H. Hikida

Eukaryotic genomic data uncover an extensive host range of mirusviruses

This study identifies mirusvirus markers in eukaryotic genomes, revealing a broader host range and greater diversity than previously known.

Complex genomes of early nucleocytoviruses revealed by ancient origins of viral aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases

The paper analyzes viral aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) in nucleocytoviruses to determine their evolutionary origins and find that some predate the last common eukaryotic ancestor.

Gene transfer among viruses substantially contributes to gene gain of giant viruses

The paper investigates viral horizontal gene transfer (vHGT) among nucleocytoviruses and finds it accounts for 28% to 42% of gene gain events in each viral order.

A 1.5 Mb continuous endogenous viral region in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis

The paper identifies a 1.5 Mb viral region in Rhizophagus irregularis, suggesting recent infection by a dsDNA virus.

A rapid genome-wide analysis of isolated giant viruses only using MinION sequencing

This study demonstrates that MinION-only sequencing can accurately assemble giant virus genomes, enabling rapid genome-wide analysis of newly isolated viruses.

Baculovirus bv/odv-e26 is required for host behavioral manipulation by optimizing viral virulence to lepidopteran hosts

This study shows that baculovirus bv/odv-e26 suppresses viral virulence to synchronize hyperactivity with behavioral changes in lepidopteran hosts, and identifies conserved homologues across NPVs.

KaicoTracker: a robust and automated locomotory analysis for baculovirus-infected silkworm larvae

KaicoTracker automates locomotory analysis of BmNPV-infected silkworm larvae, improving accuracy and reducing manual steps for tracking inactive larvae.

Two complete genomes of male-killing Wolbachia infecting Ostrinia moth species illuminate their evolutionary dynamics and association with hosts

This study sequenced two male-killing Wolbachia genomes from Ostrinia moths, revealing minimal genome evolution and recent introgression, and provided insights into host-symbiont evolutionary dynamics.

Reprogramming of larval locomotory pattern during baculovirus-induced host manipulation

This study develops a method to continuously track larval locomotion during baculovirus infection and finds that infected larvae exhibit altered locomotory patterns compared to uninfected larvae.