The paper shows that microtubule-dependent nuclear invaginations cause lamin B1 depletion and nuclear rupture through mechanical stress, aiding mitotic entry.

bioRxiv · Jul 17, 2026 · PreprintCell Biology

Influenza A Virus Infection Impairs Neuronal Activity in Human iPSC-Derived NGN2 Neural Co-Cultures

Feline F. W. Benavides, Annabel Kempff, Hilde Smeenk, Bas Lendemeijer, Marla Lavrijsen, Johan A. Slotman, Steven A. Kushner, Femke M. S. de Vrij, Lisa Bauer, Debby A.J. van Riel

This study shows that Influenza A Virus infection impairs neuronal activity in human iPSC-derived neural co-cultures without causing cell death or efficient virus replication.

Acta Neuropathologica Communications · Apr 18, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Early Fibrin Biofilm Development in Cardiovascular Infections

Safae Oukrich, Jane H. Hong, Mariël Leon-Grooters, Wiggert A. van Cappellen, Johan A. Slotman, Gijsje Hendrika Koenderink, Willem J. B. van Wamel, Moniek P.M. de Maat, Klazina Kooiman, Kirby R. Lattwein

This study investigates how Staphylococcus aureus forms fibrin-based biofilms in cardiovascular infections, showing coagulase is essential and fibrin strands form within 3 hours in human plasma.

Biofilm · Feb 7, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

A minimum threshold for myelination of pyramidal cells in human and mouse neocortex

Maria Pascual-Garcia, Maurits Unkel, Johan A. Slotman, Anne Bolleboom, Bibi L. J. Bouwen, Adriaan B. Houtsmuller, Clemens M.F. Dirven, Zhenyu Gao, Sara Hijazi, Steven A. Kushner

The paper identifies a minimum threshold for myelination of pyramidal neurons' axons in human and mouse neocortex based on axonal calibre and interbranch distance.

bioRxiv · Sep 9, 2023 · PreprintNeuroscience

Multi-color dSTORM microscopy in Hormad1-/- spermatocytes reveals alterations in meiotic recombination intermediates and synaptonemal complex structure

Lieke Koornneef, Johan A. Slotman, Esther Sleddens–Linkels, Wiggert A. van Cappellen, Marco Barchi, Attila Tóth, Joost H. Gribnau, Adriaan B. Houtsmuller, Willy M. Baarends

This study uses multi-color dSTORM microscopy to analyze RAD51 and DMC1 organization at meiotic DSBs in Hormad1-/- mice, revealing altered recombinase configurations and synaptonemal complex structure.

PLoS Genetics · Jul 20, 2022Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

RNA polymerase II is required for spatial chromatin reorganization following exit from mitosis

Shu Zhang, Nadine Übelmesser, Nataša Josipović, Giada Forte, Johan A. Slotman, Michael Chiang, Henrike Johanna Gothe, Eduardo Gade Gusmao, Christian Becker, Janine Altmüller, Adriaan B. Houtsmuller, Vassilis Roukos, Kerstin S. Wendt, Davide Marenduzzo, Argyris Papantonis

The paper shows RNA polymerase II is necessary for spatial chromatin reorganization after mitosis, as demonstrated by Hi-C and in silico modeling.

Science Advances · Oct 22, 2021Peer-reviewedGenomics

Structure-function relation of the developing calyx of Held synapse in vivo

Martijn C. Sierksma, Johan A. Slotman, Adriaan B. Houtsmuller, J. Gerard G. Borst

The paper investigates the development of the calyx of Held synapse in vivo, finding that only one synaptic input strengthens to calyceal levels, correlating with the largest VGluT cluster, and not indicating a structure-function mismatch.

The Journal of Physiology · Jul 23, 2020Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Super-resolution imaging of RAD51 and DMC1 in DNA repair foci reveals dynamic distribution patterns in meiotic prophase

Johan A. Slotman, Maarten W. Paul, Fabrizia Carofiglio, H. Martijn de Gruiter, Tessa Vergroesen, Lieke Koornneef, Wiggert A. van Cappellen, Adriaan B. Houtsmuller, Willy M. Baarends

The paper uses super-resolution microscopy to analyze RAD51 and DMC1 distribution at meiotic DSB repair foci in mouse spermatocytes, revealing dynamic spatial configurations and their temporal changes.

PLoS Genetics · Jun 5, 2020Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology