Ruth C. Massey

Copper as a central element critical to interkingdom interactions within a polymicrobial wound environment.

This study identifies copper homeostasis as a key factor in S. aureus competitiveness within polymicrobial wound infections, linking copA mutations to wound-based infections.

Human serum triglycerides promote Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance

This study shows human serum promotes Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance through Geh lipase activity and wall teichoic acid synthesis.

Metabolic reprogramming promotes Staphylococcus aureus serum resistance during bacteraemia.

This paper identifies a metabolic adaptation in Staphylococcus aureus that enhances serum resistance without affecting growth, revealing a novel survival strategy in bloodstream infections.

Phosphate sensing by PhoPR regulates the cytotoxicity of Staphylococcus aureus

This study identifies PhoPR as a phosphate-sensing two-component system that regulates cytotoxicity in S. aureus by modulating Agr activity through phosphorylation states of PhoP.

Expression of mecA reduces the daptomycin susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus

This study shows that mecA expression in Staphylococcus aureus reduces daptomycin susceptibility by affecting toxin production and lipid-mediated antibiotic inactivation.

The mutational landscape of Staphylococcus aureus during colonisation

The paper analyzes the mutational landscape of Staphylococcus aureus during colonization, identifying adaptive mutations in metabolic pathways and antibiotic targets.

PBP4 is required for serum-induced cell wall thickening and antibiotic tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus

This study identifies PBP4 as essential for serum-induced cell wall thickening and antibiotic tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus, showing that targeting PBP4 with cefoxitin can enhance daptomycin efficacy.

Genomic Exploration of Within-Host Microevolution Reveals a Distinctive Molecular Signature of Persistent Staphylococcus aureus Bacteraemia

The paper analyzes genomic evolution in persistent Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, identifying a molecular signature with low mutation frequency and high non-silent mutations.

Severe infections emerge from the microbiome by adaptive evolution

Severe S. aureus infections arise from the nasal microbiome through adaptive evolution, with specific mutations enriched in infecting bacteria compared to colonizing ones.

Evolution and global transmission of a multidrug-resistant, community-associated MRSA lineage from the Indian subcontinent

This study traces the origin and global spread of a multidrug-resistant MRSA lineage from the Indian subcontinent, showing its emergence through plasmid acquisition and intercontinental transmission.