S. N. Smith

Altered motility in response to iron-limitation is regulated by lpdA in uropathogenic E. coli CFT073

This study shows that lpdA regulates iron-mediated motility in UPEC, which impacts virulence under iron-limited conditions.

Klebsiella pneumoniae causes bacteremia using factors that mediate tissue-specific fitness and resistance to oxidative stress

This study identifies 58 K. pneumoniae genes critical for bloodstream fitness during bacteremia, revealing tissue-specific mechanisms and resistance to oxidative stress.

Additive energetic contributions of multiple peptide positions determine the relative promiscuity of viral and human sequences for PDZ domain targets

The Klebsiella pneumoniae ter operon enhances stress tolerance

This study identifies the ter operon in Klebsiella pneumoniae as a stress tolerance factor, enhancing fitness in the gut and bladder by protecting against environmental stressors.

Phenotypic Assessment of Clinical Escherichia coli Isolates Predicts Uropathogenic Potential

This study uses phenotypic assays to predict uropathogenic potential of Escherichia coli isolates from UTI cases, showing that certain phenotypes correlate with infection severity.

The ADP-heptose biosynthesis enzyme GmhB is a conserved Gram-negative bacteremia fitness factor

This study identifies GmhB as a conserved Gram-negative bacteremia fitness factor that enhances bloodstream survival through LPS-mediated mechanisms, but is dispensable in the lung.

Ferric Citrate Uptake is a Virulence Factor in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

This study identifies the ferric citrate uptake system as a virulence factor in UPEC, showing its role in iron acquisition during UTI and its importance for bacterial fitness.

How do King Cobras move across a major highway? Unintentional wildlife crossing structures may facilitate movement.

This study investigates how King Cobras cross a major highway in Thailand and finds that unintentional crossing structures may help them safely traverse roads.

A subcellular biochemical model for T6SS dynamics reveals winning competitive strategies

The paper builds a subcellular biochemical model of T6SS dynamics to identify winning competitive strategies between T6SS-armed and unarmed bacterial populations.

Adaptive anti-tumor immunity is orchestrated by a population of CCL5-producing tissue-resident NK cells

The paper shows that CCL5-producing tissue-resident NK cells are critical for IL-12-mediated anti-tumor immunity and that CCL5 delivery can overcome resistance in tumors with low trNK cell infiltration.

Restricted constrictors: Space use and habitat selection of native Burmese pythons in Northeast Thailand

This study examines space use and habitat selection of Burmese pythons in Northeast Thailand using radio telemetry and movement models, finding they prefer aquatic environments and have low movement variance.

The Gene Expression Profile of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Women with Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections Is Recapitulated in the Mouse Model

This study compares gene expression of UPEC in human UTIs and a mouse model, finding strong correlation and validating the mouse model's utility for UTI research.

Opposing functions of the plant TOPLESS gene family during SNC1-mediated autoimmunity

This paper investigates the role of TOPLESS family members in regulating SNC1-mediated autoimmunity in Arabidopsis, showing additive genetic interactions and negative regulation of SNC1-dependent phenotypes.

A systematic analysis of hypermucoviscosity and capsule reveals distinct and overlapping genes that impact Klebsiella pneumoniae fitness

This study identifies genes affecting capsule and hypermucoviscosity in Klebsiella pneumoniae, showing their integration with central metabolism for bacterial fitness.

Optimization of an Experimental Vaccine to Prevent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection

This study optimizes an intranasal vaccine against UPEC UTI using dmLT adjuvant and Hma/IutA antigens, significantly reducing bladder colonization.