W. Thotamune

Optical Control of Cell-Surface and Endomembrane-Exclusive β-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling

This paper introduces OptoIso, a photo-labile ligand that selectively activates βAR signaling at the cell surface or endomembranes using blue light, enabling precise study of its role in cardiac pathology.

Engineered blue-shifted melanopsins for subcellular optogenetics

This paper engineers blue-shifted melanopsin mutants using computational methods to enable subcellular optogenetic control without red light activation.

CaaX-motif adjacent residues control G protein prenylation under suboptimal conditions

The paper investigates how specific residues near the CaaX-motif regulate G protein prenylation and membrane interactions under suboptimal conditions, explaining differential statin effects on G protein signaling.