M. Franco

The genetic architecture of the human bZIP family

The paper systematically mutagenizes human bZIP domains and uses deep mutational scanning to quantify interactions, revealing complex genetic architecture and enabling synthetic bZIP design.

Cell sorting based on single nucleotide variation enables characterization of mutation-dependent transcriptome and chromatin states.

The paper develops STAR-FACS to sort cells by SNVs and shows distinct transcriptomes in glioblastoma cells with different TERT promoter mutations.

Red blood cell passage through deformable interendothelial slits in the spleen: Insights into splenic filtration and hemodynamics

This study uses computational models to show that deformable interendothelial slits in the spleen better predict RBC filtration compared to rigid models, improving understanding of splenic hemodynamics and filtration mechanisms.

Direction mutation pressure of SARS-CoV-2 helps to understand the past and predict the future evolution: C>U and G>U biased mutagenesis forces the majority of amino-acid substitutions to be from CG-rich losers to U-rich gainers

The paper analyzes SARS-CoV-2 mutagenesis, showing C>U and G>U biases drive amino-acid substitutions from CG-rich losers to U-rich gainers, with implications for vaccine design.

Prey resources are more important than climatic conditions for predicting the distribution of a broad-ranged apex predator

This study shows prey resources are more important than climate for predicting the distribution of harpy eagles, with prey species richness contributing significantly to model performance.

Habitat resource overlap in two broad-ranged sympatric Neotropical forest eagles

This study quantifies habitat resource overlap between two Neotropical forest eagles at different spatial resolutions, finding high geographical overlap but reduced environmental overlap.

Range-wide habitat use and Key Biodiversity Area coverage for a lowland tropical forest raptor across an increasingly deforested landscape

This study models harpy eagle habitat use across Neotropical forests and identifies gaps in the Key Biodiversity Area network for conservation planning.

Shotgun Immunoproteomic Approach for the Discovery of Linear B Cell Epitopes in Biothreat Agents Francisella tularensis and Burkholderia pseudomallei

This study develops a shotgun immunoproteomic method to identify linear B cell epitopes in Francisella tularensis and Burkholderia pseudomallei, revealing both known and novel antigens.

Mammalian mitochondrial mutational spectrum as a hallmark of cellular and organismal aging.

The paper investigates mtDNA mutational spectra across species and tissues, finding a correlation between AH>GH substitutions and longevity, suggesting it as a potential oxidative damage signature in mtDNA.

Metagenomes from the Loxahatchee wildlife refuge in the Florida Everglades

The paper analyzes metagenomes from sediment samples in the Florida Everglades to characterize microbial and viral communities, their taxonomic composition, and functional potential, revealing correlations between environmental factors and gene frequencies.

EFA6B regulates a stop signal for collective invasion in breast cancer

This study shows that EFA6B loss promotes collective invasion in breast cancer by reprogramming cell-ECM interactions and activating CDC42, as seen in patient-derived invasive tumors.

The physical form of microbial ligands bypasses the need for dendritic cell migration to stimulate adaptive immunity

This study shows that soluble fungal polysaccharides are immunosilent in peripheral tissues but become potent immunogens in draining lymph nodes without requiring dendritic cell migration.

Robust and clinically relevant prediction of response to anti-cancer drugs via network integration of molecular profiles

The paper introduces NEAmarker, a method for pathway-level biomarker discovery that outperforms existing methods in cross-platform integration, consistency, and survival prediction.