G. H. Thomas

Structure, substrate selectivity determinants and membrane interactions of a Glutamate-specific TAXI TRAP binding protein from Vibrio cholerae.

This paper structurally and biochemically characterizes a glutamate-specific TRAP transporter from V. cholerae, revealing its substrate selectivity and membrane interaction mechanisms.

Characterisation of anhydro-sialic acid transporters from mucosa-associated bacteria

The paper identifies and characterizes anhydro-sialic acid transporters in bacteria, showing their specific or promiscuous substrate preferences.

The mechanistic basis of evolutionary transitions between grey, slate, and blue colour in Tanagers (Thraupidae)

The paper investigates the mechanistic basis of evolutionary transitions between grey, slate, and blue colours in Tanagers by analyzing spongy layer nanostructure parameters.

Evolutionary dynamics of pigmentary grey and non- iridescent structural blue colouration in Tanagers (family: Thraupidae)

The paper investigates evolutionary transitions between pigmentary grey and non-iridescent structural blue in tanagers, identifying a new pathway through a transitional 'slate' color.

Interrogation of RNA-protein interaction dynamics in bacterial growth

This study characterizes RNA-protein interaction dynamics in Escherichia coli across growth phases, identifying new RNA-binding proteins and their functions.

Conformational coupling of the sialic acid TRAP transporter HiSiaQM with its substrate binding protein HiSiaP

The paper demonstrates conformational coupling between the TRAP transporter HiSiaQM and its substrate binding protein HiSiaP using disulfide engineering and single-molecule TIRF microscopy.

The phase separated CO2-fixing pyrenoid proteome determined by TurboID

The paper uses TurboID-based proximity labeling to identify the pyrenoid proteome in Chlamydomonas, revealing known and novel proteins and suggesting new functions.

Overconfidence undermines global wildlife abundance trends

The paper shows current abundance trend estimates are unreliable due to unaccounted phylogenetic, spatial, and temporal structures, and introduces a new framework to improve accuracy and uncertainty estimation.

Innovation and elaboration on the avian tree of life

The paper examines megaevolutionary patterns in bird beak diversity, finding that elaboration is common across scales while innovation drives major phenotypic changes through gradual processes.

A novel fold for acyltransferase-3 (AT3) proteins provides a framework for transmembrane acyl-group transfer

This study identifies a novel fold for the AT3 domain in bacterial acetyltransferases, revealing a mechanism for transmembrane acyl-group transfer and providing a framework for inhibitor development.

The structure of HiSiaQM defines the architecture of tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic (TRAP) transporters

This paper presents the first cryo-EM structure of TRAP transporter membrane domains and identifies structural features that enable monomeric elevator architecture.

Segmenting biological specimens from photos to understand the evolution of UV plumage in passerine birds

The paper develops a deep learning segmentation pipeline to analyze UV plumage in passerine birds, finding widespread UV reflectance and its association with light environment and visual system sensitivity.

Multiple evolutionary origins reflect the importance of sialic acid transporters in the colonisation potential of bacterial pathogens and commensals.

This study identifies multiple evolutionary origins of sialic acid transporters in bacteria, highlighting their role in host-microbe interactions and microbial colonization.

Triggering closure of a sialic acid TRAP transporter substrate binding protein through binding of natural or artificial substrates

This study investigates the conformational changes in the sialic acid TRAP transporter SBP VcSiaP upon substrate binding, showing that substrate induces closure and provides structural insights for inhibitor development.

Cross-validation of distance measurements in proteins by PELDOR/DEER and single-molecule FRET

This study compares PELDOR/DEER and smFRET for measuring distances in proteins, identifying discrepancies caused by cryoprotectants and label-protein interactions.

Simulating the evolutionary trajectories of metabolic pathways for insect symbionts in the Sodalis genus

The paper uses metabolic modeling and evolutionary algorithms to simulate the evolutionary trajectories of Sodalis glossinidius after internalization, showing gene loss impacts on evolved populations.

Ecology, phylogeny, and the evolution of developmental duration in birds

This study investigates the factors influencing developmental duration in birds using phylogenetic and ecological data, finding that body size, ecology, and evolutionary history explain most of the variation.