R. M. Johnson

Mosquito immune cells enhance dengue and Zika virus dissemination in Aedes aegypti

This study shows mosquito immune cells help spread dengue and Zika viruses in Aedes aegypti, supporting a 'trojan horse' model of virus dissemination.

Cytochrome oxidase requirements in Bordetella reveal insights into evolution towards life in the mammalian respiratory tract

This study investigates the role of cytochrome oxidases in Bordetella species, finding that three specific oxidases are sufficient for respiratory infection in mice.

Bordetella Filamentous hemagglutinin (FhaB) and Adenylyl cyclase toxin (ACT) interactions on the bacterial surface are consistent with FhaB-mediated delivery of ACT to phagocytic cells

The paper shows FhaB binds ACT on the bacterial surface, enabling its delivery to phagocytic cells via CR3 receptor interaction.

13C metabolite tracing reveals glutamine and acetate as critical in vivo fuels for CD8+ T cells

This study uses 13C-labeled metabolites to show CD8+ T cells switch from glutamine to acetate metabolism during infection.

Sindbis virus is suppressed in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti by ATG-6/Beclin-1 mediated activation of autophagy

This study shows that activating autophagy in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes reduces Sindbis virus production using a recombinant virus expressing an autophagy activator.

Measuring factors affecting honey bee attraction to soybeans using bioacoustics monitoring

This study uses bioacoustics monitoring to detect honey bee activity in soybean fields, finding that bee presence varies with blooming status and soybean variety.

Phosphorylation chemistry of the Bordetella PlrSR TCS and its contribution to bacterial persistence in the lower respiratory tract

This study characterizes the phosphorylation chemistry of the Bordetella PlrSR two-component system and shows its role in bacterial persistence in the mouse lung.

Antibacterial effects of propolis and brood comb extracts on the causative agent of European Foulbrood (Melissococcus plutonius) in honey bees (Apis mellifera)

This study evaluates the antibacterial effects of propolis and brood comb extracts against Melissococcus plutonius and finds propolis is most effective at inhibiting gram-positive bacteria.

Sexual transmission of Anopheles gambiae densovirus (AgDNV) leads to disseminated infection in mated females

This study shows that Anopheles gambiae densovirus (AgDNV) is transmitted from infected males to females during mating, leading to disseminated infection in females but not vertical transmission to offspring.

Phage-like particle vaccines are highly immunogenic and protect against pathogenic coronavirus infection and disease

This paper develops a phage-like particle vaccine platform that is immunogenic and protects against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV infection and disease.

An adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 RBD nanoparticle elicits neutralizing antibodies and fully protective immunity in aged mice

This study identifies an adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 RBD nanoparticle that induces neutralizing antibodies and full protection in aged mice.

DegP initiates regulated processing of filamentous hemagglutinin in Bordetella bronchiseptica

This study identifies DegP as the protease initiating FhaB processing in Bordetella bronchiseptica, showing it removes a C-terminal inhibitory segment to enable CtpA-mediated degradation.

Alum:CpG adjuvant enables SARS-CoV-2 RBD-induced protection in aged mice and synergistic activation of human elder type 1 immunity

This study evaluates AH:CpG adjuvant's ability to enhance RBD vaccine efficacy in aged mice and human elder cells, showing strong neutralizing antibody responses and cytokine production.

A non-canonical role for glutamate decarboxylase 1 in cancer cell amino acid homeostasis, independent of the GABA shunt.

This study identifies a non-canonical role for GAD1 in cancer cell amino acid homeostasis, independent of the GABA shunt, by regulating amino acid transporter expression.

Evolving cryo-EM structural approaches for GPCR drug discovery

This study validates stable GPCR:Gs complexes without Nb35 stabilizers and evaluates 200kV vs 300kV cryo-EM imaging for drug discovery.

Pharmacokietics of Transbuccal Swab-Administered Naloxone-HCl Using a Novel Plant-Based Resin Formulation in Dogs

This study demonstrates that transbuccal swab-administered naloxone-HCl using a plant-based resin formulation achieves comparable blood levels to intramuscular injection in dogs, with rapid onset of action.

PYCR1-dependent proline synthesis in cancer-associated fibroblasts is required for the deposition of pro-tumorigenic extracellular matrix

This study identifies PYCR1-dependent proline synthesis in cancer-associated fibroblasts as critical for collagen production and tumor progression, suggesting PYCR1 as a therapeutic target to inhibit pro-tumorigenic extracellular matrix deposition.

Honey bee pollen foraging ecology across an urbanization gradient

This study uses metabarcoding to analyze honey bee pollen foraging across an urbanization gradient, finding higher taxonomic diversity and temporal turnover in urban areas compared to agricultural ones.

Structure-based identification and characterisation of novel inhibitors of KNa1.1 potassium channels, a stratified target for KCNT1-related epilepsy.

This study identifies novel inhibitors of KNa1.1 potassium channels using cryo-EM structures and computational methods, showing improved potency over quinidine for KCNT1-related epilepsy treatment.