Lab Members
Alex Ludwig (PhD, group leader)
I studied Biology in Muenster (Germany), with a major in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology. Having obtained my PhD from the University of Zurich (Switzerland) I joined the lab of Ben Nichols at the MRC-LMB in Cambridge, UK. After my postdoc with Ben, I moved to Singapore to join SBS as a Senior Research Fellow. I continued my work on the structure and assembly of the protein coat that shapes caveolae and established new research projects on the molecular and functional organisation of the epithelial cell polarity proteins. Since January 2019 I lead my independent research group at the School of Biological Sciences (SBS). The lab is located at the NTU Institute of Structural Biology (NISB).
Maryam Jameelah (MSc, Research Associate)
I attained my MSc from NTU. My MSc project focused on understanding the effects of Toll-like receptors on myocardial infarction recovery. I was then working in research labs at NCCS, GIS (A*STAR), and NUS for 7 years. Some of the projects that I have contributed to include the discovery of a trackable biomarker (chromosome 1q21.3 amplification) for breast cancer in Dr Yu Qiang’s lab. I joined the ALab in March 2019 to study the functions of the Homer scaffolding proteins in epithelial cells.
Barbara Huebner (PhD, postdoc)
I studied Biology at LMU in Munich, Germany, with a focus on cell biology. For my diploma and my PhD I worked with Thomas Cremer who passed on to me his fascination and passion for microscopy, the nucleus, and chromatin organization. In 2015 I came to Singapore to join Sara Sandin’s lab at SBS. Gaining insight into telomere ultrastructure in situ using correlative light and electron microscopy and electron tomography has been my main focus since. I changed over to the ALab in early 2020 where I continue my work on telomere and chromatin biology. I am excited to expand my knowledge in new EM sample preparation and imaging techniques including correlative cryo electron tomography and to apply them to current questions in the field.
Sujasha Ghosh (Research Fellow)
After completing my Master in Technology (Biotechnology) from the Indian Institute of Technology, I joined the Ludwig Lab for my PhD in August 2019. Having both my undergraduate and postgraduate research experiences in the field of cancer biology, gene regulation and epigenetics, the transition to the cell and structural biology domain was a new journey that I decided to embark upon. The goal of my PhD project was to understand how the Crumbs complex functions during epithelial tissue morphogenesis using MDCK 3D cell cultures. I graduated in autumn 2024 and am since working in the ALab as a Research Fellow.
Hana Maldivita Tambrin (Research Fellow)
I obtained my BSc in Biochemistry (Biology) from Purdue University. I started my PhD journey in the ALab to pursue my curiosity in cell biology. The goal of my PhD project was to define the functions and molecular interactions of a novel Cdc42/Rac GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) called Arhgap12, which we identified at epithelial tight junctions. I graduated in summer 2024 and am since working in the ALab as a Research Fellow.
Liu Yun (PhD student)
I obtained my BSc (Biotechnology) at the Northwestern Polytechnical University, China. Then through the joint program with Vrije Universiteit Brussel, I studied Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences for two years and obtained my MSc in Belgium. Structural biology piqued my interest when I was doing my Master thesis project, in which I determined the 3D structure of a hyperactive mutant of transposase TnpA using single-particle cryo-EM. I then worked as a research assistant at the South China University of Technology for six months. Following my interest in the structural organization of cell membranes, I started my PhD journey in the ALab in August 2021. The aim of my PhD project is to study the organisation and regulation of the tight junction-associated actin cytoskeleton using biochemical, biophysical, and structural approaches, including correlative light and electron cryo-microscopy (cryoCLEM). In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, cooking, and watching movies.
Yuhong Chen (PhD student)
I joined the ALab in August 2022, after obtaining my BSc Biochemistry degree from the University College London (UCL). Based on my past research on acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) characterization and treatment, I developed a huge interest in cell biology and imaging. The aim of my PhD project here is to define and characterize the in vivo functions of apical polarity proteins during lumengenesis in zebrafish model systems. I look forward to this project and to learning how to operate all those fancy instruments and master various imaging techniques that produce amazing images.
Former Lab Members
Eleanor Martin (PhD, postdoc)
Ellie joined the ALab in March 2020 and sadly left us and Singapore in June 2024. In her project Ellie utilised a combination of time-resolved proximity proteomics and correlative light and electron microscopy to address the spatio-temporal assembly of epithelial tight junctions. We miss Ellie and wish her all the best for the future.
Mei Ling Wee (BSc, Project Officer)
Mei Ling sadly left us in January 2021. Mei Ling and her skills and experience in TEM, SEM, and 3D electron tomography are sorely missed. We know she’s doing great and we are very happy for her.
Benedict Tan (PhD)
Ben carried out his PhD work in the ALab. He established workflows for quantitative proximity proteomics in MDCK cells and used this approach to resolve the spatial and molecular organisation of the epithelial apical-lateral border (Tan et al., 2020). This project was a close collaboration between the ALab and the lab of Walter Hunziker at IMCB, A*STAR. Ben graduated in April 2020 and has since pursued a career outside academia. We miss him dearly and are very happy for him!