Alan Koh

Distinct genetic requirements underlie LITE-1-dependent photosensation and avoidance of high concentration of diacetyl in C. elegans

The paper shows that LITE-1 in C. elegans uses distinct genetic pathways for photosensation and chemosensation of diacetyl.

A Neuronally Active Bacterial Siderophore Manipulates Host Behavior and Longevity

This study identifies bacterial enterobactin as a non-canonical neurotransmitter that modulates host behavior and aging via mitochondrial function and redox state.

Continuous negative autoregulation fine-tunes dosage-sensitive transcription factor expression to maintain post-mitotic neuron identity

This study shows that negative autoregulation of the TF UNC-3 maintains precise expression levels in post-mitotic neurons, counterbalanced by positive input from CEH-20/PBX, ensuring cell identity.

Membrane-targeting antimicrobials trigger lysis in Bacillus subtilis by disturbing the MreB-dependent regulation of peptidoglycan hydrolases

This study shows membrane-targeting antimicrobials cause Bacillus subtilis lysis by disrupting MreB-dependent regulation of peptidoglycan hydrolases, not directly through membrane permeabilisation.

The last resort antibiotic daptomycin exhibits two independent antibacterial mechanisms of action

This study identifies two independent mechanisms by which daptomycin exerts its antibacterial effects: cell wall synthesis inhibition and membrane depolarisation.

The C. elegans gustatory receptor homolog LITE-1 is a chemoreceptor required for diacetyl avoidance

This study identifies LITE-1 as a chemoreceptor in C. elegans that mediates both blue light and diacetyl avoidance behaviors.