S. Vargas

An Artificial Intelligence Framework for Optimal Drug Design

This paper introduces an AI framework for optimal drug design that enhances brain exposure by integrating molecular design, QSAR, and PBPK modeling, showing significant improvements over existing drugs and random molecules.

Molecular and mineral responses of corals grown under artificial Calcite Sea conditions

This study examines how corals respond to artificial Calcite Sea conditions by analyzing mineralogical and gene expression changes in two aragonite-depositing species.

Hybridization and cryptic speciation in the Tropical Eastern Pacific octocoral genus Pacifigorgia

This study uses genome-wide SNP markers to show hybridization and cryptic speciation in the octocoral genus Pacifigorgia, suggesting underestimation of its diversity by traditional methods.

Genome evolution in bacteria isolated from million-year-old subseafloor sediments

This study examines genome evolution in Thalassospira bacteria from million-year-old subseafloor sediments, finding reduced recombination, increased pseudogenes, and genetic drift as dominant evolutionary forces.

Transcriptional and immunological analysis of the putative outer membrane protein and vaccine candidate TprL of Treponema pallidum

This paper investigates the transcriptional regulation of the TprL gene in Treponema pallidum, showing that phase variation through homopolymeric G sequences affects its expression and immune response.

Cross-reactive serum and memory B cell responses to spike protein in SARS-CoV-2 and endemic coronavirus infection

The paper examines cross-reactive serum and memory B cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 and endemic coronaviruses, finding weak serum cross-reactivity but stronger memory B cell cross-reactivity.

Transcriptional response of the calcification and stress response toolkits in an octocoral under heat and pH stress

Short-term exposure to high-water temperature causes a shift in the microbiome of the common aquarium sponge Lendenfeldia chondrodes

This study examines how short-term exposure to high water temperatures affects the microbiome of the sponge Lendenfeldia chondrodes, finding shifts in bacterial phyla abundance and richness.

Comparative proteomics of octocoral and scleractinian skeletomes and the evolution of coral calcification

This study compares proteomic profiles of coral and octocoral skeletomes to investigate the molecular mechanisms of calcium carbonate polymorph formation in corals.

New non-bilaterian transcriptomes provide novel insights into the evolution of coral skeletomes

The paper analyzes transcriptomes of soft corals and existing data to map the distribution of skeletome components, revealing evolutionary patterns and homogeneity within calcifying cnidarians.

Seasonal changes in diet and toxicity in the Climbing Mantella frog (Mantella laevigata)

This study examines how seasonal environmental changes affect the diet and toxin profiles of Climbing Mantella frogs, finding seasonal differences in diet composition and toxin abundance.

A 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analysis protocol for the Illumina MiniSeq platform

The paper develops a 16S rRNA gene sequencing protocol for the Illumina MiniSeq platform, showing it produces high-quality V4 reads comparable to MiSeq at lower cost.

Divergence times in demosponges (Porifera): first insights from new mitogenomes and the inclusion of fossils in a birth-death clock model

This study estimates divergence times in demosponges using mitogenomes and a fossilized birth-death model, supporting a Neoproterozoic origin and revised timing for key evolutionary events.

Transcriptomic Resilience of a Coral Holobiont to Low pH

This study examines gene expression changes in the coral holobiont Montipora digitata and its symbionts under short and long-term low pH exposure, finding resilience in gene expression.