Publications by authors named "M Beckstette"

Epigenetic mechanisms stabilize gene expression patterns during CD8+ T cell differentiation. Although adoptive transfer of virus-specific T cells is clinically applied to reduce the risk of virus infection or reactivation in immunocompromised individuals, the DNA methylation pattern of virus-specific CD8+ T cells is largely unknown. Hence, we here performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of cytomegalovirus-specific human CD8+ T cells and found that they display a unique DNA methylation pattern consisting of 79 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) when compared to memory CD8+ T cells.

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, also knowen as the Japanese tea hortensia, is known for its sweet taste and health properties of bevarages produced from this plant. The 3,4-dihydroisocoumarins, hydrangenol and phyllodulcin harbour a variety of biological activities and pharmacological properties. Therefore, a detailed understanding of dihydroisocoumarin biosynthesis in is of major interest.

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RNA degradation is an essential process that allows bacteria to regulate gene expression and has emerged as an important mechanism for controlling virulence. However, the individual contributions of RNases in this process are mostly unknown. Here, we tested the influence of 11 potential RNases in the intestinal pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis on the expression of its type III secretion system (T3SS) and associated effectors (Yops) that are encoded on the Yersinia virulence plasmid.

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Article Synopsis
  • Gut-draining mesenteric and celiac lymph nodes are essential for promoting tolerance to food and microbes by helping to generate regulatory T cells in the immune system.
  • A brief gastrointestinal infection during infancy disrupts the ability of celiac lymph nodes to induce these protective Tregs by changing the characteristics of specific supporting cells within the lymph nodes.
  • Lower levels of vitamin A after infection lead to lasting functional impairments in celiac lymph nodes, but early vitamin A treatment could mitigate these negative effects.
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The current focus on renewable energy in global policy highlights the importance of methane production from biomass through anaerobic digestion (AD). To improve biomass digestion while ensuring overall process stability, microbiome-based management strategies become more important. In this study, metagenomes and metaproteomes were used for metagenomically assembled genome (MAG)-centric analyses to investigate a full-scale biogas plant consisting of three differentially operated digesters.

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