R. P. Fagan

Multiple evolutionary pathways lead to vancomycin resistance in Clostridioides difficile

This study shows that C. difficile can evolve vancomycin resistance through two pathways, but resistance comes with fitness costs and sporulation defects that may limit its clinical impact.

Molecular mechanism of bacteriophage tail contraction- structure of an S-layer-penetrating bacteriophage

This study reveals the atomic structures of a bacteriophage with a contractile tail that infects Clostridioides difficile, showing that tail contraction alone provides enough energy to penetrate the S-layer and cell wall without enzymatic activity.

An intact S-layer is advantageous to Clostridioides difficile within the host.

This paper shows that an intact S-layer in Clostridioides difficile enhances disease severity by analyzing revertants of an S-layer-null strain and their gene expression differences.

The Clostridioides difficile S-Layer Protein A (SlpA) serves as a general phage receptor

This paper demonstrates that SlpA is a common receptor for multiple C. difficile phages, enabling the rational design of phage cocktails.

Architecture and self-assembly of the Clostridium sporogenes/botulinum spore surface illustrate a general protective strategy across spore formers

The paper reveals the architecture and self-assembly of the exosporium in Clostridium sporogenes, showing a conserved protective strategy across spore-forming bacteria.

A cortex-specific PBP contributes to cephalosporin resistance in Clostridium difficile

The paper identifies and characterizes a cortex-specific penicillin binding protein in Clostridium difficile that contributes to cephalosporin resistance and is essential for cortex synthesis.

Spatial organization of Clostridium difficile S-layer biogenesis

The paper investigates the spatial organization of S-layer biogenesis in Clostridium difficile, finding that SlpA secretion is delocalized while S-layer formation occurs at sites of cell wall synthesis.