D. Jiang

Genetic and selective constraints on the optimization of gene product diversity

The paper develops a mathematical model to predict isoform abundance distributions across species and genes, finding that factors beyond selection, like population size and cis-acting loci, significantly influence evolutionary outcomes.

A VgrG2b fragment cleaved by caspase-11/4 promotes Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection through suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome

The paper identifies a Pseudomonas aeruginosa VgrG2b fragment cleaved by caspase-11 that inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation, promoting infection and improving survival with a specific peptide inhibitor.

A commensal-derived sugar protects against obesity by regulating immunometabolism

This study identifies a bacterial exopolysaccharide from Clostridium immunis that protects against obesity by modulating IL-22 levels in adipose tissue.

Commensal bacteria inhibit viral infections via a tryptophan metabolite

The paper identifies a mechanism by which commensal bacteria inhibit viral infections through a tryptophan metabolite that activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

Evolution of plant cell-type-specific cis-regulatory elements

The paper constructs a single-cell chromatin accessibility atlas in rice and compares it across grass species to study the evolution of cell-type-specific cis-regulatory elements.

The Velvet transcription factor PnVeA regulates necrotrophic effectors and secondary metabolism in the wheat pathogen Parastagonospora nodorum

This study shows that PnVeA regulates necrotrophic effectors and secondary metabolism in P. nodorum, affecting virulence and sporulation.

Absolute Quantification of Viral Proteins from Pseudotyped Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV-GP) using Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography- Multiple Reaction Monitoring (UPLC-MRM)

This paper develops a UPLC-MRM assay to absolutely quantify structural proteins of VSV-GP, including processed GP1/GP2 and full-length GPC, to assess viral processing and infectivity.

XBB.1.5 Spike Protein COVID-19 Vaccine Induces Broadly Neutralizing and Cellular Immune Responses Against EG.5.1 and Emerging XBB Variants

This study shows that a monovalent XBB.1.5 spike protein vaccine induces broader neutralizing antibodies and stronger cellular immunity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants compared to bivalent vaccines.

Ascertainment bias in the genomic test of positive selection on regulatory sequences

The paper identifies ascertainment bias in a genomic test for positive selection on regulatory sequences and proposes methods to mitigate it.

Alternative mutational architectures producing identical M-matrices can lead to different patterns of evolutionary divergence

The paper shows that different mutational architectures producing the same M-matrix can lead to varying evolutionary outcomes like divergence and adaptation rates.

Neural stimulation hardware for the selective intrafascicular modulation of the vagus nerve

This paper presents a neural stimulator and intraneural electrode for selective vagus nerve stimulation, demonstrating selective modulation of physiological functions in pigs.

A transcriptional cell atlas identifies the decline in the AT2 niche in aged human lungs

This study creates a single-cell transcriptional atlas of human lungs across ages, revealing age-related dysregulation in AT2 cells and their niche, including increased senescence and inflammation.

Decoupling of evolutionary changes in mRNA and protein levels

The paper develops a theoretical model to study coevolution of mRNA and protein levels, finding that stabilizing selection leads to compensatory evolution, while directional selection causes negative correlation across lineages and positive correlation across genes.

Infinite Physical Monkey: Do Deep Learning Methods Really Perform Better in Conformation Generation?

The paper evaluates deep learning methods for molecular conformation generation by comparing them to a stochastic 'infinite physical monkey' approach, finding that the monkey method outperforms most DL-based methods in coverage and docking success.

Evaluating the Performance of Widely Used Phylogenetic Models for Gene Expression Evolution

The paper evaluates phylogenetic models for gene expression evolution using 8 datasets, finding Ornstein-Uhlenbeck models fit 66% of gene-tissue combinations best and highlighting the importance of accounting for evolutionary rate heterogeneity.

Structure of human NaV1.6 channel reveals Na+ selectivity and pore blockade by 4,9-anhydro-tetrodotoxin

The paper presents cryo-EM structures of human NaV1.6 channels with and without 4,9-anhydro-tetrodotoxin, revealing Na+ selectivity and inhibition mechanisms.

Innate immune receptor C5aR1 regulates cancer cell fate and can be targeted to improve radiotherapy in tumours with immunosuppressive microenvironments

This study identifies C5aR1 as a targetable receptor on cancer cells that enhances radiotherapy efficacy in immunosuppressive tumours by promoting apoptosis without affecting normal tissues.

The protist ubiquitin ligase effector PbE3-2 targets RD21A to impede plant immunity

This study identifies PbE3-2, a protist effector that degrades RD21A to suppress plant immunity, contributing to clubroot disease.

A potent synthetic nanobody with broad-spectrum activity neutralizes SARS-Cov-2 virus and Omicron variant through a unique binding mode

This paper reports a synthetic nanobody, C5G2, that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variants with high potency through a unique binding mechanism.

Tyrosine phosphorylation tunes chemical and thermal sensitivity of TRPV2 ion channel

This study shows that tyrosine phosphorylation modulates TRPV2's chemical and thermal sensitivity in macrophages through JAK1 and PTPN1.

Coral larvae suppress the heat stress response during the onset of symbiosis thereby decreasing their odds of survival

This study shows that coral larvae under thermal stress have reduced symbiont colonization and survival, with gene expression changes indicating a trade-off between stress response and symbiosis.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 deficiency leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and impacts salivary gland stem cell self-renewal, differentiation and survival

This study shows that ALDH3A1 deficiency causes mitochondrial dysfunction and impairs salivary gland stem cell self-renewal, differentiation, and survival.

Botrytis cinerea BcPTP1 is a late infection phase, cysteine rich protein cytotoxic effector

This study identifies BcPTP1 as a phytotoxic effector secreted by Botrytis cinerea during late infection, which induces cell death and promotes lesion spreading.

The REF6-dependent H3K27 demethylation establishes transcriptional competence to promote germination in Arabidopsis

This study investigates H3K27 demethylation during Arabidopsis germination, showing REF6 establishes a transcriptionally permissive state by counteracting PRC2 activity.

Detecting natural selection in trait-trait coevolution

The paper investigates trait-trait coevolution in yeast and flies, finding that natural selection, not pleiotropy, drives correlations between morphological traits.

Developing High-Affinity Decoy Receptor Optimized for Multiple Myeloma and Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Treatment

This paper develops an engineered sBCMA-Fc fusion protein with enhanced binding affinity to APRIL and BAFF, showing improved antitumor activity against multiple myeloma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma in preclinical models.

Structural basis for voltage-sensor trapping of the cardiac sodium channel by a deathstalker scorpon toxin

This study reveals the structure of a scorpion toxin bound to a cardiac sodium channel, showing how it traps the voltage sensor and alters channel gating without opening the channel.

Development of novel in vitro human alveolar epithelial cell models to study distal lung biology and disease

The paper develops novel immortalized human alveolar epithelial cell lines that can form organoids and exhibit lineage memory, offering a new in vitro model for distal lung biology and disease.

Controlling Cellular Arrangements via Stretched Bioprinting

This paper introduces a bioprinting method that controls cellular orientation through stretching, enabling aligned myofiber formation and effective tissue repair in vivo.

Computational optical sectioning by phase-space imaging with an incoherent multiscale scattering model

This paper introduces a computational method for optical sectioning using phase-space imaging with an incoherent multiscale scattering model, achieving improved signal-to-background ratio in biological samples.