H. A. Stone

Electric charge controls plasmodesma conductivity

The paper shows that anionic fluorescent dyes up to 1 kDa pass through plasmodesmata while smaller cationic ones do not, suggesting plasmodesmal pores may have positive charges.

Free-floating Bacteria Transcriptionally Respond to Shear Flow

This study shows free-floating bacteria detect shear flow to alter gene expression, enhancing survival in low oxygen conditions through quorum sensing and oxygen gradient formation.

Distinct microcolony morphologies promote flow-dependent bacterial colonization

The paper shows that bacterial species use distinct microcolony morphologies to colonize surfaces under high fluid flow, with S. aureus relying on signaling molecules and E. faecalis on mechanical forces.

Building on-chip cytoskeletal circuits via branched microtubule networks

This paper develops a microfluidic platform to engineer microtubule circuits by integrating microfabrication with microtubule branching reactions, enabling controlled MT architecture for on-chip applications.

The exchange dynamics of biomolecular condensates

The paper derives an analytical expression for condensate exchange timescales and shows interface resistance can arise from molecular bouncing at the droplet interface.

Acentrosomal spindles assemble from branching microtubule nucleation near chromosomes

The paper shows that chromosomes can nucleate microtubules to form spindles without centrosomes, using branching nucleation near kinetochores.

Confinement size determines the architecture of Ran-induced microtubule networks

This study shows that the architecture of Ran-induced microtubule networks depends on droplet size and Ran concentration in Xenopus egg extracts.

The transition state and regulation of γ-TuRC-mediated microtubule nucleation revealed by single molecule microscopy

This study uses single molecule microscopy to reveal how γ-TuRC nucleates microtubules, showing a cooperative mechanism involving 4 β-tubulin dimers and the role of XMAP215 in enhancing nucleation efficiency.

Spatiotemporal organization of branched microtubule networks

The paper studies branched microtubule network formation in Xenopus egg extracts, showing that TPX2, augmin, and γ-TuRC regulate nucleation through a sequential reaction pathway.

Cell membranes resist flow

This study shows that membrane tension does not propagate across intact cells, challenging the idea that it mediates long-range signaling.

Calcium oscillations in wounded fibroblast monolayers are spatially regulated through substrate mechanics

This study shows that calcium oscillations in fibroblast monolayers are spatially regulated by substrate mechanics and actomyosin activity during wound healing.