DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR GENETICS - THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Research

Our lab investigates the core principles shaping biological assemblies—dynamic, organized structures that power vital cellular functions. We explore these through three interconnected directions: macromolecular complexes, supramolecular protein polymers, and phase-separated biomolecular condensates. By studying these assemblies in plants, we seek to uncover the molecular mechanisms and biochemical pathways that govern cellular responses, contributing to plant adaptation, resilience, and health across diverse conditions.

Macromolecular Complexes

Macromolecular complexes are the molecular machines of life, coordinating processes like signal transduction, metabolic regulation, and gene expression. In plants, these assemblies enable cells to respond to environmental cues, such as pathogens, drought, temperature shifts, and other stressors. Our lab merges biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and genomics approaches to analyze their architecture and dynamics in multicellular plant systems. We examine how these complexes form, how their components interact, and how their structure drives cellular responses. By probing these mechanisms, we reveal how disruptions affect plant function, offering insights to enhance resilience and adaptability.

Supramolecular Protein Polymers

Beyond individual macromolecular complexes, proteins can assemble into supramolecular polymers—higher-order networks essential for cellular organization and function. In plants, these structures support responses to mechanical stress, environmental changes, and pathogens. Our research investigates how these polymers self-organize, how their assembly is regulated, and how they contribute to cellular stability and adaptation. Using advanced imaging, biochemical analysis, and computational modeling, we capture their dynamic behavior and study the consequences of misregulation. By understanding these principles, we aim to develop strategies to bolster plant responses to diverse challenges.

Biomolecular Condensates

In contrast to rigidly structured complexes and polymers, phase-separated biomolecular condensates represent a fluid, dynamic form of cellular organization. These membraneless compartments form through liquid-liquid phase separation, creating microenvironments that concentrate biomolecules and facilitate essential biochemical reactions. Our lab investigates the molecular and biophysical mechanisms that drive phase separation, focusing on how in vivo factors contribute to the formation and regulation of condensates. We explore their roles in key cellular processes such as stress response, transcriptional control, and signal transduction. By employing genetics, biochemistry, computation, and quantitative microscopy, we seek to understand how changes in protein phase behavior influence cellular function and contribute to disease. Our work aims not only to decipher the fundamental principles of condensate biology but also to identify new therapeutic strategies that harness phase separation to restore cellular balance under stress or pathological conditions.

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