M. Menon

Two teosintes made modern maize

This study clarifies the origin of modern maize by showing it resulted from an ancient admixture between domesticated maize and Zea mays ssp. mexicana around 5300 years ago, contributing to genetic and phenotypic diversity.

Reduced SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine immunogenicity and protection in mice with diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.

Shaping neonatal immunization by tuning delivery of synergistic adjuvants via nanocarriers

This study identifies synergistic adjuvants for neonatal immunization using nanocarriers, showing enhanced Th1 bias and humoral responses in mice.

The conserved AAA-ATPase PCH-2 distributes its regulation of meiotic prophase events by remodeling multiple meiotic HORMADs in C. elegans

This study shows PCH-2 remodels meiotic HORMADs in C. elegans to regulate homolog pairing, synapsis, and recombination, ensuring accurate meiotic progression.

Variation in gene expression patterns across a conifer hybrid zone highlights the architecture of adaptive evolution under novel selective pressures

The paper examines gene expression variation in a conifer hybrid zone to understand adaptive evolution under novel climatic conditions and finds strong genotype-environment interactions and pleiotropy.

Alum:CpG adjuvant enables SARS-CoV-2 RBD-induced protection in aged mice and synergistic activation of human elder type 1 immunity

This study evaluates AH:CpG adjuvant's ability to enhance RBD vaccine efficacy in aged mice and human elder cells, showing strong neutralizing antibody responses and cytokine production.

Differential levels of IFNα subtypes in autoimmunity and viral infection

The paper develops an ultrasensitive ELISA for IFN2 and applies it to study IFN subtype responses in viral infection and autoimmunity, revealing distinct protein ratios and potential auto-antibody effects.

Clonal evaluation of prostate cancer molecular heterogeneity in biopsy samples by dual immunohistochemistry and dual RNA in situ hybridization

The paper evaluates molecular heterogeneity in prostate cancer biopsy samples using dual immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization, finding clonal differences and higher heterogeneity in African American patients.

The Impact of a Wireless Audio System on Communication in Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery: A Prospective Controlled Trial

This study evaluates the impact of wireless audio headsets on communication and noise levels in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, finding improved communication quality and reduced peak noise.

Clonal evaluation of early onset prostate cancer by expression profiling of ERG, SPINK1, ETV1, and ETV4 on whole mount radical prostatectomy tissue

Virus-like vesicles expressing multiple antigens for immunotherapy of chronic hepatitis B

This paper develops virus-like vesicles (VLV) expressing multiple HBV antigens for immunotherapy of chronic hepatitis B, showing 40% efficacy in a mouse model.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer: Androgen receptor inactivation induces telomere DNA damage, and damage response inhibition leads to cell death

This study shows that combining an AR antagonist with an ATM inhibitor induces telomere DNA damage and DDR inhibition, leading to cell death in CRPC cells.

The genomics of local adaptation in trees: Are we out of the woods yet?

This paper reviews the genetic basis of local adaptation in trees, highlighting the limitations of single-locus approaches and advocating for better methods and data sharing.

Genome-wide and high-density CRISPR-Cas9 screens identify point mutations in PARP1 causing PARP inhibitor resistance

The paper identifies PARP1 point mutations causing PARP inhibitor resistance through CRISPR-Cas9 screens and shows their impact on PARP1 trapping and chemotherapy sensitivity.

The role of hybridization during ecological divergence of southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis) and limber pine (P. flexilis)

This study examines the role of hybridization and ecological factors in the divergence of southwestern white pine and limber pine, finding continuous gene flow and climate-driven isolating mechanisms.