R. C. Massey

Lipoteichoic acid biosynthesis by Staphylococcus aureus is controlled by the MspA protein through competitive interference.

This study shows that MspA regulates lipoteichoic acid levels in S. aureus by interfering with LtaA-LtaS interactions, affecting cell size and pathogenicity.

Extensive re-modelling of the cell wall during the development of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia

This study identifies TcaA as a key regulator of cell wall remodeling in Staphylococcus aureus during bacteraemia, enhancing virulence by altering wall teichoic acids and peptidoglycan crosslinking.

A high-throughput cytotoxicity screening platform reveals agr-independent mutations in bacteraemia-associated Staphylococcus aureus that promote intracellular persistence

The paper develops a high-throughput platform to identify S. aureus mutations that enhance intracellular persistence and reduce cytotoxicity, revealing agr-independent pathoadaptive mutations.

Wall teichoic acids facilitate the release of toxins from the surface of Staphylococcus aureus.

This study identifies wall teichoic acids (WTA) as essential for the release of cytolytic toxins from Staphylococcus aureus by altering the electrostatic charge of the cell envelope.

Self-sensitisation of Staphylococcus aureus to the antimicrobial factors found in human blood.

This study identifies genetic factors in Staphylococcus aureus that influence serum survival, revealing how bacterial responses to blood factors affect their transition from commensal to invasive states.

Significant Variability exists in the Toxicity of Global Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Lineages.

The paper assesses toxicity variability among global MRSA lineages and identifies Agr mutations linked to reduced toxicity, highlighting the role of undefined genes in toxin regulation.

The MpsB protein contributes to both the toxicity and immune evasion capacity of Staphylococcus aureus.

This study identifies mpsB as a gene contributing to Staphylococcus aureus toxicity and immune evasion, linking it to disease severity and mortality.

A Functional Menadione Biosynthesis Pathway is Required for Capsule Production by Staphylococcus aureus.

This study identifies menD as a regulator of capsule production in S. aureus through GWAS and functional validation, showing its role in gentamicin resistance without major growth defects.

Targeted control of toxin production by a mobile genetic element in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

This study identifies a mobile genetic element that regulates pneumolysin production in Streptococcus pneumoniae, enhancing bacterial colonization in a mouse model.

A small membrane protein critical to both the offensive and defensive capabilities of Staphylococcus aureus.

This study identifies and characterizes MasA, a small membrane protein in S. aureus that disrupts toxin production and immune resistance when inactivated, impairing infection in multiple models.