M. Sleutel

The role of endospore appendages in spore-spore contacts in pathogenic bacilli

This study investigates the role of S-ENAs and L-ENAs in spore-spore contacts and their interaction with vegetative cells, revealing their importance in self-aggregation and environmental factors' impact.

A novel class of ultra-stable endospore appendages decorated with collagen-like tip fibrillae

The paper identifies a novel class of ultra-stable endospore appendages in Bacillus paranthracis, revealing their structure, genetic basis, and phylogenetic distribution.

The folding-limited nucleation of curli hints at an evolved safety mechanism for functional amyloid production

This study investigates the molecular mechanism of curli amyloid formation in Salmonella and Escherichia coli, revealing a folding-limited nucleation process that balances efficient polymerization with avoiding premature aggregation.

Structural analysis of the bacterial amyloid curli

The paper presents an atomic model of bacterial curli protofibrils using AlphaFold2 and cryo-EM, revealing structural diversity and explaining their robustness and inter-species promiscuity.

Nonclassical nucleation of protein mesocrystals via oriented attachment

The paper observes oriented attachment in protein crystallization, challenging previous classifications and showing non-classical nucleation mechanisms.