L. M. Rice

Interface-acting nucleotide controls polymerization dynamics at microtubule plus- and minus-ends

The paper resolves a debate on microtubule dynamics by showing that interfacial nucleotides determine tubulin:tubulin interaction strength through experimental and simulation studies.

Working strokes produced by curling protofilaments at disassembling microtubule tips can be biochemically tuned and vary with species

The paper measures working strokes from curling protofilaments at disassembling microtubule tips, showing magnesium and species differences affect mechanical energy output.

Measurements and simulations of microtubule growth imply strong longitudinal interactions and reveal a role for GDP on the elongating end

The paper measures microtubule growth dynamics using interference reflection microscopy and models the effects of GTP hydrolysis, revealing that GDP exposure at the microtubule end increases growth fluctuations and suggests slow association kinetics.

A role for long-range, through-lattice coupling in microtubule catastrophe

This study shows that long-range, through-lattice coupling between microtubule subunits is critical for accurately predicting microtubule catastrophe.

Direct observation of individual tubulin dimers binding to growing microtubules

The paper directly measures tubulin on- and off-rates at growing microtubule tips using interferometric scattering microscopy and computational modeling.