K. Sakai

Live-cell fluorescence imaging and optogenetic control of PKA kinase activity in fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

This paper develops a biosensor to visualize and manipulate PKA activity in fission yeast, revealing its dynamics during cell cycle phases.

Cytoplasmic fluidization triggers breaking spore dormancy in fission yeast.

This study identifies a signaling pathway in fission yeast spores that fluidizes the cytoplasm during dormancy breaking, enabling rapid cellular responses to glucose.

Yeast-based heterologous production of the Colletochlorin family of fungal secondary metabolites

The paper develops a yeast-based system for heterologous production of fungal secondary metabolites, linking the Colletochlorin family to their biosynthetic genes.

Alcanivorax borkumensis Biofilms Enhance Oil Degradation By Interfacial Tubulation

A. borkumensis biofilms transition from thick to thin dendritic phenotypes to enhance oil consumption through interfacial tubulation and reduced interfacial tension.

Creation of photocyclic vertebrate rhodopsin by single amino acid substitution

This study shows that a single amino acid substitution at position 188 converts vertebrate rhodopsin to a photocyclic and photoreversible state, revealing its role in opsin functional diversification.

Emergence of a novel mobile RND-type efflux pump gene cluster, tmexC3D2-toprJ1b, in Pseudomonas species

The paper identifies a novel tmexC3D2-toprJ1b gene cluster conferring tigecycline resistance in Pseudomonas species, acquired via horizontal gene transfer.

Near-infrared imaging in fission yeast by genetically encoded biosynthesis of phycocyanobilin

This paper demonstrates that phycocyanobilin enhances iRFP fluorescence in fission yeast, enabling live-cell near-infrared imaging through engineered biosynthesis systems.

Frequent PIK3CA mutations in eutopic endometrium of patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma

This study identifies frequent PIK3CA mutations in eutopic endometrium of ovarian clear cell carcinoma patients, showing high mutation rates and intratumor heterogeneity.

Implementation of single molecule FRET for visualizing intramolecular movement in CRISPR-Cas9

This paper describes methods to visualize flexible inter-domain movements of Cas9 using single molecule FRET and discusses necessary complementary experiments for accurate analysis.

Design of a comprehensive microfluidic and microscopic toolbox for the ultra-wide spatio-temporal study of plant protoplasts development and physiology

This paper presents a microfluidic and microscopic setup for long-term study of Physcomitrella patens protoplast development and physiology.