B. A. Adler

Genetic elements and defense systems drive diversification and evolution in Asgard archaea

This study identifies mobile genetic elements and defense systems in Asgard archaea, revealing their role in shaping genetic diversity and evolution.

An essential and highly selective protein import pathway encoded by nucleus-forming phage

This paper identifies components of a novel protein import pathway in phages, revealing a mechanism for selective protein trafficking into the phage nucleus.

Hachiman is a genome integrity sensor

This study identifies Hachiman as a bacterial antiphage defense system that degrades all DNA in response to DNA damage, revealing its role as a genome integrity sensor.

A phage nucleus-associated RNA-binding protein is required for jumbo phage infection

This study identifies ChmC, a phage protein that binds RNA and facilitates mRNA transport through the phage nucleus-like compartment, essential for infection.

Genome-wide Characterization of Diverse Bacteriophages Enabled by RNA-Binding CRISPRi

The paper develops a CRISPRi-ART system to knock down protein expression in diverse bacteriophages and identifies essential genes, including many with unknown functions.

Improved Genome Editing by an Engineered CRISPR-Cas12a

This paper improves CRISPR-Cas12a genome editing by combining rational engineering and directed evolution to enhance homology-directed repair efficiency.

RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas13 Provides Broad-spectrum Phage Immunity

This paper demonstrates that LbuCas13a can broadly inhibit diverse E. coli phages and enable efficient, markerless phage genome editing.

Parallel multicopy-suppressor screens reveal convergent evolution of phage-encoded single gene lysis proteins

The paper identifies host suppressors of phage-encoded single gene lysis proteins, revealing convergent evolution and common mechanisms across diverse phages.

A naturally DNase-free CRISPR-Cas12c enzyme silences gene expression

This paper shows that CRISPR-Cas12c provides antiviral immunity by binding DNA without cleaving it, enabling transcriptional repression and phage protection.

The Genetic Basis of phage susceptibility, cross-resistance and host-range in Salmonella

This study identifies 301 host factors in Salmonella involved in phage resistance, reveals cross-resistance mechanisms between RpoS and RpoN, and shows additional constraints define phage host range.

High-throughput mapping of the phage resistance landscape in E. coli

This study maps host genetic determinants of phage resistance in E. coli using high-throughput genetic screens, identifying both known and novel resistance factors across 14 phages.