T. R. Blower

Nucleotidyltransferase toxin MenT targets and extends the aminoacyl acceptor ends of serine tRNAs in vivo to control Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth

This study identifies MenT3 as a tRNA nucleotidyltransferase that modifies serine tRNAs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, affecting bacterial growth and revealing its role in infection.

Structure and rational engineering of the PglX methyltransferase and specificity factor for BREX phage defence

The paper characterizes the BREX system in Salmonella, determines the structure of PglX, and shows how rational engineering expands phage targeting and host motif methylation.

Multi-conflict islands are a widespread trend within Serratia spp

The paper identifies three defence islands in Serratia spp. with mixed cargo of anti-phage systems, virulence factors, and anti-bacterial modules, revealing a widespread trend of co-accumulation.

Using energy to go downhill - a genoprotective role for ATPase activity in DNA topoisomerase II

This study shows that ATPase activity in type II topoisomerases prevents excessive DNA damage by regulating strand passage and cleavage.

Shield co-opts an RmuC domain to mediate phage defence across Pseudomonas species.

This paper identifies and characterizes a novel anti-phage system called Shield in Pseudomonas species, showing it can mediate bacterial immunity against phages through a membrane-bound protein with an RmuC domain.

A widespread family of WYL-domain transcriptional regulators co-localises with diverse phage defence systems and islands

The paper identifies BrxR, a WYL-domain transcriptional regulator that represses phage defence systems and is widespread among bacteria, often co-localized with defence islands.

Isolation and characterisation of bacteriophages with activity against invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella causing bloodstream infection in Malawi

This study isolates and characterizes bacteriophages active against invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella causing bloodstream infections in Malawi, identifying three phylogenetic clusters with varying host ranges.