Publications by authors named "P D Steinbach"

Altered DNA dynamics at lesion sites are implicated in how DNA repair proteins sense damage within genomic DNA. Using laser temperature-jump (T-jump) spectroscopy combined with cytosine-analog Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) probes that sense local DNA conformations, we measured the intrinsic dynamics of DNA containing 3 base-pair mismatches recognized in vitro by Rad4 (yeast ortholog of XPC). Rad4/XPC recognizes diverse lesions from environmental mutagens and initiates nucleotide excision repair.

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Raccoons (Procyon lotor) originated in North America and have been introduced to Europe. Due to their close contact with human settlements, they are important reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens, such as Baylisascaris procyonis. The relevance and prevalence of vector-borne pathogens have not yet been fully elucidated.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers collected blood or spleen samples from 220 badgers in nine countries between 2017 and 2021 and used PCR analysis and sequencing to identify various VBPs present in the animals.
  • * Key findings revealed the presence of several pathogens, including different types of Babesia, Trypanosoma pestanai, and Mycoplasma, while Rickettsia, Bartonella, and filarioid nematodes were not detected.
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  • DNA replication is crucial for cell division and maintaining genetic stability, with the RFC complex playing a key role by loading important proteins onto DNA.
  • While RFC1's involvement in certain disorders is recognized, the impact of RFC2-5 subunits, particularly RFC4, on human genetic diseases remains under-researched.
  • Our study identifies harmful variants in RFC4 linked to a new disorder marked by muscle weakness and hearing issues, showing how these variants disrupt RFC complex formation and ultimately affect DNA replication and cell cycle processes.
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Modular supramolecular complexes, where different proteins are assembled to gather targeting capability and photofunctional properties within the same structures, are of special interest for bacterial photodynamic inactivation, given their inherent biocompatibility and flexibility. We have recently proposed one such structure, exploiting the tetrameric bacterial protein streptavidin as the main building block, to target protein A. To expand the palette of targets, we have linked biotinylated Concanavalin A, a sugar-binding protein, to a methylene blue-labelled streptavidin.

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