M. Rodrigues

CUR(E)ating a New Approach to Study Fungal Effectors and Enhance Undergraduate Education through Authentic Research

This paper describes a CURE course focused on fungal effectors that enhances undergraduate education through authentic research and real-world problem-solving.

Coregulation of extracellular vesicle production and fluconazole susceptibility in Cryptococcus neoformans

This study identifies regulators of extracellular vesicle production in Cryptococcus neoformans and links EV production to fluconazole resistance.

Susceptible bacteria survive antibiotic treatment in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract without evolving resistance

The paper shows that gut bacteria can survive antibiotic treatment without developing resistance by acquiring mutations that enhance their ability to persist and invade intestinal cells.

Optical Genome Mapping for detecting Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) in human breast and ovarian cancers

This study uses Optical Genome Mapping to detect HRD in breast and ovarian cancers by analyzing structural variants, finding isolated translocations as a reliable biomarker.

ULTRAFAST STRUCTURAL CHANGES DIRECT THE FIRST MOLECULAR EVENTS OF VISION

This study uses ultrafast crystallography to reveal how photoactivated retinal initiates structural changes in rhodopsin, leading to GPCR activation and vision.

Drivers and implications of the extreme 2022 wildfire season in Southwest Europe

The paper analyzes the extreme 2022 wildfire season in southwest Europe, finding record-breaking fuel dryness and early fire onset linked to climate change.

Extracellular vesicle formation in Cryptococcus deuterogattii impacts fungal virulence and requires the NOP16 gene

This study shows that NOP16 is required for extracellular vesicle formation in Cryptococcus deuterogattii, and EV composition affects fungal virulence.

Wireless closed-loop smart bandage for chronic wound management and accelerated tissue regeneration

This paper develops a wireless smart bandage that monitors wound conditions and delivers electrical stimulation to accelerate tissue regeneration in chronic wounds.

Bagaza virus in wild birds, Portugal, 2021

The paper reports the first detection of Bagaza virus in wild birds in Portugal in 2021, showing high similarity to previously reported strains.

Fungal extracellular vesicles are involved in intraspecies intracellular communication

This study shows fungal extracellular vesicles mediate intraspecies communication by regulating gene expression and phenotypic changes in Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Screening of chemical libraries for new antifungal drugs against Aspergillus fumigatus reveals the potential mechanism of action of miltefosine

This study screens 1,127 compounds against Aspergillus fumigatus, identifies miltefosine as fungicidal, and reveals RmiA as a transcription factor regulating sphingolipid biosynthesis involved in miltefosine resistance.

Small molecule analysis of extracellular vesicles produced by Cryptococcus gattii: identification of a tripeptide controlling cryptococcal infection in an invertebrate host model

This study identifies a tripeptide in Cryptococcus gattii extracellular vesicles that enhances survival in an invertebrate infection model.

Comparative molecular and immunoregulatory analysis of extracellular vesicles from Candida albicans and Candida auris.

This study compares extracellular vesicles from Candida auris and Candida albicans, finding distinct molecular profiles and immune-modulating properties that may contribute to C. auris pathogenesis.

The vitamin A ester retinyl propionate has a unique metabolic profile and higher retinoid-related bioactivity over retinol and retinyl palmitate in human skin models.

This study compares the metabolic profiles and bioactivity of retinol, retinyl palmitate, and retinyl propionate in human skin models, finding RP has higher bioactivity and unique metabolism.

Enhanced retinoid response by a combination of the vitamin A ester retinyl propionate with niacinamide and a flavonoid containing Ceratonia siliqua extract in retinoid responsive in vitro models.

The paper evaluates if combining retinyl propionate with niacinamide and a Ceratonia siliqua extract enhances retinoid activity in vitro, finding increased gene expression and reporter activation.

Fenbendazole controls in vitro growth, virulence potential and animal infection in the Cryptococcusmodel

This study shows fenbendazole inhibits Cryptococcus growth in vitro and in mice, reduces virulence, and synergizes with amphotericin B.

Conjugative delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 for the selective depletion of antibiotic-resistant enterococci

This paper develops CRISPR-Cas antimicrobials delivered via conjugative plasmids to selectively remove antibiotic resistance genes from Enterococcus faecalis in vitro and in mice.

A novel protocol for the isolation of fungal extracellular vesicles reveals the participation of a putative scramblase in polysaccharide export and capsule construction in Cryptococcus gattii.

This paper introduces a novel protocol for isolating fungal extracellular vesicles and identifies a scramblase involved in polysaccharide export and capsule formation in Cryptococcus gattii.

Real time portable genome sequencing for global food security

This paper demonstrates the use of portable DNA sequencing to identify plant viruses in sub-Saharan Africa, enabling timely crop disease management.

An attenuated CRISPR-Cas system in Enterococcus faecalis permits DNA acquisition

This paper shows that Enterococcus faecalis can transiently tolerate CRISPR-Cas targeting of its own DNA, enabling DNA acquisition and genome editing.