S. Alberti

Biomolecular condensates sustain pH gradients at equilibrium driven by charge neutralisation

This study shows that biomolecular condensates can sustain pH gradients without energy input by neutralizing charges, revealing their role in creating pH microenvironments.

Optical characterization of molecular interaction strength in protein condensates

The paper introduces optical techniques to measure molecular interaction strength and physical properties of protein condensates, showing how sequence variations and environmental factors affect these properties.

Chemical inhibition of the integrated stress response impairs the ubiquitin-proteasome system

The paper shows that ISRIB impairs UPS degradation in the cytosol during proteotoxic stress, particularly affecting RQC and leading to UPS dysfunction.

Intra-condensate demixing of TDP-43 inside stress granules generates pathological aggregates

This study shows that TDP-43 aggregation in stress granules requires up-concentration and oxidative stress, leading to intra-condensate demixing and pathological aggregates.

Membrane cliffs are giant, recursive platforms that drive calcium and protein kinase signaling for cell growth

The paper identifies membrane cliffs as signaling platforms that drive calcium and kinase signaling for cell growth through Trop-2 super-complexes.

Small molecule modulation of a redox-sensitive stress granule protein dissolves stress granules with beneficial outcomes for familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models

The paper identifies lipoamide as a small molecule that dissolves stress granules and improves outcomes in ALS models by modulating redox-sensitive proteins.

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.

Quantifying collective interactions in biomolecular phase separation

This study quantifies collective interactions in biomolecular phase separation by analyzing dilute phase concentrations and free energy, revealing how salts and small molecules modulate condensate formation.

A conserved and tunable mechanism for the temperature-controlled condensation of the translation factor Ded1p

The paper investigates how Ded1p translation factors assemble into condensates in response to heat across fungi, identifying structural and amino acid determinants of temperature sensitivity.

SAMHD1 controls innate immunity by regulating condensation of immunogenic self RNA

This study shows SAMHD1 regulates innate immunity by controlling RNA condensation, preventing immune recognition of self RNA and reducing inflammation.

Phase separating RNA binding proteins form heterogeneous distributions of clusters in subsaturated solutions

This study investigates cluster formation in subsaturated solutions of RNA binding proteins with prion-like domains and finds that cluster formation and phase separation are coupled through sequence-specific interactions.

Mapping tumor spheroid mechanics in dependence of 3D microenvironment stiffness and degradability by Brillouin microscopy

This study uses Brillouin microscopy to map tumor spheroid mechanics in 3D hydrogels, showing that stiffness and degradability affect mechanical properties and cell invasion.

Quantitative proteomics identifies the universally conserved ATPase Ola1p as a positive regulator of heat shock response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The paper identifies Ola1p as a positive regulator of heat shock response in yeast through proteomics and cell-based assays, showing its role in stabilizing misfolded proteins and facilitating translation resumption after stress.

HspB8 prevents aberrant phase transitions of FUS by chaperoning its folded RNA binding domain

This study identifies HspB8's role in preventing FUS condensate hardening by interacting with its RNA-binding domain, suggesting a mechanism to prevent neurodegenerative disease-associated phase transitions.

The arrested state of processing bodies supports mRNA regulation in early development

This study shows that arrested P body condensates in Drosophila oocytes prevent premature mRNA release, supporting mRNA regulation during early development.

Reentrant liquid condensate phase of proteins is stabilized by hydrophobic and non-ionic interactions

The paper shows that proteins forming liquid condensates can reenter a phase-separated state at high salt concentrations due to hydrophobic and non-ionic interactions, distinct from low-salt electrostatic-driven phase separation.

Correlative all-optical quantification of mass density and mechanics of sub-cellular compartments with fluorescence specificity

This paper introduces FOB microscopy to measure sub-cellular density and mechanics with fluorescence specificity, revealing differences between nucleoplasm and cytoplasm.

Biomolecular condensates undergo a generic shear-mediated liquid-to-solid transition

The paper shows that protein condensates undergo a liquid-to-solid transition under mechanical shear, revealing hydrogen bonding as a key factor.

High Resolution Biomolecular Condensate Phase Diagrams with a Combinatorial Microdroplet Platform

This paper introduces a microdroplet platform to rapidly generate high-resolution phase diagrams of biomolecular condensates and demonstrates its application in studying phase transitions.

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.

Reorganization of budding yeast cytoplasm upon energy depletion

This study uses electron tomography to show that yeast cells reorganize their cytoplasm and form membrane-less organelles when ATP is depleted, as part of a survival strategy.

Protein products of non-stop mRNA disrupt nucleolar homeostasis

This study shows that nonstop mRNA proteins accumulate in nucleoli, disrupting their structure and function, and links this to neurodegeneration mechanisms.

Loss of ELK1 has differential effects on age-dependent organ fibrosis and integrin expression

This study shows that loss of ELK1 leads to age-related fibrosis in the lung and liver but not heart or kidneys, and links reduced ELK1 to cigarette smoke exposure.

Filament formation by the translation factor eIF2B regulates protein synthesis in starved cells

This study shows that eIF2B filament formation in starved yeast cells regulates translation by acidification-induced assembly, independent of Gcn2 kinase, promoting stress survival and recovery.

Intracellular mass density increase is accompanying but not sufficient for stiffening and growth arrest of yeast cells

The paper shows that increased intracellular mass density correlates with stiffness in yeast cells during metabolic arrest but is not sufficient for growth arrest.

Local Nucleation Of Microtubule Bundles Through Tubulin Concentration Into A Condensed Tau Phase

The paper shows that tau forms liquid droplets that concentrate tubulin, enabling local microtubule bundle nucleation without centrosomes.