R. Heald

Identification of a motif in TPX2 that regulates spindle architecture in Xenopus egg extracts

The paper identifies a conserved NLS motif in TPX2 that regulates astral microtubule formation and spindle pole morphology in Xenopus egg extracts.

Mitotic chromosomes scale to nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio and cell size in Xenopus

This study shows mitotic chromosomes scale with cell size and nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio in Xenopus, distinct from other subcellular structures, through mechanisms involving condensin I and importin pathways.

Ploidy modulates cell size and metabolic rate in Xenopus embryos

This study shows that ploidy affects metabolism by altering cell size and plasma membrane energetics in Xenopus embryos.

Small-molecule Polθ inhibitors provide safe and effective tumor radiosensitization in preclinical models

This study shows that Polθ inhibitors ART558 and ART899 radiosensitize tumor cells without affecting normal fibroblasts, suggesting potential for safe cancer radiotherapy.

Molecular conflicts disrupting centromere assembly contribute to Xenopus hybrid inviability

The paper identifies sequence-independent centromere incompatibilities in Xenopus hybrids that disrupt epigenetic pathways required for centromere maintenance, leading to hybrid inviability.

Reconstitution of muscle cell microtubule organization in vitro

The paper reconstitutes muscle cell microtubule organization in vitro using isolated nuclei and Xenopus laevis cytoplasmic extracts, revealing distinct patterns and regulatory mechanisms.

Spindle assembly in egg extracts of the Marsabit clawed frog, Xenopus borealis

The paper compares spindle assembly in egg extracts of Xenopus borealis with Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis, finding size scaling differences and shared scaling phenomena.

Regulatory remodeling in the allo-tetraploid frog Xenopus laevis

This study investigates the genomic and epigenomic consequences of whole genome duplication in Xenopus laevis, finding that subgenome degradation and regulatory element innovation are linked to repeats and non-allelic homologous recombination.