Miriam Ravins

A small RNA guides a post-transcriptional regulatory protein to its target

The paper identifies a mechanism where a small RNA guides a protein regulator to target mRNAs, enabling programmable post-transcriptional control in bacteria.

Bacterial nanotubes extend from a tubeosome organelle to establish an intercellular bridge

This study visualizes bacterial nanotube formation in Bacillus subtilis, revealing a novel membranous organelle called the tubeosome that facilitates intercellular communication.

A family of endonucleases that block nanotube-mediated plasmid dissemination

The paper identifies YokF, a nuclease that blocks plasmid transfer via nanotubes in Bacillus subtilis, and shows its homologs in other bacteria restrict NPex.

Ectopic expression of the sensor CovS cytosolic domain confers phosphatase activity and full virulence to the M1T1 CovSY39H attenuated variant of group A Streptococcus

This study shows that ectopic expression of the CovS cytosolic domain restores phosphatase activity and virulence to an attenuated GAS variant, demonstrating the critical role of CovS phosphatase in virulence regulation.

Asparagine couples group A Streptococcal metabolism to virulence

This study shows that asparagine (Asn) availability regulates Streptococcus pyogenes virulence and metabolism by controlling intracellular ATP levels and CovR/S signaling.

A conjugative plasmid exploits flagella rotation as a cue to facilitate its transfer

The paper shows that the plasmid pLS20 uses flagella rotation to trigger conjugation in Gram-positive bacteria, enabling DNA transfer in liquid environments.