Rachel B. Brem

Genetics and genomics of enteroarthroconidial development in Coccidioides

This study uses single-cell RNA-seq and genetic approaches to identify a role for pyropoptosis-like cell death in enteroarthroconidial development in Coccidioides.

Evolutionary insights into an ancient fungal transition from land to sea

This study investigates the evolutionary transition of fungi from land to sea using Kluyveromyces yeasts, finding genome size reduction, phenotypic changes, and positive selection in marine species.

Population structure of human-infecting and environmental isolates of Coccidioides immitis, the fungus causing Valley fever

The paper analyzes genetic structure and diversity of Coccidioides immitis in environmental and human isolates to understand disease transmission and environmental distribution.

Genomic signatures of selection in the mound-building mouse Mus spicilegus

This study identifies genomic signatures of selection in Mus spicilegus, revealing accelerated evolution in brain-active genes linked to seasonal development and mound-building behavior.

High-throughput screening reveals mechanisms of environmental control of germination in a fungal thermophile

This study identifies genetic mechanisms controlling temperature-dependent germination in the fungal thermophile Thermothelomyces thermophilus through insertional mutagenesis and validation of zinc transporter role.

Elevated lysosomal mass and enzyme activity in fibroblasts of the Mediterranean mouse Mus spretus

The paper compares lysosomal characteristics between fibroblasts of two mouse species, finding elevated lysosomal mass and enzyme activity in M. spretus compared to M. musculus.

The role of mitotype variation and positive epistasis in trait differences between Saccharomyces species

The paper investigates how mitochondrial DNA variation and positive epistasis contribute to thermotolerance differences between Saccharomyces species.

Evolutionary adaptation under climate change: Aedes sp. demonstrates potential to adapt to warming

This study shows Aedes sierrensis has heritable genetic variation in heat tolerance that could allow it to adapt to warming faster than projected climate changes.

Systems biology and machine learning approaches identify metabolites that influence dietary lifespan and healthspan responses across flies and humans.

Extensive longevity and DNA virus-driven adaptation in nearctic Myotis bats

This study identifies genetic adaptations in Myotis bats linked to longevity and viral tolerance through genome analysis and functional experiments.

Inferring the composition of a mixed culture of natural microbial isolates by deep sequencing

The paper develops a method to infer strain composition in microbial mixed cultures using natural SNPs as barcodes, validated on Coccidioides posadasii isolates and applied to GWAS.

A natural variation-based screen in mouse cells reveals USF2 as a regulator of the DNA damage response and cellular senescence

A role for worm cutl-24 in background- and parent-of-origin-dependent ER stress resistance

The paper identifies cutl-24 as a gene responsible for ER stress resistance in a Kenyan C. elegans isolate, showing parent-of-origin effects and validating its role through genetic experiments.

A chromosomal-level reference genome of the widely utilized Coccidioides posadasii laboratory strain "Silveira"

The paper presents a chromosomal-level genome assembly of the Coccidioides posadasii Silveira strain using SMRT sequencing, improving genome annotation and enabling future genomic studies.

Musashi expression in intestinal stem cells attenuates radiation-induced decline in intestinal homeostasis and survival in Drosophila

This study identifies Musashi as a regulator of intestinal stem cell function in Drosophila, showing its role in improving survival and gut permeability after radiation exposure.

Genome-wide analysis reveals distinct genetic mechanisms of diet-dependent lifespan and healthspan in D. melanogaster

The paper identifies genetic mechanisms underlying diet-dependent lifespan and healthspan in D. melanogaster using GWAS and validates gene effects on lifespan and climbing ability.

S1PR3 mediates itch and pain via distinct TRP channel-dependent pathways

This study identifies distinct TRP channel-dependent pathways through which S1PR3 mediates itch and pain in mice.

Genetic dissection of an ancient divergence in yeast thermotolerance

This study identifies eight housekeeping genes responsible for Saccharomyces cerevisiae's thermotolerance advantage over S. paradoxus using a new mapping approach in a sterile hybrid.

The signaling lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate regulates mechanical pain

This study identifies sphingosine 1-phosphate and its receptor S1PR3 as critical regulators of mechanical pain by modulating mechanonociceptor excitability.

Functional genomics of lipid metabolism in the oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides

The paper develops a high-throughput genetics method for Rhodosporidium toruloides, identifies essential genes, and reveals key processes in lipid metabolism.