P. Pontarotti

Pre-Columbian treponemes clarify worldwide spread of treponematosis

The paper identifies ancient Treponema pallidum strains in pre-Columbian remains, showing pre-Columbian Americas as the source of worldwide treponematosis spread.

Insights into RAG evolution from the identification of "missing link" family A RAGL transposons

The paper identifies RAGL-A transposons in invertebrates, showing they share features with both RAG and RAGL-B, suggesting they are a critical intermediate in RAG evolution.

Role of SARS-CoV-2 mutations in the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic

The paper analyzes SARS-CoV-2 mutations across 61,397 genomes to identify 'hyperfertile' mutations that spread widely, finding most did not predict new epidemic forms, with some in non-coding regions and stop codons.

Parallel evolution of amphioxus and vertebrate small-scale gene duplications

This study compares small-scale gene duplication patterns between amphioxus and vertebrates, finding similar duplication histories and functional constraints despite amphioxus' slower evolution.

Population genomics of Pocillopora corals: insights from RAD-sequencing

This study uses RAD-sequencing to investigate species delimitation and genetic structure in Pocillopora corals, finding significant differentiation between Oman and French Polynesia samples.

Dual RNase and β-lactamase activity of a single enzyme encoded in most Archaea

The paper identifies dual RNase and β-lactamase activity in an archaeal enzyme, challenging previous annotations and highlighting functional specialization over time.

A metallo-beta-lactamase with both beta-lactamase and ribonuclease activity is linked with traduction in giant viruses

The paper identifies a metallo-beta-lactamase with dual beta-lactamase and ribonuclease activity in a giant virus and shows its RNase activity is not inhibited by common inhibitors.

Gene expression plasticity and frontloading promote thermotolerance in Pocillopora corals

This study compares thermal stress responses in Pocillopora corals from Oman and New Caledonia, finding differences in transcriptomic plasticity and gene expression patterns.

Separate the wheat from the chaff: genomic scan for local adaptation in the red coral Corallium rubrum

The paper uses RAD-Sequencing to study genetic structure and local adaptation in red coral, identifying candidate loci under selection but noting methodological challenges.

Detecting Molecular Basis Of Phenotypic Convergence

The paper develops a method to detect molecular basis of phenotypic convergence by improving site-level measures and applying them to echolocation convergence in dolphins and bats.

The RAG transposon is active through the deuterostome evolution and domesticated in jawed vertebrates.

The paper shows the RAG transposon was active throughout deuterostome evolution and was domesticated in jawed vertebrates to form the V(D)J recombinase.