M. D. Koch

Fluid flow overcomes antimicrobial resistance by boosting delivery

This study shows that fluid flow enhances antimicrobial delivery to overcome resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by outcompeting bacterial neutralization mechanisms.

Prophages block cell surface receptors to ensure survival of their viral progeny

The paper identifies a prophage protein that modulates pilus dynamics to prevent phage progeny destruction, enhancing survival through quorum sensing.

Type-IV pili tune an adhesion-migration trade-off during surface colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This study shows that Pseudomonas aeruginosa balances adhesion and migration via type-IV pili, with passive adhesions and T4P dynamics affecting surface colonization efficiency.

Massively-parallel Microbial mRNA Sequencing (M3-Seq) reveals heterogenous behaviors in bacteria at single-cell resolution

The paper introduces M3-Seq, a single-cell RNA-sequencing platform for bacteria, and demonstrates its ability to reveal rare populations and stress response strategies.

Fluid flow sensitizes bacterial pathogens to chemical stress

The paper shows that fluid flow increases bacterial sensitivity to chemical stress by altering H2O2 gradients and transcriptional responses in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa differentiates substrate rigidity using retraction of type IV pili

This study shows Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses type IV pili retraction to sense substrate stiffness, with PilA concentration dynamics linked to transcriptional responses.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa detachment from surfaces via a self-made small molecule

This study identifies a Pseudomonas aeruginosa-produced small molecule, MHQ, that disperses surface-attached bacteria by inhibiting Type IV Pili activity.

Competitive binding of independent extension and retraction motors explains the quantitative dynamics of type IV pili

The paper quantifies type IV pili dynamics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and shows that extension and retraction are governed by competitive motor binding, with retraction motor unbinding limiting production.