T. A. Williams

ATP synthase evolution on a cross-braced dated tree of life

This study reconstructs the evolutionary history of ATP synthase using a cross-braced dated tree of life, showing early divergence of F- and A/V-type lineages and timing of eukaryogenesis.

Genome of the glacier alga Ancylonema and its insights into the evolution of streptophyte life on ice and land

This study sequences the genome of the glacier alga Ancylonema nordenskioldii to explore its adaptations to icy environments and its evolutionary relationship to land plants.

An evolutionary timescale for Bacteria calibrated using the Great Oxidation Event

This paper uses machine learning and phylogenetic reconciliation to estimate the evolutionary timeline of Bacteria, linking transitions to aerobic lifestyles to the Great Oxidation Event.

The power and limitations of species tree-aware phylogenetics

This paper reviews species tree-aware phylogenetic methods, evaluates their reliability, and discusses their applications and limitations in inferring gene and species trees.

Salactin, a dynamically unstable actin homolog in Haloarchaea

This study identifies and characterizes Salactin, an actin homolog in Haloarchaea, showing it forms dynamically unstable filaments and is involved in chromosomal segregation under low-ploidy conditions.

Genomic determinants of soil depth niche partitioning in Gagatemarchaeaceae, a novel family of deeply-rooted Thaumarchaeota

This study analyzes 15 new genomes of Gagatemarchaeaceae from acidic soils to understand their genomic and metabolic adaptations to different soil depths.

On the origin and evolution of microbial mercury methylation

This study uses phylogenetic analysis to trace the evolution of the mercury methylating gene hgcAB and hypothesize its role in antimicrobial production on early Earth.

The new archaeal order Lutiacidiplasmatales reveals convergent evolution in Thermoplasmatota

This study identifies a new archaeal order, Lutiacidiplasmatales, and shows that key metabolisms evolved convergently in Thermoplasmatota lineages.

Divergent evolutionary trajectories of bryophytes and tracheophytes from a complex common ancestor of land plants

This study investigates the evolutionary divergence between bryophytes and tracheophytes, finding they split from a common ancestor during the Cambrian and underwent distinct genomic changes.

Mechanistic basis for SNX27-Retromer coupling to ESCPE-1 in promoting endosomal cargo recycling.

This study identifies the molecular mechanism by which SNX27-Retromer interacts with ESCPE-1 to facilitate endosomal cargo recycling, revealing a conserved surface interaction and evolutionary pathway.

The epoxyeicosatrienoic pathway is intact in endothelial and smooth muscle cells exposed to aldosterone excess

This study investigates the effect of aldosterone excess on the epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) pathway in endothelial and smooth muscle cells, finding no significant changes in gene expression or EET release.

Molecular mechanism for kinesin-1 direct membrane recognition

This paper identifies a conserved amphipathic helix in kinesin-1 light chains that mediates direct membrane binding, challenging the previous understanding of lysosome positioning.

An estimate of the deepest branches of the tree of life from ancient vertically-evolving genes

The paper estimates the deepest branches of the tree of life by analyzing marker genes and shows that current methods underestimate the Archaea-Bacteria branch length due to substitutional saturation and poor model fit.

Relative time constraints improve molecular dating

This study introduces a method to improve molecular dating by combining fossil calibrations with relative age constraints, showing significant improvements in estimating node ages using simulations and empirical data.

A molecular timescale for the origin of red algal-derived plastids

The paper establishes a timeframe for the origin of red algal-derived plastids using phylogenomic data and molecular clock analyses, showing that serial endosymbiosis hypotheses are chronologically possible.

Bacterial Vipp1 and PspA are members of the ancient ESCRT-III membrane-remodelling superfamily

The paper shows Vipp1 and PspA are evolutionarily related to ESCRT-III and use similar mechanisms for membrane remodeling in bacteria.

A rooted phylogeny resolves early bacterial evolution

The paper infers a rooted bacterial phylogeny using gene duplication, transfer, and loss events, revealing a basal split between Terrabacteria and Gracilicutes and rejecting a root between CPR and other Bacteria.

Gene duplication drives genome expansion in Thaumarchaeota

This study provides genomes for three remaining families of Thaumarchaeota and shows that gene duplication, loss, and lateral gene transfer drive genomic divergence and evolution in the phylum.

Undinarchaeota illuminate the evolution of DPANN archaea

The paper reconstructs genomes of Undinarchaeota, a new DPANN archaeal lineage, and analyzes their phylogenetic placement and potential gene exchange with hosts.

Independent evolution of polymerization in the Actin ATPase clan regulates hexokinase activity

Yeast glucokinase activity is limited by its polymerization, which is critical for cell viability during glucose refeeding.

Mitochondrial targeting of glycolysis in a major lineage of eukaryotes

The paper identifies mitochondrial targeting signals for glycolytic enzymes in stramenopiles, revealing a novel metabolic pathway in these eukaryotes and suggesting new strategies for combating pathogens like Phytophthora infestans.

Gene transfers, like fossils, can date the Tree of Life

The paper uses lateral gene transfer patterns to date the Tree of Life, showing they are as informative as fossils for microbial lineages.