Joseph Westley

Maintenance of restriction-modification system diversity creates pan-immunity

The paper shows that diversity in restriction-modification systems is maintained through trade-offs between defense strength and horizontal transferability, and provides collective protection against phages.

Dual ATPase-activated DNA hemimethylation and cleavage by the MANTIS defence system

The paper defines the mechanism of the MANTIS defence system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showing how dual ATPases couple self-modification to non-self restriction through adenine hemimethylation and cleavage.

Escape from antimicrobial CRISPR-Cas9 in E. coli ST131 depends on the genetic context of the target gene.

This study investigates CRISPR-Cas9 antimicrobial activity against E. coli ST131 and identifies two escape mechanisms, showing that genetic context of the target gene influences escape frequency.

Eco-evolutionary feedbacks drive the co-occurrence of restriction-modification systems and antimicrobial resistance genes

The paper investigates eco-evolutionary feedbacks between restriction-modification systems and antimicrobial resistance gene acquisition using modeling and genome analysis.

Heterogeneous efflux pump expression underpins phenotypic resistance to antimicrobial peptides

This study shows that subpopulations of stationary phase bacteria resist antimicrobial peptides through enhanced efflux and other mechanisms, and suggests combining tachyplesin with sertraline to combat resistance.