Matthew Butnaru

Intersecting experimental evolution and CRISPR screens to identify novel toxin resistance loci

The paper identifies genes involved in octanoic acid resistance by combining experimental evolution and CRISPR screens in Drosophila species.

Genome-wide CRISPR knockout cell screening platform for the disease vector tick species Ixodes scapularis

The paper develops a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening platform for Ixodes scapularis ticks and identifies genes associated with cellular fitness and drug resistance.

A family of lethal exotoxins defined by cell entry via the Attractin receptor

The paper identifies Attractin as the receptor for Nigritoxin, a Vibrio toxin, and shows that related toxins use this receptor but have distinct effector domains.

Higher resolution pooled genome-wide CRISPR knockout screening in Drosophila cells using integration and anti-CRISPR (IntAC)

The paper introduces IntAC, a CRISPR screening method for Drosophila cells that improves accuracy by suppressing early Cas9 activity, leading to a more comprehensive list of fitness genes.

A genome-wide CRISPR screen in Anopheles mosquito cells identifies essential genes and required components of clodronate liposome function

The paper uses a genome-wide CRISPR screen in Anopheles mosquito cells to identify essential genes and factors involved in clodronate liposome function.

Genetic manipulation of an Ixodes scapularis cell line

This paper demonstrates genetic modification of a tick cell line using CRISPR-Cas9 and ectopic expression, showing increased infection by Anaplasma phagocytophilum after disrupting the IMD pathway.

A screen for gene regulators encoded by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus uncovers a novel role for the ORF42 protein in regulating the production of cellular and viral proteins

This study identifies ORF42 as a KSHV gene regulator that enhances protein production and is essential for viral replication.