C. M. Waters

A Vibrio cholerae Type IV restriction system targets glucosylated 5-hydroxyl methyl cytosine to protect against phage infection

This study identifies a novel Type IV restriction system in V. cholerae, TgvAB, that targets glucosylated 5-hydroxymethylcytosine on phage DNA, revealing evolutionary tradeoffs in phage resistance.

pGpG-signaling regulates virulence and global transcriptomic targets in Erwinia amylovora

This study shows that pGpG, a byproduct of c-di-GMP degradation, regulates virulence and biofilm formation in Erwinia amylovora by affecting gene expression and amylovoran production.

Deployment of a Vibrio cholerae ordered transposon mutant library in a quorum-competent genetic background

The paper generates a quorum-sensing competent transposon mutant library for Vibrio cholerae by transferring mutants into a wildtype background, revealing density-dependent epistasis and improving genetic context for studying pathogenesis.

Plasmid-free cheater cells commonly evolve during laboratory growth

This study shows that plasmid-free cheater cells evolve during laboratory growth, leading to heterogeneous populations and experimental confounds.

Activation of a Vibrio cholerae CBASS anti-phage system by quorum sensing and folate depletion

This study identifies that Vibrio cholerae's CBASS anti-phage system is activated by quorum sensing and folate depletion, revealing mechanisms for its deployment and activation.

Time to lysis determines phage sensitivity to a cytidine deaminase toxin/antitoxin bacterial defense system

The paper shows that phage lysis time determines sensitivity to the AvcID toxin-antitoxin system, with longer lysis times increasing susceptibility.

Vibrio cholerae phage ICP3 requires O1 antigen for infection

This study identifies the O1 antigen as a receptor for the Vibrio cholerae phage ICP3, showing that mutations in O1 antigen biosynthesis genes confer resistance to ICP1 but not ICP2.

Combinatorial control of biofilm development by quorum-sensing and nutrient-sensing regulators in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This study investigates how quorum-sensing and nutrient-sensing pathways in Pseudomonas aeruginosa interact to regulate biofilm formation, revealing a regulatory link through the small RNA CrcZ.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Regulation of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 and Tissue Renin-Angiotensin Systems: Influence of Biologic Sex

This study examines how SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein affects ACE2 and RAS in lung and adipose tissues of male and female mice, revealing sex-specific differences in ACE2 expression and RAS activity.

A Broadly Conserved Deoxycytidine Deaminase Protects Bacteria from Phage Infection

The study identifies DcdV, a deoxycytidine deaminase in V. cholerae, as a novel phage defense mechanism conserved across bacteria and eukaryotes.

Quorum sensing provides a molecular mechanism for evolution to tune and maintain investment in cooperation

The paper shows that quorum sensing (QS) in Vibrio harveyi maintains cooperation by preventing defectors from outcompeting cooperators over evolutionary timescales.

One gene, multiple ecological strategies: a biofilm regulator is a capacitor for sustainable diversity

This study identifies parallel mutations in the rpfR gene of Burkholderia cenocepacia that enable distinct ecological strategies by regulating signaling networks and biofilm formation.

VIBRIO CHOLERAE ADAPTS TO SESSILE AND MOTILE LIFESTYLES BY CYCLIC DI-GMP REGULATION OF CELL SHAPE

This study shows that V. cholerae regulates cell shape via c-di-GMP, linking curvature to biofilm formation and motility.

Surface Sensing Stimulates Cellular Differentiation in Caulobacter crescentus

This study shows that surface contact and mechanosensing via pilus activity changes stimulate cellular differentiation and cell cycle progression in Caulobacter crescentus.

Rock the Chalk: A five-year comparative analysis of a large microbiology lecture course reveals improved outcomes of chalk-talk compared to PowerPoint

A five-year study compares chalk-talk and PowerPoint in a microbiology lecture course, finding chalk-talk preferred by students and associated with better learning outcomes.

Cyclic di-GMP Increases Catalase Production and Hydrogen Peroxide Tolerance in Vibrio cholerae

This study shows that c-di-GMP in V. cholerae increases catalase production and H2O2 tolerance via regulation of katB and requires VpsT and VpsR transcription factors.

The Vc2 cyclic di-GMP dependent riboswitch of Vibrio cholerae regulates expression of an upstream small RNA by controlling RNA stability

The paper identifies a novel mechanism where the Vc2 riboswitch in Vibrio cholerae regulates the stability of upstream small RNAs by binding c-di-GMP, preventing their degradation.

Reciprocal control of motility and biofilm formation by the PdhS2 two-component sensor kinase of Agrobacterium tumefaciens

This paper investigates how the PdhS2 sensor kinase in Agrobacterium tumefaciens regulates biofilm formation and motility through interactions with DivK and CtrA, affecting cdGMP levels and adhesive polysaccharide production.

Enhancing Multiplex Genome Editing by Natural Transformation (MuGENT) via inactivation of ssDNA exonucleases

This paper enhances multiplex genome editing via natural transformation by inactivating ssDNA exonucleases, reducing homology arm size and improving editing efficiency.