
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Journal articleJessop A, Steyaert M, Daraghmeh N, et al., 2025,
A review of autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) for monitoring hard-bottom benthic biodiversity
, METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, ISSN: 2041-210X -
Journal articleWinder LA, Gadsby JH, Wellman E, et al., 2025,
Separating the genetic and environmental drivers of body temperature during the development of endothermy in an altricial bird
, JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, ISSN: 1010-061X
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