Daphne Boodwa-Ko

Two closely related β-1,2-xylosyltransferases differentially impact cryptococcal glycan synthesis

This paper identifies and characterizes two β-1,2-xylosyltransferases in Cryptococcus neoformans, showing they differentially impact glycan synthesis and capsule formation.

The biased adenosine-rich content of the HIV-1 genome serves as a molecular signature that facilitates efficient packaging

This study shows that the adenosine-rich content of the HIV-1 genome is critical for efficient packaging, as demonstrated by Gag-SRSF5 chimera experiments.

Germline Targeted Baboon Apolipoprotein L-1 Protects Mice Against African Trypanosomes

This study generates trypanosome-resistant murine models expressing primate APOL1 proteins to investigate their role in immunity, finding that baboon APOL1 provides partial protection but with limited expression, while a chimeric APOL1 variant shows protection with a fitness cost.