M. Obornik

Paradigm shift in eukaryotic biocrystallization

The paper uses Raman microscopy to analyze crystalline inclusions in eukaryotes, revealing that 80% contain purines, suggesting an ancestral and widespread biocrystallization process with metabolic and optical functions.

Phylogenetic profiling suggests early origin of the core subunits of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2)

The paper uses phylogenetic analysis to show that PRC2 core subunits originated in early eukaryotic lineages, with E(z) and ESC present in the conserved core and Su(z)12 possibly emerging later.

Proximity proteomics in a marine diatom reveals a putative cell surface-to-chloroplast iron trafficking pathway

The paper uses proximity proteomics to identify proteins associated with phytotransferrin in a marine diatom, suggesting a potential iron trafficking pathway from the cell surface to the chloroplast.

The cryptic plastid of Euglena longa defines a new type of non-photosynthetic plastid organelles

This paper identifies a unique non-photosynthetic plastid in Euglena longa with novel metabolic functions, including tocopherol and phylloquinone synthesis and a modified Calvin-Benson pathway.

Peculiar features of the plastids of the colourless alga Euglena longa and photosynthetic euglenophytes unveiled by transcriptome analyses

This study analyzes the transcriptome of Euglena longa to reveal unique features of euglenophyte plastids, including novel protein targeting mechanisms and gene acquisitions.