M. Kjos

The Spx stress regulator confers high-level β-lactam resistance and decreases susceptibility to last-line antibiotics in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

This study identifies Spx as a stress regulator that enhances β-lactam resistance and reduces susceptibility to last-line antibiotics in MRSA through a redox-independent mechanism.

The function of CozE proteins is linked to lipoteichoic acid biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus

This study identifies CozE proteins as regulators of lipoteichoic acid biosynthesis and membrane homeostasis in Staphylococcus aureus through genetic and biochemical analyses.

Genome-wide CRISPRi screens reveal the essentialome and determinants for susceptibility to dalbavancin in Staphylococcus aureus

This study uses CRISPRi screens to identify genes affecting dalbavancin susceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus, revealing both known and novel factors.

Denitrification by bradyrhizobia under feast and famine and the role of the bc1 complex in securing electrons for N2O reduction

This paper shows that bradyrhizobia retain their preference for N2O reduction over nitrate reduction under carbon starvation, suggesting they can act as N2O sinks in soils.

High-throughput profiling of drug interactions in Gram-positive bacteria

This study systematically tests drug combinations in Gram-positive bacteria, identifying many new synergies and antagonisms, including effective combinations against drug-resistant strains.

SmdA is a novel cell morphology determinant in Staphylococcus aureus

This study identifies SmdA as a critical membrane protein in Staphylococcus aureus that regulates cell division and affects antibiotic susceptibility.

Streptococcus pneumoniae rapidly translocates from the nasopharynx through the cribriform plate to invade and inflame the dura

This study shows Streptococcus pneumoniae rapidly translocates from the nose through the cribriform plate to the meninges without entering the bloodstream.

Spatio-temporal control of DNA replication by the pneumococcal cell cycle regulator CcrZ

This study identifies CcrZ as a regulator that couples DNA replication with cell division in pneumococci by controlling DnaA activity, ensuring proper chromosome inheritance.

EloR interacts with the lytic transglycosylase MltG at midcell in Streptococcus pneumoniae R6.

This paper identifies EloR as a key regulator of cell elongation in Streptococcus pneumoniae by interacting with MltG at midcell to coordinate PG synthesis with division.

BactMAP: an R package for integrating, analyzing and visualizing bacterial microscopy data

BactMAP is an R package that integrates and visualizes bacterial microscopy data, enabling custom analysis and comparison across different segmentation tools.

Class A PBPs have a distinct and unique role in the construction of the pneumococcal cell wall.

This study identifies a specific role for class A PBPs in processing nascent peptidoglycan synthesized by the divisome in S. pneumoniae.

Prevention of EloR/KhpA heterodimerization by introduction of site-specific amino acid substitutions renders the essential elongasome protein PBP2b redundant in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

This paper shows that disrupting EloR/KhpA heterodimerization in S. pneumoniae makes the elongasome redundant, highlighting the complex's role in regulating cell division.

CozEa and CozEb play overlapping and essential roles in controlling cell division in Staphylococcus aureus

This study identifies CozEa and CozEb as essential for cell division in S. aureus, showing they work together with EzrA and are conserved in S. pneumoniae.

Eavesdropping and crosstalk between quorum sensing peptide signals that regulate bacteriocin production in Streptococcus pneumoniae

The paper investigates social interactions in Streptococcus pneumoniae by analyzing QS signals and receptors, revealing eavesdropping and crosstalk that influence bacteriocin production.

High-throughput CRISPRi phenotyping in Streptococcus pneumoniae identifies new essential genes involved in cell wall synthesis and competence development

This study uses CRISPRi to identify essential genes in S. pneumoniae, revealing roles in cell wall synthesis and competence development, and highlights potential antibiotic targets.

Chromosome segregation drives division site selection in Streptococcus pneumoniae

This study shows that chromosome segregation, not protein factors, determines division site selection in Streptococcus pneumoniae by linking DNA replication timing to FtsZ and MapZ positioning.

Quorum sensing integrates environmental cues, cell density and cell history to control bacterial competence

The paper shows that CSP in Streptococcus pneumoniae integrates cell density, environmental cues, and cell history to control competence, supported by experimental data and a mathematical model.