M. Otto

Detecting adaptive changes in gene copy number distribution accompanying the human out-of-Africa expansion

The paper investigates whether gene copy number distribution changes in European and Asian populations during the human out-of-Africa expansion are due to demographic factors or adaptive selection.

Engineering Yeast to Improve Heterologous Abscisic Acid Production

This study improves heterologous abscisic acid production in yeast by identifying PAH1 gene fine-tuning as a promising engineering strategy.

Sense and Screen-ability: Development of tuneable, biosensor-based screening platforms for abscisic acid

The paper develops tunable biosensor-based screening platforms for optimizing ABA-producing enzymes in yeast.

Staphylococcus aureus delta toxin modulates both extracellular membrane vesicle biogenesis and amyloid formation

This study shows that Staphylococcus aureus delta toxin promotes both extracellular membrane vesicle biogenesis and amyloid fibril formation in vitro, but amyloids are not detected in vivo despite MVs being present.

ODF2 negatively regulates CP110 levels at centrioles/basal bodies to control biogenesis of primary cilia

This study shows ODF2 negatively regulates CP110 levels at centrioles to control primary cilia biogenesis by facilitating NEURL4 and HYLS1-mediated CP110 degradation.

Extensive re-modelling of the cell wall during the development of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia

This study identifies TcaA as a key regulator of cell wall remodeling in Staphylococcus aureus during bacteraemia, enhancing virulence by altering wall teichoic acids and peptidoglycan crosslinking.

Contribution of private game ranching and captive bred operations in South Africa to white rhino Ceratotherium simum species survival conservation

This study quantifies the contribution of private game ranching and captive breeding operations in South Africa to the conservation of southern white rhinos, showing higher population growth compared to protected areas.

Recombination, selection and the evolution of tandem gene arrays

The paper models the evolution of tandem gene arrays under recombination and selection, showing how copy number distribution and fitness depend on these factors and demographic parameters.

The effect of mating complexity on gene drive dynamics

This study examines how mating complexities affect gene drive dynamics, finding that mate-choice, mating systems, and spatial networks significantly influence spread rates and effectiveness.

Differential effect of ethanol intoxication on peripheral markers of cerebral injury in murine blunt TBI

This study examines how ethanol intoxication affects blood-based biomarkers of cerebral injury in mice after traumatic brain injury, finding differential impacts on NSE and NFL levels.

A small membrane protein critical to both the offensive and defensive capabilities of Staphylococcus aureus.

This study identifies and characterizes MasA, a small membrane protein in S. aureus that disrupts toxin production and immune resistance when inactivated, impairing infection in multiple models.