N. L. Hiller

Pneumococcal Extracellular Vesicles Mediate Horizontal Gene Transfer via the Transformation Machinery

This paper shows pneumococcal extracellular vesicles carry DNA that can be transferred to competent cells via the transformation machinery, promoting horizontal gene transfer and potential antibiotic resistance spread.

Detection of Influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in air sampled from co-infected ferrets and analysis of their influence on pathogen stability

This study detects influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae in air samples from co-infected ferrets and assesses their impact on pathogen stability in expelled droplets.

Competence-associated peptide BriC alters fatty acid biosynthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae

This study shows BriC, a communication peptide in Streptococcus pneumoniae, regulates fatty acid biosynthesis by affecting FabT transcription and membrane lipid composition.

Coinfection of Streptococcus pneumoniae reduces airborne transmission of influenza virus

This study shows that coinfection with Streptococcus pneumoniae reduces airborne transmission of influenza virus by decreasing viral shedding in the upper respiratory tract of ferrets.

Quantitative mapping of mRNA 3' ends in Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveals a pervasive role for premature 3' end formation in response to azithromycin

This study uses 3pMap to analyze mRNA 3' ends in Pseudomonas aeruginosa under azithromycin treatment, revealing premature 3' end formation as a key response mechanism.

Pneumococcal attachment to epithelial cells is enhanced by the secreted peptide VP1 via its control of hyaluronic acid processing

This paper identifies VP1 as a secreted peptide that enhances pneumococcal attachment to epithelial cells by regulating hyaluronic acid processing through the HA locus.

A Molecular Link between Cell Wall Modification and Stringent Response in a Gram-positive Bacteria

This paper shows that cell wall modification enzymes in Streptococcus pneumoniae modulate the stringent response by controlling translation quality control and preventing premature entry into stationary phase under stress.

Identification of Microbiota-Induced Gene Expression Changes in the Drosophila melanogaster Head

This study identifies microbiota-dependent gene expression changes in Drosophila melanogaster heads using RNA-seq and nanoString nCounter, revealing genes involved in immune response, metabolism, and stress resistance.

Function of BriC Peptide in the Pneumococcal Competence and Virulence Portfolio

This study identifies BriC as a competence-induced gene in Streptococcus pneumoniae that promotes biofilm development and colonization, with its expression regulated by the ComE master regulator and showing genomic plasticity in some isolates.