Molecular Condensation for Cell Signaling in Space and Time.

The spatiotemporal regulation of cellular signaling through molecular condensation is an exciting and rapidly emerging field of research. While past studies have laid a solid foundation in understanding signaling transduction—uncovering key components and hierarchical networks—there remains a critical gap in knowledge about how functional assemblies with specific material properties control biochemical reactions during signaling processes. At our laboratory, we tackle these challenges by integrating interdisciplinary approaches to study condensation-mediated cytoskeleton remodeling and signal transduction across several biological systems in fungi and plants.

1. Macromolecular Condensation in Actin Remodeling and Fungal Growth

We explore how macromolecular condensation regulates actin remodeling in diverse cellular conditions. Our work also investigates the assembly of polarisome complexes, which drive polarized fungal growth and facilitate host infection.

2. Nanodomain Formation in Plant Immune Signaling

We study the formation of nanodomains in plants, driven by lipid bilayer and associated signaling proteins, at plant-microbe interfaces. Our research focuses on how protein and lipid phase separation act as immune signaling hubs on the plasma membrane, triggered by pathogen recognition. Additionally, we are developing machine learning algorithms to predict and design molecular condensates, translating fundamental insights into innovative agri-technologies for sustainable agriculture.

3. Mechanoregulation of Condensation in Signaling

Our research examines how plant mechanobiology influences the assembly and condensation of biomolecules at the cell surface. We investigate how the cell wall-plasma membrane-actin cytoskeleton continuum regulates the biocatalysis of signaling hubs during plant-microbe interactions by tuning their physicochemical properties.