A5050756960- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Micro and Nano Robotics
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Photoacoustic and Ultrasonic Imaging
- Ultrasound and Hyperthermia Applications
- Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Polysaccharides and Plant Cell Walls
- Cancer Research and Treatments
- Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Advanced Cellulose Research Studies
- Characterization and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles
- ATP Synthase and ATPases Research
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Estrogen and related hormone effects
California Institute of Technology
2021-2025
Division of Chemistry
2022-2024
University of Chicago
2018-2024
Pasadena City College
2023-2024
Jagiellonian University
2016-2019
Ultrasound allows imaging at a much greater depth than optical methods, but existing genetically encoded acoustic reporters for in vivo cellular have been limited by poor sensitivity, specificity and expression. Here we describe two reporter genes (ARGs)-one use bacteria one mammalian cells-identified through phylogenetic screen of candidate gas vesicle gene clusters from diverse archaea that provide stronger ultrasound contrast, produce non-linear signals distinguishable background tissue...
Abstract We propose the concept of universal fiducials based on a set pre-made semi-synthetic antibodies (sABs) generated by customized phage display selections against fusion protein BRIL, an engineered variant apocytochrome b562a. These sABs can bind to BRIL fused either into loops or termini different GPCRs, ion channels, receptors and transporters without disrupting their structure. A crystal structure in complex with affinity-matured sAB (BAG2) that bound all systems tested delineates...
One hallmark of plant cells is their cell wall. They protect against the environment and high turgor mediate morphogenesis through dynamics mechanical chemical properties. The walls are a complex polysaccharidic structure. Although biochemical composition well known, how different components organize in volume wall interact with each other not understood yet key to wall's To investigate ultrastructure wall, we imaged onion (Allium cepa) bulbs near-native state via cryo-focused ion beam...
Gas vesicles (GVs) are gas-filled protein nanostructures employed by several species of bacteria and archaea as flotation devices to enable access optimal light nutrients. The unique physical properties GVs have led their use genetically encodable contrast agents for ultrasound MRI. Currently, however, the structure assembly mechanism remain unknown. Here we employ cryoelectron tomography reveal how GV shell is formed a helical filament highly conserved GvpA subunits. This changes polarity...
Nanotechnology offers significant advantages for medical imaging and therapy, including enhanced contrast precision targeting. However, integrating these benefits into ultrasonography is challenging due to the size stability constraints of conventional bubble-based agents. Here bicones, truly tiny acoustic agents based on gas vesicles (GVs), a unique class air-filled protein nanostructures naturally produced in buoyant microbes, are described. It shown that sub-80 nm particles can be...
Gas vesicles (GVs) are cylindrical or spindle-shaped protein nanostructures filled with air and used for flotation by various cyanobacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, Archaea. Recently, GVs have gained interest in biotechnology applications due to their ability serve as imaging agents actuators ultrasound, magnetic resonance several optical techniques. The diameter of is a crucial parameter contributing mechanical stability, buoyancy function evolution host cells, well properties applications....
Abstract Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) are cell-surface proteins with large extracellular regions that bind to multiple ligands regulate key biological functions including neurodevelopment and organogenesis. Modulating a single function of specific aGPCR isoform while affecting no other receptor is not trivial. Here, we engineered an antibody, termed LK30, binds the region ADGRL3, specifically acts as agonist for ADGRL3 but its isoform, ADGRL1. The LK30/ADGRL3 complex...
ABSTRACT Adhesion G Protein-Coupled Receptors (aGPCRs) are key cell-adhesion molecules involved in numerous physiological functions. aGPCRs have large multi-domain extracellular regions (ECR) containing a conserved GAIN domain that precedes their seven-pass transmembrane (7TM). Ligand binding and mechanical force applied on the ECR regulate receptor function. However, how communicates with 7TM remains elusive, because relative orientation dynamics of within holoreceptor is unclear. Here, we...
The bacterial flagellar motor generates a torque to move the bacterium in its environment. Despite sharing conserved core, motors of different species exhibit structural diversity with species‐specific embellishments. These embellishments are classified into various types, including integrated (spanning whole periplasmic space) or outer membrane (OM)‐associated ones. Here, we used cryo‐electron tomography investigate differences between sheathed and unsheathed flagella species. We discovered...
Calcium imaging has enabled major biological discoveries. However, the scattering of light by tissue limits use standard fluorescent calcium indicators in living animals. To address this limitation, we introduce first genetically encoded ultrasonic reporter (URoC). Based on a unique class air-filled protein nanostructures called gas vesicles, engineered URoC to produce elevated nonlinear ultrasound signal upon binding ions. With expressed mammalian cells, demonstrate noninvasive signaling...
We tested whether G-coupled membrane estrogen receptor (GPER) and peroxisome proliferator activated (PPAR) partnership exists this interaction regulates mouse Leydig cell function. Mature aged mice were treated with the antagonist of GPER (G-15; 50 μg/kg b.w). cells (MA-10) G-15 (10 nM) alone or in combination proliferator-activated α γ antagonists, respectively (PPARα, 10 μM; PPARγ, μM). blockage affected testis steroidogenic status via changes lutropin cholesterol levels as well protein...
Coxiella burnetii is an obligate zoonotic bacterium that targets macrophages causing a disease called Q fever. It has biphasic developmental life cycle where the extracellular and metabolically inactive small cell variant (SCV) transforms inside host into vegetative large (LCV). However, details about morphological structural changes of this transition are still lacking. Here, we used cryo-electron tomography to image both SCV LCV variants grown either under axenic conditions or purified...
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Nanotechnology offers significant advantages for medical imaging and therapy, including enhanced contrast precision targeting. However, integrating these benefits into ultrasonography has been challenging due to the size stability constraints of conventional bubble-based agents. Here we describe bicones, truly tiny acoustic agents based on gas vesicles, a unique class air-filled protein nanostructures naturally produced in buoyant microbes. We show that sub-80 nm particles can be effectively...
Gas vesicles (GVs) are proteinaceous nanostructures that, along with virus-like particles, encapsulins, nanocages, and other macromolecular assemblies, being developed for potential biomedical applications. To facilitate such development, it would be valuable to characterize these nanostructures' subcellular assembly localization. However, traditional fluorescent protein fusions not tolerated by GVs' primary constituent protein, making optical microscopy a challenge. Here, we introduce...
Adhesion G Protein-Coupled Receptors (aGPCRs) are key cell-adhesion molecules involved in numerous physiological functions. aGPCRs have large multi-domain extracellular regions (ECRs) containing a conserved GAIN domain that precedes their seven-pass transmembrane (7TM). Ligand binding and mechanical force applied on the ECR regulate receptor function. However, how communicates with 7TM remains elusive, because relative orientation dynamics of within holoreceptor is unclear. Here, we describe...
A major challenge in the fields of biological imaging and synthetic biology is noninvasively visualizing functions natural engineered cells inside opaque samples such as living animals. One promising technology that addresses this limitation ultrasound (US), with its penetration depth several cm spatial resolution on order 100 μm. Within past decade, reporter genes for US have been introduced to link cellular signals via heterologous expression commensal bacteria mammalian cells. These...