I. J. Finkelstein

PARP1 condensates differentially partition DNA repair proteins and enhance DNA ligation

This study shows PARP1 condensates partition DNA repair proteins and enhance DNA ligation through PARylation-dependent mechanisms.

Asgard archaea defense systems and their roles in the origin of immunity in eukaryotes

This study identifies defense systems in Asgard archaea, showing their role in the origin of eukaryotic immunity and potential biomedical applications.

Unraveling the mechanisms of PAMless DNA interrogation by SpRY Cas9

This study investigates how SpRY-Cas9 recognizes DNA targets without requiring a PAM sequence, revealing structural and kinetic mechanisms that improve genome editing versatility.

DNA capture and loop extrusion dynamics by cohesin-NIPBL

This study uses high-speed AFM to show cohesin-NIPBL captures DNA through arm extension and initiates loop extrusion without ATP hydrolysis, revealing mechanisms of DNA binding and loop formation.

MRN and Topoisomerase IIIα-RMI1/2 synchronize DNA resection motor proteins

This study uses single-molecule imaging to show how MRN and TOP3A-RMI1/2 coordinate with BLM and DNA2 to efficiently resect DNA during homologous recombination.

Antibody escape and cryptic cross-domain stabilization in the SARS CoV-2 Omicron spike protein

This study examines the molecular effects of Omicron spike mutations on ACE2 binding and antibody escape, revealing compensatory stabilizing mutations that enable high mutation counts.

How Glutamate Promotes Liquid-liquid Phase Separation and DNA Binding Cooperativity of E. coli SSB Protein

This study shows that potassium glutamate promotes liquid-liquid phase separation and non-nearest-neighbor cooperativity of E. coli SSB protein through amide group interactions, while KCl inhibits these processes.

Massively Parallel Selection of NanoCluster Beacons

The paper develops a high-throughput method to screen and design multicolor NanoCluster Beacons using NGS chips and machine learning.

In Diverse Conditions Intrinsic Chromatin Condensates Have Liquid-like Material Properties

This study shows that intrinsic chromatin condensates exhibit liquid-like properties under diverse conditions, challenging previous claims of their solidity.

Mechanism of broad-spectrum Cas9 inhibition by AcrIIA11

This study shows AcrIIA11 inhibits multiple Cas9 variants by trapping them on non-specific DNA, preventing target recognition and cleavage.

Polymerase theta-helicase promotes end joining by stripping single-stranded DNA-binding proteins and bridging DNA ends

This study shows that Pol{theta}-helicase removes RPA and RAD51 from ssDNA and bridges DNA ends to facilitate TMEJ.

Rapid characterization of spike variants via mammalian cell surface display

This study characterizes SARS-CoV-2 spike variants by assessing their expression, ACE2 binding, and neutralizing antibody recognition across multiple variants.

Disintegration promotes proto-spacer integration by the Cas1-Cas2 complex

The paper investigates the role of disintegration in proto-spacer integration by the Cas1-Cas2 complex, showing it facilitates integration through DNA repair pathways.

CRISPR-guided programmable self-assembly of artificial virus-like nucleocapsids

This paper uses CRISPR-Cas12a to direct the self-assembly of synthetic polypeptides into virus-like particles on specific DNA templates, enabling efficient and programmable DNA encapsidation.

Inhibition of CRISPR-Cas12a DNA Targeting by Nucleosomes and Chromatin

This study shows that nucleosomes inhibit CRISPR-Cas12a binding and cleavage, with DNA unwrapping enhancing accessibility and cleavage rates.

Structure-based Design of Prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 Spikes

This study designs and characterizes prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike variants to improve protein yield and stability for vaccine and diagnostic development.

A mechanistic model improves off-target predictions and reveals the physical basis of SpCas9 fidelity

This paper develops a mechanistic model to predict SpCas9 off-target activity and explains its structural basis for fidelity.

RADX condenses single-stranded DNA to antagonize RAD51 loading

This study shows RADX condenses single-stranded DNA and blocks RAD51 loading, revealing its role in regulating DNA replication and repair.

RPA phosphorylation regulates DNA resection

This study identifies RPA phosphorylation as a mechanism that limits DNA resection by regulating BLM helicase activity in human cells.

Intrinsically disordered regions regulate both catalytic and non-catalytic activities of the MutLα mismatch repair complex.

The paper shows that intrinsically disordered regions in the yeast MutL complex regulate both DNA binding and enzymatic activities essential for mismatch repair.