L. D. Williams

BEAN and HABAS: Polyphyletic insertions in RNAP that point to deep-time evolutionary divergence of bacteria

The paper identifies BEAN and HABAS domains in bacterial RNA polymerase subunits, showing their evolutionary divergence and phylogenetic distribution.

Tailoring Tfh Profiles Enhances Antibody Persistence to a Clade C HIV-1 Vaccine in Rhesus Macaques

This study shows that inducing GC Tfh1 cells with MPLA+QS-21 adjuvant leads to higher and longer-lasting HIV-1 Env antibodies in rhesus macaques compared to CAF01.

Common evolutionary origins of the bacterial glycyl tRNA synthetase and alanyl tRNA synthetase

The paper investigates the evolutionary origins of bacterial glycyl tRNA synthetase (bacGlyRS) and its relationship to alanyl tRNA synthetase, finding common ancestral domains and suggesting a stepwise domain accumulation process.

Depletion Assisted Hemin Affinity (DAsHA) Proteomics Reveals an Expanded Landscape of Heme Binding Proteins

The paper introduces a chemoproteomics method to identify heme-binding proteins, revealing new roles for heme in chromatin remodeling, DNA repair, RNA splicing, and vesicular trafficking.

The Evolution of Protein Folds by Creative Destruction

The paper identifies a mechanism called creative destruction that explains how new protein folds evolve from existing ones through gene duplication, merging, and adaptation.

Goldilocks and RNA: Where Mg2+ concentration is just right

The paper shows that Mg2+ concentration can both protect and degrade RNA, with structured RNA showing a 'Goldilocks peak' in lifetime at optimal Mg2+ levels.

Is Palmer's elm leaf goldenrod real? The Angiosperms353 kit provides within-species signal in Solidago ulmifolia s.l.

The paper evaluates the taxonomic status of Solidago ulmifolia var. palmeri using morphological and phylogenomic analyses, finding no support for its distinct status and suggesting its name be discarded.

On the potential of Angiosperms353 for population genomics.

This study evaluates Angiosperms353 for population genomics using herbarium specimens, finding sufficient variation to calculate demographic parameters despite low individual sampling.

Human Ribosomal G-Quadruplexes Regulate Heme Bioavailability

This study shows human ribosomes form G-quadruplexes in vivo that regulate heme bioavailability through interactions with G4 ligands and heme sensors.

Supersized ribosomal RNA expansion segments in Asgard archaea

The paper identifies supersized rRNA expansion segments in Asgard archaea, suggesting they may represent an intermediate step in the evolution of eukaryotic ribosomal complexity.

G-quadruplex formation on specific surface-exposed regions of the human ribosomal RNA

This study identifies G-quadruplex-forming regions in human ribosomal RNA, specifically in Expansion Segment 7, and shows their presence in chordate LSU rRNA.

Multiple prebiotic metals mediate translation

The paper tests whether Fe2+ and Mn2+ could replace Mg2+ in ribosome function under ancient Earth conditions, finding they can mediate translation and associate with the ribosome.