A. Padilla

Geographic variation in the songs of two closely related song-learning species, Anna's and Costa's hummingbird (Calypte anna, C. costae)

This study examines geographic variation in songs of two hummingbird species, finding that Anna's hummingbirds show population-level song variation while Costa's hummingbirds show minor frequency differences.

Adaptive evolution in virulence effectors of the rice blast fungus Pyricularia oryzae

This paper investigates the evolutionary forces shaping MAX effector diversity in Pyricularia oryzae, showing positive selection on structural elements and host adaptation through gene loss.

Prophylactic low-dose, bi-weekly benznidazole treatment fails to prevent Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs under intense transmission pressure

This study tests low-dose, bi-weekly benznidazole prophylaxis in dogs under high T. cruzi transmission pressure but finds no reduction in new infections.

A Single Multipurpose FSH-Blocking Therapeutic for Osteoporosis and Obesity

This paper develops and tests a first-in-class FSH-blocking antibody, MS-Hu6, showing efficacy in preventing obesity and osteoporosis in mice and safety in monkeys.

Design of a new effector recognition specificity in a plant NLR immune receptor by molecular engineering of its integrated decoy domain

This study demonstrates that molecular engineering of the integrated decoy domain of an NLR can expand its effector recognition spectrum to a new effector.

Structural genomic applied on the rust fungus Melampsora larici-populina reveals two candidate effector proteins adopting cystine-knot and nuclear transport factor 2-like protein folds

The paper identifies two effector proteins from the rust fungus Melampsora larici-populina that adopt structural folds similar to knottin and nuclear transport factor 2-like proteins despite lacking sequence similarity.

Spontaneous dormancy protects Trypanosoma cruzi during extended drug exposure

This study shows Trypanosoma cruzi can enter a dormant state that protects it from prolonged drug exposure, allowing it to re-emerge and cause infection.