S. McDonald

Concerted epithelial and stromal changes during progression of Barrett's Esophagus to invasive adenocarcinoma exposed by multi-scale, multi-omics analysis

This study uses multi-omics analysis to show coordinated changes in epithelial, stromal, and immune compartments during Barrett's Esophagus progression to adenocarcinoma, revealing early appearance of cancer-associated fibroblasts and immunosuppressive microenvironment.

The Food Additive Xanthan Gum Drives Adaptation of the Human Gut Microbiota

This study shows that xanthan gum, a common food additive, promotes the adaptation of the human gut microbiota by enabling a novel degradation pathway in an uncultured Ruminococcaceae bacterium and facilitating cross-feeding by Bacteroides species.

Inactivation of the Hippo Tumor Suppressor Pathway Promotes Melanoma

This study shows that the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway is activated in growth-arrested melanocytes, preventing melanoma development, and its inactivation allows BRAF-driven melanoma formation.

Volatiles from Serratia marcescens, S. proteamaculans, and Bacillus subtilis Inhibit Growth of Rhizopus stolonifer and Other Fungi

This paper identifies volatile compounds from three bacteria that inhibit fungal growth and develops a pipeline to translate these profiles into candidate antifungal compounds.

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.

Negative selection may cause grossly altered but broadly stable karyotypes in metastatic colorectal cancer

This study analyzes longitudinal genomic data from colorectal cancer patients to show that negative selection stabilizes karyotypes during tumor progression and metastasis.

Quality control of HLA-DR molecules by the lysosomal aspartyl protease, cathepsin D

This study identifies cathepsin D as a protease responsible for degrading HLA-DR molecules that lack bound peptide, regulating their lysosomal disposal and lifespan.