The paper identifies a new type of monocytic leukemia stem cell (m-LSC) in AML patients treated with venetoclax, showing its distinct characteristics and clinical relevance.

Cancer Discovery · Sep 6, 2023Peer-reviewedCancer Biology

Tolerance-conferring defensive symbionts and the evolution of parasite virulence

C. A. Smith, B. Ashby

This paper shows that introducing tolerance-conferring defensive symbionts can lead to increased parasite virulence and long-term host population decline, suggesting they are poor for biocontrol.

bioRxiv · Dec 5, 2022Evolutionary Biology

Heterotopic reduction of forelimb progenitors underpins development of the vestigial emu wing; implications for vertebrate limb evolution

A. H. Newton, S. Williams, B. Phipson, A. J. Pask, A. Major, C. A. Smith

The paper identifies a heterotopic reduction of limb progenitor cells in the emu forelimb as the mechanism underlying its vestigial wing development, providing insights into limb evolution in tetrapods.

bioRxiv · Nov 23, 2022 · PreprintEvolutionary Biology

Novel sterol binding domains in bacteria

L. Zhai, A. Bonds, C. A. Smith, H. Oo, J. C.-C. Chou, P. V. Welander, L. M. K. Dassama

This study identifies three novel bacterial proteins involved in sterol transport, revealing their structural and functional specificity for 4-methylsterols and their widespread presence in bacterial genomes.

bioRxiv · May 15, 2022Biochemistry

Predicting binding affinity changes from long-distance mutations using MD simulations and Rosetta

N. G. M. Wells, C. A. Smith

This paper develops a method combining molecular dynamics and Rosetta to predict binding affinity changes from long-distance mutations, achieving accuracy comparable to interface-specific methods.

bioRxiv · Apr 26, 2022Biophysics

Prediction of fluorophore brightness in designed mini fluorescence activating proteins

E. R. Hostetter, J. R. Keyes, I. Poon, J. P. Nguyen, J. Nite, Molecular Modeling and Design Class, C. A. Jimenez Hoyos, C. A. Smith

The paper uses quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations to predict fluorophore brightness in designed mini fluorescence activating proteins by analyzing molecular flexibility.

bioRxiv · Jul 21, 2021Biophysics

Relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 4 (Rxfp4) expressing hypothalamic neurons modulate food intake and preference in mice

J. E. Lewis, O. R. Woodward, D. Nuzzaci, C. A. Smith, A. E. Adriaenssens, L. Billing, C. Brighton, B. U. Phillips, J. A. Tadross, S. J. Kinston, E. Ciabatti, B. Gottgens, M. Tripodi, D. Hornigold, D. Baker, , F. Reimann

This study identifies Rxfp4-expressing hypothalamic neurons as regulators of food intake and preference in mice through genetic and pharmacological manipulations.

bioRxiv · Jun 26, 2021Physiology

A secreted proteomic footprint for stem cell pluripotency

P. A. Lewis, E. Silajdzic, H. Smith, N. Bates, C. A. Smith, D. Knight, C. Denning, D. R. Brison, S. J. Kimber

The paper identifies a proteomic signature associated with early loss of pluripotency in human stem cells and demonstrates its diagnostic potential using multiplexed biomarkers.

bioRxiv · Apr 14, 2021Cell Biology

Ensemble-level organization of human kinetochores and evidence for distinct tension and attachment sensors

E. Roscioli, T. E. Germanova, C. A. Smith, P. A. Embacher, M. Erent, A. I. Thompson, N. J. Burroughs, A. D. McAinsh

The paper uses fluorescence localisation to study the organization of kinetochore proteins and identifies two mechanical sensors involved in monitoring attachment and tension.

bioRxiv · Jun 28, 2019Cell Biology