M. S. Gelfand

Genome rearrangements drive evolution of ANK genes in Wolbachia

This study identifies genome rearrangements driven by transposons and their role in the evolution of ANK genes in arthropod-infecting Wolbachia.

Mutational signatures in wild type Escherichia coli strains reveal dominance of DNA polymerase errors

The paper analyzes mutational signatures in E. coli strains to show DNA polymerase errors, not DNA repair disruptions, drive mutation accumulation in both natural and lab settings.

Non-triplet genetic code in Euplotes ciliates is a result of neutral evolution

The paper investigates the evolution of frameshifting in Euplotes ciliates, finding that frameshift gains exceed losses by 10-fold and that this asymmetry is due to mutation rates, not selection.

Evolution towards small colony variants of pandemic multidrug resistant ST131 Escherichia coli isolates from a 10-year bone infection

The paper characterizes the evolution of multidrug-resistant ST131 E. coli isolates in a chronic bone infection, identifying genomic changes linked to small colony variants and persistence.

Chromosome-encoded IpaH ubiquitin ligases indicate non-human pathogenic Escherichia

The paper compares ipaH gene family repertoires in Shigella and enteroinvasive Escherichia from human and non-human hosts, finding gene variation and suggesting potential zoonotic transmission.

APOBEC mutagenesis is low in most types of non-B DNA structures, unlike other types of cancer mutagenesis

The paper shows APOBEC mutagenesis is not enriched in most non-B DNA structures, unlike other cancer mutagenesis, and is lower in G-quadruplexes and Z-DNA regions.

Analysis of gene expression and mutation data points on contribution of transcription to the mutagenesis by APOBEC enzymes

This study analyzes gene expression and whole genome sequencing data to assess the role of transcription in APOBEC-induced mutagenesis compared to replication, finding similar impacts from both processes in transcribed regions.

Adaptive evolution at mRNA editing sites in soft-bodied cephalopods

The paper shows that mRNA editing sites in cephalopods are shaped by adaptive evolution through substitutions that mimic the edited nucleotides, indicating a role for RNA editing in molecular adaptation.

Simplification of ribosomes in bacteria with tiny genomes

The paper analyzes ribosomal protein composition in small bacterial genomes and identifies patterns of loss and conservation.