E. Gluck-Thaler

Gene acquisition by giant transposons primes eukaryotes for rapid evolution via horizontal gene transfer

The paper shows that giant transposons in fungi acquire beneficial genes through horizontal gene transfer, enabling rapid adaptation.

Copy number variation introduced by a massive mobile element underpins global thermal adaptation in a fungal wheat pathogen

The paper identifies copy number variation (CNV) driven by a mobile element as a key factor in thermal adaptation and metabolic changes in the fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici.

Multivariate divergence in wild microbes: no evidence for evolution along a genetic line of least resistance

The paper tests if microbial trait divergence follows genetic lines of least resistance and finds no evidence for this pattern in fungal endophytes.

Gene age predicts the transcriptional landscape of sexual morphogenesis in multicellular fungi

The paper shows that gene age predicts transcriptional patterns during sexual morphogenesis in multicellular fungi, with younger genes showing more expression variation and functional specialization.

Repeated gain and loss of a single gene modulates the evolution of vascular pathogen lifestyles

The paper shows that the gene cbsA acts as a switch for vascular vs. non-vascular pathogenesis in bacteria, with its presence and absence linked to lifestyle evolution.

Psychoactive plant- and mushroom-associated alkaloids from two behavior modifying cicada pathogens

The paper identifies psychoactive alkaloids in cicada pathogens, suggesting chemical-induced behavioral modification to enhance spore dispersal.

Fungal adaptation to plant defenses through convergent assembly of metabolic modules

This study investigates how fungi adapt to plant defenses by convergently assembling metabolic modules, showing that genome structural rearrangements and enzyme modularity are key to metabolic adaptation.

Horizontal gene cluster transfer increased hallucinogenic mushroom diversity

The paper identifies horizontal transfer of a psilocybin gene cluster among hallucinogenic mushroom species and suggests it provides a fitness advantage in specific ecological niches.