William C. Ratcliff

41% of Gram-negative bacteria encode a Type Six Secretion System

The paper quantifies T6SS prevalence in Gram-negative bacteria using genome analysis and finds it is present in 41% of well-sampled genera.

Obligate multicellularity circumvents population genetic barriers to collective-level adaptation

This study shows obligate multicellularity reduces population genetic barriers to collective adaptation in yeast by enabling rapid group size increases through whole genome duplication.

Cell division timing shapes the morphology and size of nascent multicellular organisms

The paper identifies cell division timing as a key factor influencing multicellular morphology and size in snowflake yeast, showing that asynchronous division leads to smaller clusters due to increased mechanical stress.

De-Darwinizing the proteome: the genome as the original germ line

The paper explores how the transition from RNA-based to protein-based life resolved evolutionary conflicts within protocells by establishing the genome as the heritable unit.

The fitness costs of reproductive specialization scale inversely with organismal size

The paper shows that the fitness costs of reproductive specialization decrease with organism size, using a population genetic framework and empirical data from algae.

The limits of information in precise regulation of early multicellular life cycles

This study models multicellular life cycles using intrinsic information sources and finds inherent trade-offs between flexibility and regularity in their regulation.

Real-time, High-throughput Super-resolution Microscopy via Panoramic Integration

This paper introduces SPI, a super-resolution microscopy technique that enables real-time, high-throughput imaging with minimal post-processing.

Partner fidelity and coevolution: Useful but not required for rapidly increased mutualistic benefits

The paper shows that partner fidelity enhances mutualistic benefits but is not required for their evolution in yeast.

Metabolically-driven flows enable exponential growth in macroscopic multicellular yeast

This study shows that metabolically-driven fluid flows in yeast clusters enable exponential growth by overcoming nutrient transport limitations, mimicking circulatory systems without genetic adaptations.

Whole-genome duplication in the Multicellularity Long Term Evolution Experiment

This study shows that diploid yeast under selection for larger multicellular size rapidly undergoes spontaneous whole-genome duplication, which persists and facilitates adaptation through increased genetic variation.

Multiple pathways to the evolution of positive assortment in aggregative multicellularity

This study shows that genetic assortment in yeast evolved indirectly through cell-level selection, not directly for collective-level benefits, revealing constraints on aggregative multicellularity.

Mosaic of Somatic Mutations in one of Earth's Largest Organism, Pando

The paper examines the genetic structure and somatic mutation dynamics in Pando, a large clonal aspen, using sequencing across multiple tissues and spatial scales.

Programmed cell death can increase the efficacy of microbial bet-hedging

This study shows that programmed cell death can enhance microbial bet-hedging by promoting phenotypic diversification through population turnover and spatial structure.