U. Jenal

A deterministic, c-di-GMP-dependent genetic program ensures the generation of phenotypically similar, symmetric daughter cells during cytokinesis

Transwell-based microphysiological platform for high-resolution imaging of airway tissues

The paper introduces a microphysiological platform for culturing transwell-based lung tissues, enabling high-resolution live-imaging of airway infections and tissue responses.

Toxin-mediated depletion of nicotinamide dinucleotides drives persister formation in a human pathogen

This study shows that the RES domain TA system in P. aeruginosa promotes persister formation by depleting NAD and NADP under nutrient stress, enhancing bacterial survival during antibiotic treatment.

Goblet cell invasion promotes breaching of respiratory epithelia by an opportunistic human pathogen

This study shows Pseudomonas aeruginosa breaches lung epithelia by invading goblet cells, using T6SS for invasion and T3SS for cell death, leading to barrier rupture and infection spread.

A Novel Biosensor Reveals Dynamic Changes of C-di-GMP in Differentiating Cells with Ultra-High Temporal Resolution

This paper introduces a genetically-encoded c-di-GMP biosensor, cdGreen2, capable of tracking c-di-GMP dynamics in live cells with ultra-high temporal resolution.

High-resolution crystal structure of a metabolic switch protein in a complex with monomeric c-di-GMP reveals a potential mechanism for c-di-GMP dimerization

The paper reports a high-resolution crystal structure of a SmbA mutant complex with monomeric c-di-GMP, revealing loop 7's role in c-di-GMP dimerization and SmbA function.

Extracellular appendages govern spatial dynamics and growth of Caulobacter crescentus on a prevalent biopolymer

This study shows that extracellular appendages in Caulobacter crescentus influence spatial dynamics and growth on xylan by affecting cell density and competition.

Phage Paride hijacks bacterial stress responses to kill dormant, antibiotic-tolerant cells

This paper identifies a phage, Paride, that kills dormant, antibiotic-tolerant bacterial cells by hijacking stress responses that also confer antibiotic tolerance.

Photoaffinity capture compounds to profile the Magic Spot Nucleotide interactomes

The paper identifies Magic Spot Nucleotide interactomes in E. coli and S. typhimurium using photoaffinity capture compounds, revealing new targets like ApaH.

Digital control of c-di-GMP in E. coli balances population-wide developmental transitions and phage sensitivity

This study shows E. coli uses a digital switch to convert c-di-GMP dynamics into binary states, enabling population-level developmental transitions and phage resistance.

A new sugar for an old phage: A c-di-GMP dependent polysaccharide pathway sensitizes E. coli for bacteriophage infection

This paper identifies a c-di-GMP-dependent exopolysaccharide pathway in E. coli that serves as a receptor for bacteriophage N4 and related phages.

Evolution of Antibiotic Tolerance Shapes Resistance Development in Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections

This study shows that antibiotic tolerance evolves before resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, promoting resistance development in chronic infections.

Regulation of bacterial cell cycle progression by redundant phosphatases

The paper identifies CckN as a second phosphatase in Caulobacter crescentus that redundantly regulates CtrA activity with PleC during the G1 phase of the cell cycle.

Hybrid histidine kinase activation by cyclic di-GMP- mediated domain liberation

This study reveals how c-di-GMP regulates ShkA, a hybrid histidine kinase in Caulobacter crescentus, by inducing domain dissociation and allosteric activation.

Precise transcription timing by a second-messenger drives a bacterial G1/S cell cycle transition

This study identifies c-di-GMP as a second messenger that regulates the G1/S transition in Caulobacter crescentus by modulating ShkA and TacA activity.

Tad pili play a dynamic role in Caulobacter crescentus surface colonization

This study shows Tad pili in Caulobacter crescentus dynamically assist in surface colonization by reorienting cells and facilitating flagellar-mediated anchoring.

A single-domain response regulator functions as integrating hub to coordinate general stress response and development in alpha-proteobacteria

This paper identifies MrrA as a central phosphorylation hub in Caulobacter crescentus that coordinates general stress response with development by acting as a phosphotransfer relay between multiple histidine kinases and response regulators.