E. Bornberg-Bauer

De novo ORFs are more likely to shrink than to elongate during neutral evolution.

The paper models ORF evolution as a Markov-jump process and shows that de novo ORFs are more likely to shrink than elongate in neutral evolution, supporting the idea that selection retains longer ORFs.

High-throughput selection of human de novo-emerged sORFs with high folding potential

This study identifies human de novo proteins with high folding potential by screening for structural compactness and disorder using FRET and FACS.

How antisense transcripts can evolve to encode novel proteins

This study shows antisense transcript overlap with existing ORFs can increase ORF emergence and reduce ORF loss in specific reading frames.

Neutral models of de novo gene emergence suggest that gene evolution has a preferred trajectory

The paper develops neutral models to study de novo gene emergence, finding genes are lost faster than they emerge and long ORFs preferentially arise in transcribed regions.

Experimental characterisation of de novoproteins and their unevolved random-sequencecounterparts

The paper experimentally compares de novo proteins and synthetic random-sequence proteins to assess their solubility and structure propensity, finding de novo proteins are more soluble.

Evidence for a conserved queen-worker genetic toolkit across slave-making ants and their ant hosts

The paper shows that queen-worker gene expression differences are more consistent across ant species than lifestyle differences, supporting a conserved genetic toolkit for caste determination.

Gene co-expression network reveals highly conserved, well-regulated anti-ageing mechanisms in old ant queens.

The paper analyzes gene co-expression networks in old ant queens to identify anti-ageing mechanisms and finds increased transcriptional regulation and strong purifying selection on key genes.

Structural and functional characterization of a putative de novo gene in Drosophila

The paper characterizes a de novo gene in Drosophila, showing its structural features and role in male fertility through biochemical and evolutionary analyses.

Translational readthrough goes unseen by natural selection.

This paper investigates translational readthrough (TR) in yeasts, finding it is a near-neutral error not under selective pressure and may contribute to proteomic diversity.

High-Throughput, Lysis-free Screening for sulfatase Activity Using Escherichia coli Autodisplay in Microdroplets

This paper develops a high-throughput, lysis-free screening method using E. coli autodisplay and microdroplet sorting to identify sulfatase variants with improved activity.

Higher-order epistatic networks underlie the evolutionary fitness landscape of a xenobiotic- degrading enzyme

This study identifies five mutations that enable the evolution of a xenobiotic-degrading enzyme and shows that higher-order epistasis shapes its adaptive landscape and substrate specificity.

Hemimetabolous genomes reveal molecular basis of termite eusociality

The paper compares genomes and transcriptomes of termites and cockroaches to identify molecular mechanisms underlying termite eusociality, finding parallels and differences with Hymenoptera.