Troy W. Whitfield

A novel human blood-brain barrier model reveals pericytes as critical regulators of viral neuroinvasion

This study develops a human BBB model using NCC-PCs to show they protect against viral neuroinvasion by maintaining BMEC barrier integrity.

Healthy adipocytes provide a protective environment by limiting viral infection through cell-cell communication

The paper shows healthy adipocytes protect neighboring cells from viral infection through STING-dependent interferon-alpha secretion, and metabolic dysfunction reduces this antiviral activity.

Transcriptome-wide RNA accessibility mapping reveals structured RNA elements and pervasive conformational rearrangements under stress

This study introduces DMS-TRAM-seq to map RNA structure across the transcriptome, identifying structured elements and showing structural changes under stress.

Independent effects of testosterone, estradiol, and sex chromosomes on gene expression in immune cells of trans- and cisgender individuals

Co-transcriptional splicing facilitates transcription of gigantic genes

The paper shows that co-transcriptional splicing is essential for the transcription of gigantic genes in Drosophila, preventing transcript entanglement and ensuring proper gene expression.

Drosophila Males Use 5'-to-3' Phased Biogenesis to Make Stellate-silencing piRNAs that Lack Homology to Maternally Deposited piRNA Guides

The paper shows that Drosophila males produce Su(Ste) piRNAs through 5'-to-3' phased biogenesis triggered by maternally deposited piRNAs, and this process is bypassed when mothers are XXY.

Fragile X syndrome patient-derived neurons developing in the mouse brain show FMR1 -dependent phenotypes

This study transplants FXS patient-derived neurons into mice to study their development and finds FMR1-dependent changes in synaptic activity and morphology.