Computationally instrument-resolution-independent de novo peptide sequencing for high-resolution devices | Nature Machine Intelligence
De novo peptide sequencing is the key technology for finding novel peptides from mass spectra. Here researchers present PointNovo, a neural network-based de novo peptide sequencing model that can robustly handle any resolution levels of mass spectrometry data while keeping the computational complexity unchanged.
Overdispersion in COVID-19 increases the effectiveness of limiting nonrepetitive contacts for transmission control | PNAS
Evidence indicates that superspreading plays a dominant role in COVID-19 transmission, so that a small fraction of infected people causes a large proportion of new COVID-19 cases. Researchers developed an agent-based model that simulates a superspreading disease moving through a society with networks of both repeated contacts and nonrepeated, random contacts. The results indicate that superspreading is the virus’ Achilles’ heel: Reducing random contacts—such as those that occur at sporting events, restaurants, bars, and the like—can control the outbreak at population scales.
Towards a mechanistic understanding of reciprocal drug–microbiome interactions | Molecular Systems Biology
Broad‐spectrum antibiotics target multiple gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria, and can collaterally damage the gut microbiota. Yet, our knowledge of the extent of damage, the antibiotic activity spectra, and the resistance mechanisms of gut microbes is sparse. Microbiome–drug interactions are bidirectional, as microbes can also modulate drugs. This review describes recent developments in the field and discusses future study areas that will benefit from systems biology approaches to better understand the mechanistic role of the human gut microbiota in drug actions.