Michael Springer

Identification and deletion of the extracellular polysaccharide slime pathway across the genus Xanthobacter

The paper identifies a gene mutation responsible for slime-free phenotype in Xanthobacter strains and shows its deletion abolishes slime production across the genus.

Engineered bacterial siderophore production accelerates rock weathering for carbon removal

This paper engineers bacteria to produce siderophores, enhancing olivine dissolution for CO2 removal, achieving 0.50 g CO2 per day removal in pilot reactors.

Glucose repression of HXK1 is glucose flux-dependent via non-canonical regulation of Mig1

This study shows that glucose repression of HXK1 depends on glucose flux rather than concentration, mediated by the Snf1/AMPK pathway at low glucose levels and an unknown mechanism at high levels.

Ligify 2.0: A web server for predicted small molecule biosensors

Ligify 2.0 predicts small molecule interactions with transcription factors and provides a web interface for visualization and biosensor design.

Expansion and revision of the genus Xanthobacter and proposal of Roseixanthobacter gen. nov.

This paper expands and revises the genus Xanthobacter by describing 18 species and proposing a new genus Roseixanthobacter with 5 species, based on genome sequencing and phylogenomic analysis.

groovDB in 2025: A community-editable database of small molecule biosensors

groovDB is updated to be community-editable with enhanced features, doubling its TF entries and making source code open-access.

LanTERN: a fluorescent sensor that specifically binds lanthanides

The paper introduces LanTERN, a fluorescent sensor engineered to bind lanthanides with high specificity and fluorescence response.

Genomewide identification of subtelomeric silencing factors in budding yeast

The paper introduces a quantitative method to identify subtelomeric silencing factors in budding yeast through genome-wide screening using a dual reporter system.

Computational analysis of GAL pathway pinpoints mechanisms underlying natural variation

The paper identifies key parameters in the GAL pathway that explain natural variation in yeast's response to galactose, using computational modeling and in silico perturbation.

Variation in the modality of a yeast signaling pathway is mediated by a single regulator

The paper shows that variation in the modality of a yeast signaling pathway is controlled by the expression and function of the GAL3 sensor.

Decoupling transcription factor expression and activity enables dimmer-switch gene regulation

The paper identifies a dimmer-switch gene regulation mechanism in yeast by decoupling transcription factor expression and activity.

Computational study on ratio-sensing in yeast galactose utilization pathway

This study uses computational models to show that ratio-sensing in yeast galactose utilization arises from competition between carbon sources for transporters and transcription factors, and reveals design principles for synthetic biology applications.

An enhanced isothermal amplification assay for viral detection

The paper develops a rapid, sensitive, and scalable isothermal amplification method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 from patient samples.

Assigning Function To Natural Allelic Variation Via Dynamic Modeling Of Gene Network Induction

The paper uses dynamic modeling of gene networks to interpret natural DNA variants by personalizing model parameters based on genotype, revealing how variants affect molecular regulation in yeast.

Polymorphisms In The Yeast Galactose Sensor Underlie A Natural Continuum Of Nutrient-Decision Phenotypes

The paper identifies GAL3 polymorphisms in yeast that explain variation in galactose utilization decisions and diauxic lag across strains.

Small effect-size mutations cumulatively affect yeast quantitative traits

The paper identifies small effect-size genes influencing yeast quantitative traits and shows they contribute significantly to trait variation.

Natural Variation in Preparation for Nutrient Depletion Reveals a Cost-Benefit Tradeoff

The paper shows that yeast strains prepare for nutrient depletion by inducing metabolism genes before glucose exhaustion, revealing a cost-benefit tradeoff in growth strategies.