K. L. Saar

Single-molecule digital sizing of proteins in solution

This paper introduces smMDS, a method for digital sizing of proteins in solution, enabling sensitive and accurate measurement of protein sizes and interactions.

Alpha-synuclein oligomers displace monomeric alpha-synuclein from lipid membranes

This study shows that alpha-synuclein oligomers bind more strongly to curved lipid membranes and displace monomeric alpha-synuclein, suggesting a new mechanism for Parkinson's disease toxicity.

Modulating Nucleic Acid Phase Transitions as a Mechanism of Action for Cell-Penetrating Antimicrobial Peptides

This study identifies that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) induce nucleic acid phase separation, which may be a novel mechanism for their antibacterial activity.

Turning high-throughput structural biology into predictive inhibitor design

This paper develops a machine learning framework to predict protein-ligand affinity from structural data, enabling the design of potent inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease.

The chromatin regulator HMGA1a undergoes phase separation in the nucleus

This study shows HMGA1a undergoes phase separation in the nucleus, driven by protein-DNA interactions and its disordered C-terminal tail.

Rotavirus Replication Factories Are Complex Ribonucleoprotein Condensates

This study shows rotavirus replication factories are RNA-protein condensates formed by phase separation, with unique features that could be targeted for antiviral therapies.

Machine learning aided top-down protein identification on a microfluidic platform

This paper demonstrates a microfluidic platform that generates multidimensional protein fingerprints, enabling high-accuracy classification using machine learning, even when single-dimensional classification fails.

Machine learning models for predicting protein condensate formation from sequence determinants and embeddings

This paper develops machine learning models to predict protein condensate formation using sequence determinants and embeddings, achieving high accuracy and sensitivity.

Direct digital sensing of protein biomarkers in solution

This paper introduces a single-molecule microfluidic platform for digital protein biomarker detection, demonstrating its ability to quantify protein concentrations and provide insights beyond traditional immunoassays.

Surface electrostatics govern the emulsion stability of biomolecular condensates

The paper investigates how surface electrostatics influence the stability of biomolecular condensates by comparing their fusion propensity using zeta potential measurements and molecular modeling.

Rapid Fractionation and Characterisation of Alpha-Synuclein Oligomers in Solution

This study demonstrates microfluidic free-flow electrophoresis for rapidly separating and characterizing alpha-synuclein oligomers in solution.