M. Perez

A human-ACE2 knock-in mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 infection recapitulates respiratory disorders but avoids neurological disease associated with the transgenic K18-hACE2 model.

This paper introduces a knock-in mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 infection that replicates respiratory issues but avoids neurological disease seen in the K18-hACE2 model.

The dimorphic diaspore model Aethionema arabicum (Brassicaceae): Distinct molecular and morphological control of responses to parental and germination temperatures

The paper investigates how parental and germination temperatures affect molecular and morphological responses in dimorphic diaspores of Aethionema arabicum, identifying gene expression and hormonal differences that regulate dormancy and germination.

Novel Spike-stabilized trimers with improved production protect K18-hACE2 mice and golden Syrian hamsters from the highly pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant.

This paper identifies mutations that improve the production and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 Spike proteins, protecting animal models from the Beta variant.

Spatiotemporal mapping of the contractile and adhesive forces sculpting early C. elegans embryos

This study maps spatiotemporal changes in cellular tensions during early C. elegans embryo development using a hybrid inference pipeline validated with AFM and live microscopy.

A Novel Monoclonal Antibody Targeting a Large Surface of the Receptor Binding Motif Shows Pan-neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Activity Including BQ.1.1 Variant

This study characterizes a new monoclonal antibody, 17T2, that broadly neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants, including BQ.1.1, and shows in vivo prophylactic activity against Omicron BA.1.1.

Conditional covalent lethality driven by oncometabolite accumulation

The paper identifies a covalent small molecule, MP-1, that exhibits FH-dependent cytotoxicity in HLRCC by targeting cysteine residues, including in TRMT1, and shows TRMT1 overexpression can rescue tRNA methylation inhibition.

Novel Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) substrates for time-resolved luminescence assays

The paper identifies novel BTK substrates and develops a pipeline to generate synthetic substrates for time-resolved luminescence assays.

Preclinical evaluation of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate based on a recombinant RBD fusion heterodimer of SARS-CoV-2

This paper evaluates a recombinant RBD fusion heterodimer vaccine in mice, showing 100% efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants and neutralizing antibodies.

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 (beta) variant shows enhanced infectivity in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice and expanded tropism to wildtype mice compared to B.1 variant

This study shows that the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 variant infects K18-hACE2 mice faster and wildtype mice, with milder symptoms than the B.1 variant.

Protection against reinfection with D614- or G614-SARS-CoV-2 isolates in hamsters

This study shows that hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2 are not fully protected against reinfection with both original and variant isolates, but experience reduced lung disease severity upon re-exposure.

Type I and III IFNs produced by the nasal epithelia and dimmed inflammation are key features of alpacas resolving MERS-CoV infection

This study identifies type I and III IFNs in nasal mucosa and anti-inflammatory responses as key to alpacas resolving MERS-CoV infection without severe symptoms.

Metronomic doses and drug schematic combination response tested within microfluidic models for the treatment of breast cancer cells (JIMT-1).

The paper tests metronomic chemotherapy and drug combinations in microfluidic models to study breast cancer cell responses and death mechanisms.

Extensive proteomic and transcriptomic changes quench the TCR/CD3 activation signal of latently HIV-1 infected T cells

This study identifies proteomic and transcriptomic changes in HIV-1 latently infected T cells that render them TCR/CD3 activation-inert, and shows that targeting specific signaling nodes can restore responsiveness and trigger HIV-1 reactivation.

Heterogeneous adaptation of cysteine reactivity to a covalent oncometabolite

The paper reports a chemoproteomic analysis of cysteine reactivity in HLRCC cells upon FH rescue, revealing transcriptional and posttranslational regulation of cysteine residues.

Single cell transfection of human induced pluripotent stem cells using a droplet-based microfluidic system.

The paper presents a droplet-based microfluidic system for transfecting human-induced pluripotent stem cells, showing high efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to other methods.

Holobiont Urbanism: sampling urban beehives reveals cities' metagenomes

This study uses urban beehives to sample city metagenomes, finding bee debris as the richest substrate, and discusses applications for epidemic surveillance.

An Oncometabolite Isomer Rapidly Induces A Pathophysiological Protein Modification

This study develops chemical agonists to induce S-succination, a posttranslational modification linked to oncometabolites, and demonstrates their cellular effects.

Polyunsaturated fatty acid analogues differentially affect cardiac Nav, Cav, and Kv channels through unique mechanisms

This study shows that PUFA analogues differentially modulate cardiac ion channels through distinct mechanisms, suggesting potential tailored therapies for specific LQTS mutations.

Discovery of small-molecule inhibitors targeting the ribosomal peptidyl transferase center (PTC) of M. tuberculosis

The paper identifies small-molecule inhibitors targeting the ribosomal peptidyl transferase center of M. tuberculosis using NMR and machine learning, showing improved potency over standard antibiotics.

High-throughput identification of FLT3 wild-type and mutant kinase substrate preferences and application to design of sensitive in vitro kinase assay substrates

The paper identifies FLT3 kinase substrates for wild-type and mutant variants and develops sensitive in vitro assay substrates for inhibitor screening.

Bacteria-to-human protein networks reveal origins of endogenous DNA damage

The paper identifies DNA-damaging proteins in E. coli and their human homologs, showing they promote endogenous DNA damage and are overrepresented in cancer drivers.