David M. Stevenson

Understanding the Role of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase in Listeria monocytogenes Virulence

This study identifies PDH complex defects in L. monocytogenes as critical for intracellular survival, showing that PDH mutants fail to utilize PTS-dependent carbon sources, leading to reduced virulence.

Metabolic imbalance limits fermentation in microbes engineered for high-titer ethanol production

The paper identifies thermodynamic limitations in engineered microbial strains that prevent high-titer ethanol production by analyzing metabolite profiles and thermodynamic driving forces.

Investigation of Bile Salt Hydrolase Activity in Human Gut Bacteria Reveals Production of Conjugated Secondary Bile Acids

This study investigates BSH activity in human gut bacteria and finds that some strains can directly dehydrogenate conjugated bile acids to produce conjugated secondary bile acids, challenging the idea that deconjugation is a prerequisite for further modifications.

Thermodynamics shape the in vivo enzyme burden of glycolytic pathways

The paper quantifies enzyme burdens in glycolytic pathways of three bacteria, finding that thermodynamically favorable pathways require less enzymatic protein to sustain the same flux.

Allosteric Regulation of Pyruvate Kinase Enables Efficient and Robust Gluconeogenesis by Preventing Metabolic Conflicts and Carbon Overflow

This study identifies allosteric regulation of pyruvate kinase in Bacillus subtilis as critical for efficient gluconeogenesis by preventing metabolic conflicts and carbon overflow.

Design of synthetic human gut microbiome assembly and function

The paper designs a synthetic human gut microbiome to explore butyrate production using a model-guided experimental framework.