S. J. Pidot

Mycobacterium ulcerans challenge strain selection for a Buruli ulcer controlled human infection model

This paper identifies M. ulcerans JKD8049 as a suitable human challenge strain for Buruli ulcer research due to its stability, antibiotic susceptibility, and ability to produce mycolactone.

A marine sponge-associated mycobacterium closely related to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

This paper describes the discovery of a marine sponge-associated mycobacterium closely related to M. tuberculosis, which shares virulence factors but lacks virulence in mice.

Tandem sulfofucolytic-sulfolactate sulfolyase pathway for catabolism of the rare sulfosugar sulfofucose

This paper identifies a novel bacterial pathway for sulfofucose catabolism in Paracoccus wurundjeri, involving a sulfofucolytic Entner-Doudoroff pathway and subsequent biomineralization to sulfite.

The two-component regulator WalKR provides an essential link between cell wall homeostasis with DNA replication in Staphylococcus aureus

This study identifies the WalKR two-component system in Staphylococcus aureus as a polyfunctional regulator linking cell wall homeostasis with DNA replication and other essential processes.

Identification of levoglucosan degradation pathways in bacteria and sequence similarity network analysis

The paper identifies two bacteria capable of degrading levoglucosan and analyzes their genome and proteome to understand the degradation pathway and related enzymes.

Global analysis of biosynthetic gene clusters reveals conserved and unique natural products in entomopathogenic nematode-symbiotic bacteria

The paper analyzes biosynthetic gene clusters in entomopathogenic nematode-symbiotic bacteria to identify conserved and unique natural products and their functional roles.

Genome sequences of Arthrobacter spp. that use a modified sulfoglycolytic Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway

The paper reports genome sequences of two gram-positive Arthrobacter spp. that use a modified sulfoglycolytic Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway to metabolize sulfoquinovose, producing sulfolactate as the end-product.

Validation of a Single-step, Single-tube Reverse Transcription-Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA

The paper validates a single-step, single-tube RT-LAMP assay for rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection with high specificity and sensitivity.

Small RNA directs symbiosis, virulence, and natural products biosynthesis in entomopathogenic bacteria

This study identifies ArcZ, an Hfq-dependent sRNA, as essential for small molecule production in entomopathogenic bacteria, revealing its broad regulatory role beyond secondary metabolites.

Global analysis of adenylate-forming enzymes reveals β-lactone biosynthesis pathway in pathogenic Nocardia

The paper uses machine learning to predict adenylate-forming enzyme function and substrate specificity, revealing a β-lactone biosynthesis pathway in Nocardia.

High antibody titres induced by protein subunit vaccines against Buruli ulcer using Mycobacterium ulcerans antigens Hsp18 and MUL_3720

This study evaluates the vaccine potential of M. ulcerans antigens Hsp18 and MUL_3720 in mice, finding high antibody titres but no significant protection against Buruli ulcer.

Vaccine-specific immune responses against Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in a low-dose murine challenge model

This study evaluates a prime-boost vaccine against Mycobacterium ulcerans in mice, finding that both the experimental ER vaccine and BCG provide significant protection through distinct immune profiles.

Functional genomics reveals extensive diversity in Staphylococcus epidermidis restriction modification systems compared to Staphylococcus aureus.

The paper identifies extensive diversity in type I restriction modification systems in Staphylococcus epidermidis compared to Staphylococcus aureus, enabling efficient genetic manipulation of clinically relevant strains.

Zinc-binding to the cytoplasmic PAS domain regulates the essential WalK histidine kinase of Staphylococcus aureus

The paper identifies zinc binding to the WalK histidine kinase's PAS domain as a negative regulator of the WalKR two-component system in Staphylococcus aureus.

Increasing tolerance of hospital Enterococcus faecium to hand-wash alcohols

The paper shows hospital Enterococcus faecium isolates from 2010 onward are 10-fold more tolerant to alcohol-based disinfectants than older isolates, leading to increased gastrointestinal colonization in mice.