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Articles by Simone Evans
PTEN Regulates Microtubule Polymerization via mTORC2, But Not mTORC1, in Peripheral Sensory Neurons
axon cytoskeleton peripheral regeneration PTEN tubulin Significance Statement Pten-KO promotes neuron growth, but Pten has several downstream effectors, and it is unclear which effectors drive axonal regeneration. One of these downstream targets is the microtubule cytoskeleton, which is vital for normal axonal growth and development. We demonstrate that Pten-KO increases MT polymerization rates in the growth cone, but not proximal shaft, in axons of peripheral sensory neurons.
Phage terminase recognition by the bacterial immune sensors Avs2 and Upx
Abstract Prokaryotes employ diverse defense strategies to detect and halt the progression of phage infection. Multiple defense systems sense phage proteins through direct binding, including antiviral STAND NTPases (Avs), which oligomerize upon target recognition to induce programmed cell death. The widespread Avs2 family was previously shown to detect the large terminase subunit of tailed phages, but the mechanism of terminase sensing was unknown.
Diverse bacterial pattern recognition receptors sense the core phage proteome
Abstract Recognition of foreign molecules inside cells is critical for immunity across all domains of life. Proteins of the STAND NTPase superfamily1,2, including eukaryotic NOD-like receptors, play a central role in this process3,4. In bacteria and archaea, although several STAND families sense phage proteins5,6,7,8,9, their functional diversity remains largely unexplored.
Navigating access refusals after the ECJ’s Google Android Auto-ruling
Big Tech faces significant challenges when denying third parties access to their open platforms. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that a dominant company’s refusal to make its open platform compatible with a third-party app can constitute an abuse of a dominant position if granting interoperability would make the third-party app more attractive to consumers.
Rolling the dice on roll-up strategies
For the first time, the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has cleared an acquisition based on a ‘roll-up strategy’ assessment. The outcome of another roll-up strategy merger assessment is pending. Meanwhile, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs is considering how to fill the gap in the ACM’s powers to assess roll-up strategies. Companies will have to wait and see how the dice roll when considering serial acquisitions.
Google Shopping: self-preferencing can be abusive
Dominant digital companies can run into trouble if they favour their own services on a platform (so-called ‘self-preferencing’). The European Court of Justice (ECJ) held that self-preferencing can be an abuse of a dominant position if the conduct deviates from competition on the merits and can exclude or limit the growth of equally efficient competitors.
Digital Antitrust Conduct: Too Elusive To Catch?
The ink on the Digital Market Act (DMA) has barely dried, but fast-evolving digital developments already have competition authorities calling for new tools. Is Big Tech not kept in check by the DMA, the antitrust rules and the EU Merger Regulation after all? Certain digital conduct may prove too elusive to catch using these current tools.
Digital antitrust conduct: too elusive to catch?
The ink on the Digital Market Act (DMA) has barely dried, but fast-evolving digital developments already have competition authorities calling for new tools. Is Big Tech not kept in check by the DMA, the antitrust rules and the EU Merger Regulation after all? Certain digital conduct may prove too elusive to catch using these current tools.
Commission steers market definition to the 21st century
The European Commission has updated its guidance on how to define relevant markets for the purpose of EU competition law enforcement. The revised Market Definition Notice codifies over 20 years of EU case law and practice. It explains how the Commission will take account of relatively new market realities, such as digitalisation and globalisation, when defining relevant markets.
On repeat but louder: the ACM’s 2024 priorities
On 23 January 2024, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) announced its 2024 priorities. They are the same for the fourth consecutive year (see our February 2023 newsletter). The energy transition, the digital economy and sustainability seem chiselled on the ACM’s priority list. However, this time better-equipped enforcement methods are available. Furthermore, an Advisory Board has been set up to safeguard the ACM’s independence.
European Court of Justice plays hardball in Sports rulings
The rulings by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the discretionary powers of international sports associations to authorise alternative competitions show that the specifics of sports are no reason to tread lightly when applying EU competition rules. Regulatory powers of international sports associations resulting in conflicts of interests or ‘favouritism’ are not inherent to the game.
Competition law in 2024: putting theory into practice
Never fear, guidance is here The Commission ticked nearly all the boxes in its policy review wish list. The new Horizontal Guidelines accompanying the R&D and Specialisation Block Exemption Regulations have led the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) to largely give in on how to assess sustainability collaborations. Upcoming informal views and opinions may clarify how much room is left for companies to manoeuvre under the remaining gap (see our December 2023 newsletter).
Forewarned is forearmed: RPM still top of mind
The clock is ticking for companies to set the record straight on resale price maintenance (RPM). Retailers must be able to determine their own retail prices without any direct or indirect meddling by suppliers. The Dutch Authority for Consumer and Markets (ACM) recently warned various suppliers to refrain from illegally influencing their retailers’ resale prices.
Hybridization in the Fringed Orchids: An Analysis of Species Boundaries in The Face of Gene Flow
Altmetric share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite thumb_up ... Endorse textsms ... Comment Need Help? Support Find support for a specific problem in the support section of our website. Get Support Feedback Please let us know what you think of our products and services. Give Feedback Information Visit our dedicated information section to learn more about MDPI. Get Information clear Font Type: Arial Georgia Verdana Line Spacing: Column Width: Open AccessArticle by Simone A.
Levelling the playing field in 2023: new tools and hurdles
While 2022 mainly revolved around new and improved regulatory tools, the main focus in 2023 will likely be on putting these tools to use. New tools are either in place or on the horizon for levelling the playing field in antitrust issues, M&A transactions and consumer-law enforcement.
Competition law developments in 2022
In 2022, the overhaul of the European Commission’s competition policy progressed steadily alongside ‘traditional’ competition law enforcement. More clarity on the vertical, social, and digital aspects of competition law is now available, with more fine-tuning imminent in 2023. Vertical aspects The new Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER) provides companies with up-to-date guidance on how to assess their vertical agreements under the EU competition rules.
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