Kun Xia

Distinct Programs Drive Organ Development and Regeneration

The paper identifies Pou2f3 as a master regulator of a novel intermediate cell state critical for regeneration but not organ physiology in mammary glands, challenging the idea that regeneration recapitulates development.

Basal EFNA3 Facilitates Luminal-Driving Mammary Epithelial Migration and Cancer Metastasis by Promoting OXPHOS

The paper identifies EFNA3 as a factor promoting mammary epithelial collective migration and cancer metastasis by enhancing oxidative phosphorylation.

Mammary Epithelial Migration is EMT-Independent

This study shows mammary epithelial migration occurs without EMT, relying on preserved cell-cell adhesion and Snail1's role in directional movement.

Performance Comparison of Computational Prediction Methods for the Function and Pathogenicity of Non-coding Variants

The paper evaluates 24 computational methods for predicting non-coding variant function and pathogenicity across four benchmark datasets, finding varying performance across different variant types.

Customized de novo mutation detection for any variant calling pipeline: SynthDNM

SynthDNM is a classifier that adapts to new variant calling pipelines by using simulated training examples to accurately detect de novo mutations.

Inhibiting proBDNF to mature BDNF conversion leads to autism-like phenotypes in vivo

This study shows that inhibiting proBDNF to mBDNF conversion in mice leads to autism-like behaviors, suggesting proBDNF as a potential blood marker and therapeutic target for ASD.

Neolithic super-grandfather Y haplotypes, their related surnames, and autism spectrum disorder

The paper links Neolithic Y haplotypes to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by showing higher frequencies of low SES haplotypes in ASD fathers and a male-biased ASD ratio in related surnames.