L. K. Fritz-Laylin

Discovery of an endogenous DNA virus in the amphibian killing fungus and its association with pathogen genotype and virulence

The paper identifies a DNA virus in the amphibian-killing fungus Bd and links its presence to reduced host growth and increased virulence.

A conserved pressure-driven mechanism for regulating cytosolic osmolarity

The paper identifies a conserved pressure-driven mechanism for osmoregulation using contractile vacuoles in three distantly related eukaryotic species.

Naegleria's mitotic spindles are built from unique tubulins and highlight core spindle features

The paper identifies unique mitotic tubulins in Naegleria amoebae and characterizes their spindle structure, suggesting ancestral features of mitosis.

Identification of antibiotics for use in selection of the chytrid fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans

The paper tests five antibiotics for their effectiveness in selecting genetically modified cells of the chytrid fungi Bd and Bsal.

The actin networks of chytrid fungi reveal evolutionary loss of cytoskeletal complexity in the fungal kingdom

This study examines actin cytoskeletal structures in chytrid fungi, revealing evolutionary loss of complexity compared to yeast and animal cells.

High-Efficiency Electroporation of Chytrid Fungi

This paper develops a high-efficiency electroporation method for delivering molecular payloads into chytrid zoospores, enabling genetic studies of these fungi.

Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin assembly drives microtubule-independent motility and phagocytosis in the evolutionarily divergent amoeba Naegleria

This study shows Naegleria amoebae use Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin assembly for motility and phagocytosis without microtubules, supporting an ancient origin of these processes.

Genetic transformation and live-cell nuclear and actin dynamics during the life cycle of a chytrid

This study uses genetic tools to analyze live-cell nuclear and actin dynamics in the chytrid Spizellomyces punctatus, revealing rapid life cycle stages and actin reorganization during development.

Three-dimensional actin-based protrusions of migrating neutrophils are intrinsically lamellar and facilitate direction changes

This study uses lattice light sheet microscopy to analyze three-dimensional neutrophil pseudopods, revealing their lamellar structure and role in directional changes.

WASP and SCAR are evolutionarily conserved in actin-filled pseudopod-based motility

The paper identifies WASP and SCAR as conserved genes involved in actin-filled pseudopod-based motility across eukaryotes, supported by functional and evolutionary evidence.