P. J. Stansfeld

A feedback control mechanism governs the synthesis of lipid-linked precursors of the bacterial cell wall

This study identifies a feedback mechanism in bacterial cell wall synthesis where excess lipid II inhibits MraY to regulate lipid carrier distribution among competing pathways.

A one-track model for spatiotemporal coordination of Bacillus subtilis septal cell wall synthesis

This study uses live-cell imaging to show that PBP2B moves processively and asynchronously with FtsZ in B. subtilis, supporting a new model of septal cell wall synthesis.

Cyclic di-AMP traps proton-coupled K+ transporters of the KUP family in an inward-occluded conformation

This study shows how c-di-AMP binding inhibits KimA by trapping it in an inward-occluded conformation through interactions between transmembrane and cytosolic domains.

LptM promotes oxidative maturation of the lipopolysaccharide translocon by substrate binding mimicry.

This study identifies LptM as a conserved lipoprotein that facilitates oxidative maturation of the LPS translocon by mimicking LPS binding, enabling efficient disulfide bond formation in LptD.

Biophysical basis of phage liquid crystalline droplet-mediated antibiotic tolerance in pathogenic bacteria

This study investigates liquid crystalline droplets formed by inoviral phages in bacteria, showing they protect cells from antibiotics through biophysical properties rather than surface chemistry.

Characterisation of a TatA/TatB binding site on the TatC component of the Escherichia coli twin arginine translocase

This study investigates the role of a second TatA binding site on TatC in Escherichia coli by mutagenesis and shows that while TatA binding is reduced, TatC retains function.

High resolution reconstruction of a Jumbo bacteriophage infecting capsulated bacteria using hyperbranched tail fibers

This study determines the high-resolution structure of a jumbo bacteriophage infecting Klebsiella pneumoniae, revealing its complex tail fibers that enable infection of multiple capsular polysaccharide types.

Structural basis for membrane attack complex inhibition by CD59

This study reveals how CD59 inhibits MAC pore formation by binding C8 and deflecting C9, using cryo-EM structures and simulations.

Cardiolipin, and not monolysocardiolipin, preferentially binds to the interface of Complexes III and IV

This study shows that cardiolipin, not monolysocardiolipin, preferentially binds to the interface of mitochondrial supercomplexes containing Complexes III and IV, suggesting MLCL disrupts supercomplex stability in Barth syndrome.

LipIDens: Simulation assisted interpretation of lipid densities in cryo-EM structures of membrane proteins.

LipIDens uses MD simulations to interpret lipid-like densities in cryo-EM maps of membrane proteins, revealing protein-lipid interactions.

From Molecular Dynamics to Supramolecular Organization: The Role of PIM Lipids in the Originality of the Mycobacterial Plasma Membrane

This paper uses molecular dynamics simulations to study the role of PIM lipids in the structure and organization of the Mycobacterial plasma membrane and validates findings with drug testing.

PyLipID: A Python package for analysis of protein-lipid interactions from MD simulations

PyLipID is a Python package that analyzes protein-lipid interactions from molecular dynamics simulations, identifying binding sites and characterizing lipid interactions.

Relative Affinities of Protein-Cholesterol Interactions from Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations

This study develops a method to determine protein-lipid binding affinities from MD simulations and validates it against experimental and computational methods.

Deciphering ion transport and ATPase coupling in the intersubunit tunnel of KdpFABC

The paper investigates ion transport and ATPase coupling in KdpFABC using cryo-EM, biochemical assays, and MD simulations, revealing conserved mechanisms across P-type ATPases.

The dynamic interplay of PIP2 and ATP in the regulation of the KATP channel

This study shows that PIP2 and ATP interact allosterically at the KATP channel through shared residue K39, with PIP2 overriding ATP inhibition in the presence of both ligands.

CG2AT2: An Enhanced Fragment-based approach for Serial Multi-scale Molecular Dynamics simulations

The paper introduces CG2AT2, a fragment-based method to convert coarse-grained macromolecular complexes to atomistic resolution, validated on eleven diverse systems.

Identification and assessment of cardiolipin interactions with E. coli inner membrane proteins

The paper uses molecular dynamics simulations to analyze cardiolipin interactions with 42 E. coli inner membrane proteins, identifying over 700 binding sites and defining metrics for high-affinity cardiolipin binding.

Alternative architecture of the E. coli chemosensory array

The paper presents cryo-electron tomography images of E. coli chemosensory arrays showing a p2-symmetric architecture, differing from the previously described p6-symmetric structure, and proposes molecular models for both.

A bacterial inflammation sensor regulates c-di-GMP signaling, adhesion, and biofilm formation.

This paper identifies a bacterial sensor that detects HOCl, a host-derived oxidant, and links its activation to biofilm formation through a redox-sensitive zinc-cysteine switch.

Evaluating Inositol phospholipid interactions with Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels and characterising their role in Disease

This study uses molecular dynamics to evaluate phosphoinositide interactions with hKir channels and shows how mutations affect PIP2 binding affinity.

The unconventional cytoplasmic sensing mechanism for ethanol chemotaxis in Bacillus subtilis

This paper identifies an unconventional ethanol sensing mechanism in Bacillus subtilis where ethanol binds the cytoplasmic signaling domain of McpB and the myoglobin-like sensing domain of HemAT.

Structures of the stator complex that drives rotation of the bacterial flagellum

The paper presents structures of stator complexes from multiple bacterial species, revealing an asymmetric A5B2 subunit assembly and its role in coupling ion flow to generate mechanical work.

Complete structure of the core signalling unit of the E. coli chemosensory array in an optimised minicell strain

The paper presents a 3D map of the E. coli chemosensory core signalling unit using cryo-ET and subtomogram averaging, combined with molecular dynamics simulations to create an atomistic model.

A Heuristic Derived from Analysis of the Ion Channel Structural Proteome Permits the Rapid Identification of Hydrophobic Gates

The paper develops a heuristic model to predict hydrophobic gates in ion channels using radius and hydrophobicity data from molecular dynamics simulations and machine learning.

The structural basis of lipid scrambling and inactivation in the endoplasmic reticulum scramblase TMEM16K

This study identifies TMEM16K as an ER-resident calcium-regulated lipid scramblase and elucidates its structural basis for lipid scrambling and inactivation.