Jeffrey S. McLean

A domesticated prophage enzyme links bacterial metabolism, episymbiosis and phage fitness

The paper identifies a prophage-encoded enzyme that links bacterial metabolism, episymbiosis, and phage fitness by remodeling host structures and promoting symbiotic interactions.

Paired oral clinical specimens reveal the underlying ecology supporting the emergence of inflammophilic microbiome communities

The paper investigates how host inflammation reshapes oral microbiome communities by analyzing paired clinical specimens and identifying metabolic shifts associated with inflammatory states.

Identifying essential genes in Schaalia odontolytica using a highly-saturated transposon library

This study identifies essential genes in Schaalia odontolytica using high-throughput transposon insertion sequencing.

Episymbiotic Saccharibacteria suppresses epithelial immunoactivation through Type IV pili and TLR2 dependent endocytosis

This study shows Saccharibacteria suppress epithelial immune activation by clustering TLR2 via Type IV pili and endocytosis, reducing cytokine signaling and enabling long-term persistence in the oral microbiome.

Saccharibacteria deploy two distinct Type IV pili, driving episymbiosis, host competition, and twitching motility

This study identifies two distinct Type IV pili in Saccharibacteria, showing their roles in host binding, competition, and motility.