T. Maekawa

A simplified disease resistance assay using YFP-expressing Potato Virus X in N. benthamiana reveals a cell death-independent immune function of RBA1

This paper introduces a simplified assay using PVX-YFP to assess RBA1-mediated disease resistance in N. benthamiana, showing it can detect resistance independent of cell death.

Defense-related callose synthase PMR4 promotes root hair callose deposition and adaptation to phosphate deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana

This study identifies PMR4 callose synthase as essential for root hair callose deposition under phosphate deficiency, improving Pi acquisition and plant growth.

A dominant-negative avirulence effector of the barley powdery mildew fungus provides mechanistic insight to barley MLA immune receptor activation

The paper shows that a modified powdery mildew effector, AVRA13-V2, escapes recognition by the barley MLA13 receptor and contributes to resistance breakdown.

Application of Passive Head Motion to Generate Defined Accelerations at the Heads of Rodents

This paper develops a passive head motion system to simulate mechanical accelerations from treadmill running in rodents and shows it activates 5-HT2A signaling in the prefrontal cortex.

Antihypertensive effect of brain-targeted mechanical intervention with passive head motion

Passive head motion reduces blood pressure in hypertensive rats and humans by decreasing AT1R expression in RVLM astrocytes through interstitial fluid shear stress.

Plant mixed lineage kinase domain-like proteins limit biotrophic pathogen growth

The paper identifies a plant MLKL protein family structurally similar to vertebrate MLKL, which provides immunity against pathogens without inducing cell death.

AI on animals: AI-assisted animal-borne logger never misses the moments that biologists want

This paper introduces AI-assisted biologgers that use intelligent sensor control to focus data collection on specific target behaviors, improving resource efficiency during long deployments.