Richard S. Mann

A critical affinity window for IgSF proteins DIP-alpha and Dpr10 is required for proper motor neuron arborization

The paper shows that specific affinity ranges for IgSF proteins DIP- and dpr10 are critical for proper motor neuron arborization in flies.

FETCH enables fluorescent labeling of membrane proteins in vivo with spatiotemporal control in Drosophila

FETCH enables precise fluorescent labeling of membrane proteins in Drosophila with spatiotemporal control through covalent bond formation.

Predicting the DNA binding specificity of transcription factor mutants usingfamily-level biophysically interpretable machine learning

The paper develops a method to predict how mutations in transcription factors affect their DNA binding specificity using biophysically interpretable machine learning.

Decoding neuronal wiring by joint inference of cell identity and synaptic connectivity

The paper develops ConnectionMiner to integrate scRNAseq and connectome data, revealing gene expression patterns linked to synaptic connectivity in Drosophila leg motor circuits.

Cis inhibition of co-expressed DIPs and Dprs shapes neural development

The paper shows that DIPs and Dprs interact in cis within the same cells, regulating trans interactions and influencing neural development in Drosophila.

Fine-grained descending control of steering in walking Drosophila

This study identifies descending neurons in Drosophila that control steering by modulating limb gestures during different phases of locomotion.

Transcription factor paralogs orchestrate alternative gene regulatory networks by context-dependent cooperation with multiple cofactors

The paper shows Hox paralogs use different cofactors in distinct domains to activate specific gene regulatory networks in Drosophila legs.

SpyChIP identifies cell type-specific transcription factor occupancy from complex tissues

SpyChIP identifies cell type-specific transcription factor binding in complex tissues without dissociation, revealing Ubx-DNA interactions in Drosophila haltere disc cells.

Probing molecular specificity with deep sequencing and biophysically interpretable machine learning

The paper introduces ProBound, a machine learning framework that quantifies biophysical parameters of protein-ligand interactions using NGS data, and couples it with Kd-seq to determine absolute affinities.

A promoter-proximal silencer modifies the activity of a shared enhancer to mediate divergent expression of nub and pdm2 paralogs in wing development

The post-transcriptional regulation of TFs in immature motoneurons shapes the axon-muscle connectome

The paper identifies post-transcriptional regulation of TFs in immature motoneurons that shapes their axon-muscle connectome through combinatorial TF codes.

Ubx orchestrates tissue identity through regional and bidirectional changes to chromatin accessibility

The paper shows Ubx, a Hox protein, alters chromatin accessibility in both directions, affecting gene regulation and tissue identity in Drosophila.

Homothorax Controls a Binary Rhodopsin Switch in Drosophila Ocelli

The paper identifies Homothorax as a regulator controlling a binary rhodopsin switch in Drosophila ocelli, promoting Rh2 and repressing Rh1 expression.

Scarless engineering of the Drosophila genome near any site-specific integration site

This paper describes a scarless genome editing method for Drosophila using site-specific integrases and homing nucleases, enabling efficient modification near landing sites.

A Systematic Nomenclature for the Drosophila Ventral Nervous System

The paper provides a systematic nomenclature for the Drosophila ventral nervous system, extending an existing framework to include thoracic and abdominal neuromeres.

Serotonergic modulation of walking in Drosophila

This study shows that serotonin modulates walking speed in Drosophila in various contexts and in response to environmental changes through distinct serotonergic receptors.

A size principle for leg motor control in Drosophila

The paper investigates whether a size principle governs motor neuron activity in Drosophila, finding that motor neurons controlling leg flexion follow a size-based hierarchy in function and recruitment order.

Low Affinity Binding Sites in an Activating CRM Mediate Negative Autoregulation of the Drosophila Hox Gene Ultrabithorax

The paper identifies a negative autoregulatory loop mediated by low-affinity Ubx-Exd binding sites in the Drosophila Hox gene Ultrabithorax, maintaining differential expression levels in distinct compartments.

Context-dependent gene regulation by transcription factor complexes

The paper investigates how DNA sequence influences the formation of transcription factor complexes and shows that non-canonical binding sites arise from direct interactions with functionally bound sites.

Stereotyped Terminal Axon Branching of Leg Motor Neurons Mediated by IgSF Proteins DIP-α and Dpr10

The paper shows that DIP-α and Dpr10 IgSF proteins mediate stereotyped terminal axon branching of leg motor neurons in Drosophila through interactions between axon filopodia and muscles.

Improved Aedes aegypti mosquito reference genome assembly enables biological discovery and vector control

The paper presents an improved Aedes aegypti genome assembly, AaegL5, which enhances biological understanding and vector control efforts by resolving key genomic features and identifying new targets for intervention.

cis-regulatory architecture of a short-range EGFR organizing center in the Drosophila melanogaster leg.

The paper identifies cis-regulatory elements controlling EGFR ligand expression in Drosophila leg development and shows their role in specifying distal fates.

Differing strategies used by motor neurons and glia to achieve robust development of an adult neuropil in Drosophila

The paper shows that motor neurons and glia from shared lineages in Drosophila use different birth order strategies to achieve a stereotyped adult neuropil structure.