Nicholas S. Tolwinski

This paper identifies causal genes in diabetic nephropathy using a cross-species systems genetics framework, finding 192 candidate genes with 40% validated in humans.

The paper measures β-catenin protein stability in vivo during development and finds stabilization at the leading edge during dorsal closure, linked to adhesion function and regulated by Dishevelled and JNK.

This study investigates whether human amyloid beta aggregates can be transmitted via ingestion across species using zebrafish and Drosophila models, finding no detectable transmission or pathology.

This study combines stem cell rejuvenation and senescent cell clearance to synergistically extend lifespan and improve healthspan in organisms.

This study identifies a non-canonical Raf function in Drosophila embryogenesis that is essential for dorsal-ventral patterning, independent of the MAPK cascade.

This study uses an optogenetic tool to show that Drosophila embryos are most sensitive to Htl over-activation during a specific developmental window, affecting heart morphogenesis.

This study uses optogenetic Amyloid-β to distinguish between metabolic and physical damage in Alzheimer's disease, showing that oligomerization causes severe tissue loss and that Li+ treatment reduces lifespan deficits.

This study identifies metabolic dysfunction, particularly in the TCA cycle, as an early and causative event in Alzheimer's disease using a transgenic C. elegans model.

The paper combines optogenetics and light-sheet microscopy to study Wnt signaling in Drosophila embryos, showing light-induced inhibition of Wnt signaling and its role in development.

The paper develops an in vivo Drosophila assay to distinguish Wnt pathway transcriptional responses, identifying gene sets regulated by β-catenin, TCF, and non-canonical Wnt4.

The paper investigates how the morphogen Bicoid's temporal exposure affects cell fate decisions in Drosophila embryos using optogenetic manipulation.

The paper shows that Drosophila fed galactose have shorter lifespans, but their offspring live longer when switched to glucose, defining this as trans-generational hormesis.