X. Niu

Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound suppresses pain by modulating pain processing brain circuits

This paper demonstrates that low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound can suppress pain by modulating pain processing brain circuits in mouse models.

Mining the biosynthetic landscape of lactic acid bacteria unearths a new family of RiPPs assembled by a novel type of ThiF-like adenylyltransferases

The paper identifies a new family of RiPPs in lactic acid bacteria biosynthetic gene clusters, revealing a novel adenylyltransferase mechanism for macrocyclic imide formation.

Massively parallel interrogation of human functional variants modulating cancer immunosurveillance

The paper identifies functional mutations affecting PD-L1 and HLA-I expression using a large-scale CRISPR screen, revealing clinically relevant variants that influence immunotherapy response.

Evolving antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 antigenic shift from XBB to JN.1

This study analyzes the humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 XBB and JN.1 lineages, showing JN.1 elicits superior neutralization and highlights the need for JN.1-based vaccine boosters.

Viral evolution prediction identifies broadly neutralizing antibodies against existing and prospective SARS-CoV-2 variants

This paper predicts SARS-CoV-2 RBD evolution using deep mutational scanning to identify broadly neutralizing antibodies effective against existing and prospective variants.

Antigenicity assessment of SARS-CoV-2 saltation variant BA.2.87.1

This study assesses the antigenic properties and immune evasion of the SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.2.87.1, finding it less resistant to neutralizing antibodies than JN.1 but with compensatory deletions in the NTD.

FoxO factors preserve airway epithelial homeostasis by coordinating adaptive stress responses

The paper shows FoxO factors in Drosophila, mouse, and human airway epithelial cells respond to stressors by nuclear translocation, with FoxO-dependent stress pathways altered in asthma across species.

Repeated Omicron exposures override ancestral SARS-CoV-2 immune imprinting

This study shows repeated Omicron exposures reduce immune imprinting from wildtype vaccines, leading to higher neutralizing antibodies against XBB variants.

Fast evolution of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 to JN.1 under heavy immune pressure

The paper shows JN.1 outcompetes BA.2.86 and other variants by evading antibodies more effectively, despite reduced ACE2 binding.

Breast Cancer Macrophage Heterogeneity and Self-renewal are Determined by Spatial Localization

This study identifies spatial localization as a key determinant of macrophage heterogeneity and self-renewal in breast cancer, with implications for therapeutic strategies.

Antibodies utilizing VL6-57 light chains target a convergent cryptic epitope on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein driving the genesis of Omicron variants

The paper identifies public antibodies using VL6-57 light chains that target a conserved epitope on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, showing how Omicron variants evolved to escape these antibodies.

Antigenicity and infectivity characterization of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86

This study characterizes the antigenic properties and infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant, finding it evades immune responses but has reduced infectivity compared to previous variants.

Convergent evolution of SARS-CoV-2 XBB lineages on receptor-binding domain 455-456 synergistically enhances antibody evasion and ACE2 binding

This study shows that convergent evolution of SARS-CoV-2 XBB lineages at RBD positions 455-456 synergistically enhances antibody evasion and ACE2 binding through epistatic interactions.

Imprinted SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity induces convergent Omicron RBD evolution

The paper shows that convergent evolution of Omicron variants evades antibodies from BA.5 infections while maintaining ACE2 binding, driven by immune imprinting.

Rational identification of potent and broad sarbecovirus-neutralizing antibody cocktails from SARS convalescents

The paper identifies a potent and broad sarbecovirus-neutralizing antibody cocktail, SA55+SA58, from SARS convalescents to combat Omicron variants and other fast-evolving viruses.

Characterizations of enhanced infectivity and antibody evasion of Omicron BA.2.75

This study characterizes the enhanced infectivity and antibody evasion properties of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.2.75 compared to BA.5 and other variants.

BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 escape antibodies elicited by Omicron infection

This study investigates antibody evasion by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 against plasma from vaccination and BA.1 infection, showing increased neutralization escape.

Omicron BA.2 specifically evades broad sarbecovirus neutralizing antibodies

This study shows that BA.2 causes stronger antibody evasion than BA.1, particularly in SARS convalescents, and identifies key mutations responsible for this escape.

Novel MBLs inhibitors screened from FDA-approved drug library restore the susceptibility of carbapenems to NDM-1-harbouring bacteria

The paper screens FDA-approved drugs to find inhibitors of NDM-1, restoring carbapenem efficacy against resistant bacteria.

Omicron escapes the majority of existing SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies

This study identifies how Omicron evades neutralizing antibodies by analyzing mutations and their effects on different epitope groups, showing over 85% of tested antibodies are escaped.

Dominant species determine ecosystem stability across scales in Inner Mongolian grassland

The paper examines how dominant species influence ecosystem stability across different spatial scales in Inner Mongolian grassland, finding that stability is linked to dominant species dynamics and precipitation patterns.

Genome-wide CRISPR activation screen identifies novel receptors for SARS-CoV-2 entry

This study identifies novel SARS-CoV-2 receptors through a CRISPR activation screen, revealing LDLRAD3, TMEM30A, and CLEC4G as functional receptors independent of ACE2.

Amelioration of hemophilia B through CRISPR/Cas9 induced homology-independent targeted integration

This study uses CRISPR/Cas9 to induce homology-independent targeted integration in a rat hemophilia B model, achieving therapeutic correction with 3.66% knock-in efficiency and normalization of clotting time.

An allosteric ligand stabilizes distinct conformations in the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

This study uses NMR to show that the PAM LY2119620 changes the structure and dynamics of M2R in both extracellular and G-protein coupling domains, stabilizing distinct conformations not seen with orthosteric agonists.

Circular RNA profiling reveals abundant and diverse circRNAs of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV origin

This study identifies abundant and diverse circRNAs from SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV, revealing a novel type of circRNA distinct from DNA-encoded circRNAs.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the extreme mechanical anisotropy of the flaviviral exoribonuclease-resistant RNAs (xrRNAs)

The paper investigates the mechanical anisotropy of ZIKV xrRNA1 using single-molecule nanopore sensing and molecular dynamics simulations, revealing its dependence on Mg2+ and tertiary interactions.

Structural Perturbations of Exon Skipping Edits within the Dystrophin D20:24 Region

This study identifies exon edits in dystrophin that maintain structural stability similar to wildtype, and correlates structural perturbations with protein domain interactions.

Structural basis for the inhibition of the papain-like protease of SARS-CoV-2 by small molecules

The paper identifies GRL0617 as a non-covalent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro with an IC50 of 2.1 μM, supported by co-crystal and NMR data showing its mechanism of action.

Maintaining structural and functional homeostasis of the Drosophila respiratory epithelia requires stress-modulated JAK/STAT activity

This study shows that balanced JAK/STAT signaling is essential for maintaining structural and functional homeostasis in Drosophila respiratory epithelia, while chronic overactivation leads to pathological changes resembling human lung diseases.

Map3k2-Regulated Intestinal Stromal Cells (MRISC) Define a Distinct Sub-cryptic Stem Cell Niche for Damage Induced Wnt Agonist R-spondin1 Production

The paper identifies MRISC cells as a novel intestinal stem cell niche that produces R-spondin1 via Map3k2 signaling to promote intestinal regeneration after damage.