Keizo Nagasaki

Ecological Role of the Heterotrophic Protist Aurantiochytrium (Labyrinthulomycetes) as a Key Consumer of Viral-Induced Dissolved Organic Matter Following the Lysis of the Red Tide-forming Microalga Heterosigma akashiwo

This study shows that Aurantiochytrium, a heterotrophic protist, thrives on viral-induced dissolved organic matter from virus-infected Heterosigma akashiwo, highlighting its role in carbon cycling after algal blooms collapse.

Rapid diversification of a natural Heterosigma akashiwo virus population during a host bloom

The paper tracks genetic structure and transcription of Heterosigma akashiwo virus during a host bloom, revealing rapid diversification driven by host selection and pre-existing variants.

Viral infection to the raphidophycean alga Heterosigma akashiwo affects both intracellular organic matter composition and dynamics of a coastal prokaryotic community

This study shows that viral infection of the alga Heterosigma akashiwo alters its organic matter composition, promoting growth of specific Vibrio species that may impact marine food webs.

Host-encoded DNA methyltransferases modify the epigenome and host tropism of invading phages

The paper shows adapted phages share methylated motifs with their most recent host, indicating epigenetic changes influence host tropism.

Genome-resolved year-round dynamics reveal a broad range of giant virus microdiversity

This study analyzes giant virus dynamics using metagenomic data, revealing year-round recovery and distinct population dynamics linked to microdiversity and niche breadth.