F. Chang

Microtubule dynamic instability is sensitive to specific biological viscogens in vitro

This study shows that microtubule dynamic instability is sensitive to specific viscogens, with glycerol having a distinct effect compared to other viscogens.

Small molecule nitroalkenes inhibit RAD51-mediated homologous recombination and amplify triple-negative breast cancer cell killing by DNA-directed therapies.

This paper identifies nitroalkenes that inhibit RAD51-mediated homologous recombination, enhancing DNA damage in triple-negative breast cancer cells and showing potential as anticancer agents.

Quantifying turgor pressure in budding and fission yeasts based upon osmotic properties

The paper measures turgor pressure in yeast species using isotonic concentration methods and reports strain-specific values.

ZNF524 directly interacts with telomeric DNA and supports telomere integrity

This study identifies ZNF524 as a telomere-binding protein that maintains telomere integrity by supporting TRF2/RAP1 localization and preventing DNA damage and recombination.

A unified model for the dynamics of ATP-independent ultrafast contraction

This study develops a minimal mathematical model to explain ultrafast contraction in ciliated protists, identifying three dynamic regimes based on chemical driving rates and inertia.

Spike-specific CXCR3+ TFH cells play a dominant functional role in supporting antibody responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination

This study identifies spike-specific CXCR3+ TFH cells as key drivers of long-term antibody responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.

Benzo(a)pyrene regulates chaperone-mediated autophagy via heat shock protein 90

This study shows that benzo(a)pyrene induces chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) and DNA damage through heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in lung cells.

Vast heterogeneity in cytoplasmic diffusion rates revealed by nanorheology and Doppelgänger simulations

The paper measures cytoplasmic diffusion heterogeneity in fission yeast using nanorheology and simulations, finding large variations in viscosity that are not explained by experimental variability.

Control of nuclear size by osmotic forces in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

This study shows that nuclear size in fission yeast is controlled by osmotic forces, with macromolecule concentration dictating the nuclear-to-cell volume ratio.

nucGEMs probe the biophysical properties of the nucleoplasm

The paper introduces nucGEMs, fluorescent nanoparticles that probe nucleoplasm biophysical properties, revealing differences in motility, exclusion from heterochromatin, and effects of mitotic condensation.

The ESX-1 secretion system senses bacterial contact and prepares mycobacteria for environmental adaptation

The paper shows the ESX-1 system in mycobacteria senses bacterial contact and environmental nitrogen levels, regulating secretion and adaptation.

Starvation induces shrinkage of the bacterial cytoplasm

This study shows that starvation causes E. coli to shrink its inner membrane and cytoplasm, driven by water loss, and that the Tol-Pal system is essential for recovery.

Physical properties of the cytoplasm modulate the rates of microtubule polymerization and depolymerization

This study shows that cytoplasmic viscosity affects microtubule polymerization and depolymerization rates in fission yeast, moss, and mammalian cells.

Variations of intracellular density during the cell cycle arises from tip-growth regulation in fission yeast

This study shows that intracellular density in fission yeast changes during the cell cycle due to volume growth modulation, with density decreasing in G2, increasing in mitosis, and dropping at cell birth.

Girdin: an essential component of pre-replicative complex in human cells

This study identifies Girdin as an essential replication initiation factor in human cells, required for pre-RC assembly by recruiting Cdc6 to DNA origins.

Reassessment of the basis of cell size control based on analysis of cell-to-cell variability

The paper reassesses cell size control mechanisms by analyzing cell-to-cell variability in fission yeast, showing that apparent deviations from theoretical models arise from geometric measurement errors and variability.

Decoupling of rates of protein synthesis from cell expansion leads to supergrowth

The paper shows that fission yeast can accumulate biomass without expanding in volume, leading to supergrowth when volume expansion resumes.

Structural Basis of Tubulin Recruitment and Assembly by Tumor Overexpressed Gene (TOG) domain array Microtubule Polymerases

The paper elucidates the structural mechanism by which TOG domain arrays in Alp14 recruit and polymerize tubulins through square-shaped assemblies that unfurl to facilitate polymerization.

Dynamical localization of a thylakoid membrane binding protein is required for acquisition of photosynthetic competency

The paper shows that dynamic localization of Vipp1 at high curvature thylakoid regions is necessary for photosynthetic competency acquisition during the dark-to-light transition.