S. Arif

The last days of Aporia crataegi (L.) in Britain: evaluating genomic erosion in an extirpated butterfly

This study compares genomic erosion in an extinct British butterfly and a stable species, finding similar heterozygosity loss despite different population sizes and suggesting inbreeding and deleterious mutations as decline indicators.

Heterochrony in orthodenticle expression is associated with ommatidial size variation between Drosophila species

This study identifies differential timing of orthodenticle (otd) expression as a mechanism underlying ommatidial size variation between Drosophila species.

Oncofusion-driven de novo enhancer assembly promotes malignancy in Ewing sarcoma via aberrant expression of the stereociliary protein LOXHD1

The paper identifies a 32-gene signature specific to Ewing sarcoma and shows that LOXHD1, a stereociliary protein, is a key driver of malignancy through its regulation by EWSR1-FLI1.

Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells for Detection and Desensitisation of Auto-reactive T cells Associated with Type 1 Diabetes

This paper develops artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) to detect and desensitize autoreactive T cells in type 1 diabetes, showing effectiveness in human and mouse models.

The dirty north: Evidence for multiple colonisations and Wolbachia infections shaping the genetic structure of the widespread butterfly Polyommatus icarus in the British Isles

This study investigates the genetic structure of Polyommatus icarus butterflies in the British Isles, finding evidence for multiple colonisations and Wolbachia infections shaping their mtDNA and genomic diversity.

Unravelling the genetic basis for the rapid diversification of male genital structures between Drosophila species

The paper identifies genes involved in the development and evolution of male genital structures in Drosophila species using introgression lines and RNA-seq.

Single-cell transcriptomic profile reveals macrophage heterogeneity in medulloblastoma and their treatment-dependent recruitment

The paper uses single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing to study macrophage heterogeneity in medulloblastoma and shows differential recruitment with targeted vs. radiation therapy.

Characterization of the genetic architecture underlying eye size variation within Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans

This study identifies genetic factors underlying eye size variation in Drosophila species, showing that eye size and inter-ocular distance are genetically decoupled and influenced by different genomic regions.

Three quantitative trait loci explain more than 60% of phenotypic variation for chill coma recovery time in Drosophila ananassae

This study identifies three QTLs explaining 64% of phenotypic variation in chill coma recovery time in Drosophila ananassae, with evidence of epistasis and candidate genes linked to cold tolerance.

Gene regulatory network architecture in different developmental contexts influences the genetic basis of morphological evolution

The paper investigates why different genes underlie the evolution of similar traits in Drosophila by comparing gene regulatory networks in larval and leg trichome development.