Adaptation Through Genetic Conflict

I’m a researcher broadly interested in the evolutionary forces shaping life. My work explores how bacteria adapt to the pervasive and dynamic threats posed by mobile genetic elements, such as bacteriophages and plasmids, and how these interactions drive innovation in microbial genomes. Combining molecular and computational biology, my research aims to uncover the mechanisms and evolutionary dynamics underlying these conflicts.

Blue phage
Figure from Zorya phage defense Nature paper

Recsearch Highlights

Structure and mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defence system

11 December 2024

We uncover the structural and functional mechanisms of the Zorya bacterial immune system. Using cryo-EM and mutational analysis, we show that ZorAB forms a proton-driven motor that activates soluble nucleases ZorC and ZorD upon phage invasion. Read more in Nature.

Figure from supramolecular defense Trends in Microbiology paper

Supramolecular assemblies in bacterial immunity: an emerging paradigm

27 June 2024

We highlight a growing trend in bacterial immune systems: the formation of large supramolecular complexes. Drawing parallels to eukaryotic immunity, we explore their evolutionary advantages and propose new directions for understanding immune organization. Read more in Trends in Microbiology.

Figure from embedded defense systems BioRxiv preprint

New antiviral defences are genetically embedded within prokaryotic immune systems

30 January 2024

We discovered that many bacterial immune systems contain additional immune systems embedded within them. Building on this insight, we developed a ‘guilt-by-embedding’ approach to predict new immune systems, uncovering seven validated systems and 145 candidates. Read more in BioRxiv.

Figure from PADLOC Nucleic Acids Research paper

Identification and classification of antiviral defence systems in bacteria and archaea with PADLOC reveals new system types

4 October 2021

We present PADLOC, a flexible and scalable tool for identifying antiviral defence systems in prokaryotic genomes. Read more in Nucleic Acids Research.

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