Jared E. Toettcher

The regulatory logic of a dose-dependent developmental fate decision

The paper identifies the molecular mechanism by which low doses of ERK signaling induce specific developmental outcomes in Drosophila embryos.

Design and optimization of a kinase-controlled allosteric switch

The paper designs and optimizes a phosphorylation-controlled transcription factor switch that outperforms existing ERK-responsive biosensors in selectivity and sensitivity.

CD44 and Ezrin restrict EGF receptor mobility to generate a novel spatial arrangement of cytoskeletal signaling modules driving bleb-based migration

The paper investigates how CD44 and Ezrin restrict EGF receptor mobility to create a spatial signaling gradient that stabilizes bleb-based migration in non-adhesive environments.

A modular live-cell biosensor for extracellular protease activity

The paper introduces eNRGies, a modular biosensor for detecting extracellular protease activity in single cells with high spatiotemporal resolution.

Efficient Genome Editing with Chimeric Oligonucleotide-Directed Editing

This paper introduces CODEMax and CODEMax(exo+) genome editing systems that enable efficient and precise search-and-replace editing in human cells with reduced off-target effects.

Smart Microscopy: Current Implementations and a Roadmap for Interoperability

This paper reviews current smart microscopy implementations and proposes a framework for interoperability to improve collaboration and standardization in the field.

PyCLM: programming-free, closed-loop microscopy for real-time measurement, segmentation, and optogenetic stimulation

PyCLM enables real-time measurement, segmentation, and optogenetic stimulation of cells without programming, showcasing applications in tissue dynamics and cell behavior control.

In vivo measurements of receptor tyrosine kinase activity reveal feedback regulation of a developmental gradient

The paper uses pYtag biosensors to measure RTK activity in Drosophila, revealing feedback regulation that shapes developmental gradients.

Multimodal control of Cas13 activity through domain insertion at an allosteric hotspot

This paper develops OptoCas13d and ChemoCas13d variants of RfxCas13d that can be controlled by light or small molecules to modulate RNA cleavage with high spatial and temporal precision.

Large-scale control over collective cell migration using light-controlled epidermal growth factor receptors

This study uses light-controlled EGF receptors to precisely manipulate tissue movements in epithelial cells, showing light can drive millimeter-scale rearrangements.

Dynamics of an incoherent feedforward loop drive ERK-dependent pattern formation in the early Drosophila embryo

The paper investigates how ERK signaling and an incoherent feedforward loop regulate byn stripe formation in Drosophila embryos using optogenetics and live-cell biosensors.

Control of gastruloid patterning and morphogenesis by the Erk and Akt signaling pathways

This study investigates how Erk and Akt signaling pathways control gastruloid elongation by regulating cell proliferation and adhesion during axis formation.

Recording morphogen signals reveals origins of gastruloid symmetry breaking

The paper shows that Wnt signaling heterogeneity predicts cell position in gastruloids, revealing symmetry breaking through signaling and cell movement.

Optogenetic control of the Bicoid morphogen reveals fast and slow modes of gap gene regulation

The paper uses optogenetic control of Bicoid to study gap gene regulation dynamics in embryos, revealing both known and novel regulatory relationships.

A synthetic gene circuit for imaging-free detection of dynamic cell signaling

The paper introduces a synthetic gene circuit that detects dynamic cell signaling without requiring live-cell imaging, enabling the study of transient signaling events in fixed cells.

Optogenetic Amplification Circuits for Light-Induced Metabolic Control

The paper introduces OptoAMP circuits that amplify light-induced transcriptional responses in microbial metabolism, improving control over metabolic pathways in fermentations.

Engineering combinatorial and dynamic decoders using synthetic immediate-early genes

The paper constructs synthetic immediate-early genes (synIEGs) to study signal-decoding circuits, demonstrating their ability to implement complex regulation and respond to combined stimuli.

Optogenetic rescue of a developmental patterning mutant

The paper uses optogenetics to rescue a developmental mutant by applying light-based signaling patterns, revealing distinct developmental programs triggered by varying Erk doses.

Signaling dynamics control cell fate in the early Drosophila embryo

The paper shows that Erk signaling dose, not duration, determines cell fate in early Drosophila embryos through optogenetic control and genetic perturbations.

Protein phase separation provides long-term memory of transient spatial stimuli

The paper shows protein droplets retain spatial memory of transient stimuli, demonstrating this through computational models, optogenetic systems, and membrane signaling.