J. Moran

Emergent predictability in microbial ecosystems

This paper introduces an information-theoretic framework to quantify emergent predictability in microbial ecosystems, showing that increased community richness enhances predictive power of simple compositional descriptions.

Application of chimeric antigens to paper-based diagnostics for detection of West Nile virus infections of Crocodylus porosus: a novel animal test case

The paper develops a lateral flow assay using chimeric antigens to detect West Nile virus seroconversion in crocodiles, achieving 100% sensitivity and specificity.

Modulation of Polar Auxin Transport Identifies the Molecular Determinants of Source-Sink Carbon Relationships and Sink Strength in Poplar

This study uses auxin modulators to investigate carbon allocation and sink strength in poplar, identifying molecular factors like polygalacturonase and β-amylase that influence sink activity.

Single-cell imaging reveals non-cooperative and cooperative infection strategies of Listeria monocytogenes in macrophages

This study uses live-cell microscopy to show that L. monocytogenes infection of macrophages leads to heterogeneous outcomes, with non-cooperative bacterial behavior and population-level PrfA regulation affecting replication success.

Elaboration of a MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry-based Assay of Parkin Activity and High-Throughput screening platform for Parkin Activators

The paper develops two MALDI-TOF MS-based methods to quantify Parkin E3 ligase activity in vitro, enabling high-throughput screening of Parkin activators.

Defining coarse-grainability in a model of structured microbial ecosystems

The paper defines coarse-grainability in microbial ecosystems by showing that simplified models can accurately represent complex systems under specific conditions.

Identification of a Novel Base J Binding Protein Complex Involved in RNA Polymerase II Transcription Termination in Trypanosomes

This study identifies a novel J-binding protein complex involved in RNA Polymerase II transcription termination in trypanosomes, linking base J modification to termination regulation.

A hydrogen dependent geochemical analogue of primordial carbon and energy metabolism

This paper demonstrates that hydrothermal minerals catalyze CO2 fixation with H2 under alkaline conditions, producing organic compounds similar to the acetyl-CoA pathway.

Unraveling the mechanism of the cadherin-catenin-actin catch bond

The paper presents a theoretical model explaining the catch bond mechanism in the cadherin-catenin-actin complex, identifying energy barriers and their role in force regulation.

Comparative Genomics of Staphylococcus Reveals Determinants of Speciation and Diversification of Antimicrobial Defense.

This study identifies key orthologous proteins that distinguish Staphylococcus species groups and reveals the role of antimicrobial resistance systems in their diversification.

Metals enable a non-enzymatic acetyl CoA pathway

The paper demonstrates that transition metals fix CO2 into acetate and pyruvate, mimicking the AcCoA pathway, and supports the idea that CO2 fixation evolved from geochemical processes.