Brandon L. Garcia

Borrelia burgdorferi infection-enhanced Ixodes scapularis serpins S12c5 and S13c5, target MASP1/3 to inhibit MBL-pathway complement activation and promote spirochete survival

This study identifies two tick serpins, S12c5 and S13c5, that inhibit complement activation and enhance Borrelia burgdorferi survival by targeting MASP1/3.

ATML1-GIR1-TPL/TPR transcriptional repression module controls glucosinolates and giant cells in Arabidopsis thaliana sepals

The paper identifies a transcriptional repression module involving ATML1, GIR1, and TPL/TPR that regulates glucosinolate biosynthesis and giant cell formation in Arabidopsis thaliana sepals.

The dual activity of BBK32: Implications for simultaneous inhibition of borrelial-specific antibody-dependent complement activation and fibronectin binding

This paper demonstrates that BBK32, a surface protein of Borreliella burgdorferi, simultaneously inhibits complement activation by binding C1r and binds fibronectin, aiding in immune evasion and dissemination.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 as a novel regulator of glucose utilization by adipocytes

This study identifies MMP2 as a regulator of glucose absorption in adipocytes by cleaving GLUT4, contributing to hyperglycemia in obesity.

Heterologous Surface Display Reveals Conserved Complement Inhibition and Functional Diversification of Borrelia burgdorferi Elp Proteins

The paper uses E. coli surface display to study Borrelia burgdorferi Elp proteins, revealing their conserved complement inhibition and novel interaction with perlecan.

Novel roles for pirin proteins and a 2-ketoglutarate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase ortholog in Bacteroides fragilis central metabolism and comparison of metabolic mutants susceptibility to antimicrobials metronidazole and amixicile.

This study identifies pirin proteins and their interaction with metabolic enzymes in B. fragilis, showing their role in antimicrobial susceptibility to metronidazole and amixicile.