Lukasz Bugaj
@bugajlab.bsky.social
Asst. Professor @ Penn Bioengineering. Cell Signaling, optogenetics, synthetic biology, cancer signaling, regenerative medicine, bio-tinkering. www.bugajlab.com
Pinned
🚨Preprint 2/2: Several studies implicate condensates in RTK fusion onco-signaling. So we were surprised to find that condensates are entirely dispensable😮(!). A study from proteins to mice, by dynamic duo @davidgonzmar.bsky.social and @trmumford.bsky.social.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
👇
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
Defending PhD student, looking over their thesis: “If I knew then what I know now, I could’ve done all of this in like 9 months.”
A thread about my favorite pioneering cave explorers and why I don’t think AI will ever “solve” biology.
A thread about my favorite pioneering cave explorers and why I don’t think AI will ever “solve” biology.
January 11, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Defending PhD student, looking over their thesis: “If I knew then what I know now, I could’ve done all of this in like 9 months.”
A thread about my favorite pioneering cave explorers and why I don’t think AI will ever “solve” biology.
A thread about my favorite pioneering cave explorers and why I don’t think AI will ever “solve” biology.
Speaker lineup posted for FASEB: Dynamics and Encoding in Cell Signaling (June 2026)! Live-cell imaging, biosensors, signal dynamics, and quant. modeling/analysis, across the biosciences.
Stellar lineup, Keynotes from Tobias Meyer and Jin Zhang
Join us in Nashville!
tinyurl.com/bd9wmyve
Stellar lineup, Keynotes from Tobias Meyer and Jin Zhang
Join us in Nashville!
tinyurl.com/bd9wmyve
January 12, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Speaker lineup posted for FASEB: Dynamics and Encoding in Cell Signaling (June 2026)! Live-cell imaging, biosensors, signal dynamics, and quant. modeling/analysis, across the biosciences.
Stellar lineup, Keynotes from Tobias Meyer and Jin Zhang
Join us in Nashville!
tinyurl.com/bd9wmyve
Stellar lineup, Keynotes from Tobias Meyer and Jin Zhang
Join us in Nashville!
tinyurl.com/bd9wmyve
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
lol real love
December 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
lol real love
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
(1/n) What if you never had to make your bed? What if your laundry could fold itself? Folding is everywhere around us - but did you know that folding flat sheets are at the ❤️ of diversity of shapes in the animal world - since 500 million years ago. Our latest work: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nudC...
Self-folding laundry
YouTube video by PrakashLab
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:47 AM
(1/n) What if you never had to make your bed? What if your laundry could fold itself? Folding is everywhere around us - but did you know that folding flat sheets are at the ❤️ of diversity of shapes in the animal world - since 500 million years ago. Our latest work: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nudC...
🚨Preprint 2/2: Several studies implicate condensates in RTK fusion onco-signaling. So we were surprised to find that condensates are entirely dispensable😮(!). A study from proteins to mice, by dynamic duo @davidgonzmar.bsky.social and @trmumford.bsky.social.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
👇
December 17, 2025 at 3:10 PM
🚨Preprint 2/2: Several studies implicate condensates in RTK fusion onco-signaling. So we were surprised to find that condensates are entirely dispensable😮(!). A study from proteins to mice, by dynamic duo @davidgonzmar.bsky.social and @trmumford.bsky.social.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
👇
🚨New preprint(1/2)! We show that RTK fusion oncoproteins broadly suppress EGFR signaling. How? Sequestration of adapters as the shared principle.
Led by superb PhD student Carol Gao.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Implications for drug tolerance/resistance, and includes one big surprise🫧.👇
Led by superb PhD student Carol Gao.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Implications for drug tolerance/resistance, and includes one big surprise🫧.👇
December 16, 2025 at 12:05 PM
🚨New preprint(1/2)! We show that RTK fusion oncoproteins broadly suppress EGFR signaling. How? Sequestration of adapters as the shared principle.
Led by superb PhD student Carol Gao.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Implications for drug tolerance/resistance, and includes one big surprise🫧.👇
Led by superb PhD student Carol Gao.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Implications for drug tolerance/resistance, and includes one big surprise🫧.👇
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
Researcher back to at least 1912 have noticed that nephrons, the blood-filtering units of the kidney, tend to be born just as the nearest epithelial tubule begins to branch. This tree of tubes is called the 'ureteric bud epithelium' - the future urinary collecting system.
December 13, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Researcher back to at least 1912 have noticed that nephrons, the blood-filtering units of the kidney, tend to be born just as the nearest epithelial tubule begins to branch. This tree of tubes is called the 'ureteric bud epithelium' - the future urinary collecting system.
🤩🤯 work by @hugheslabpenn.bsky.social: cyclic mechanics entrain proper dev’t timing/patterning in the kidney. Super innovative concepts and approach, congrats all!!
*New preprint alert* uncovering a mechanical pacemaker that synchronizes nephron formation with branching of the kidney's epithelial tubule tree. Read below to learn about this twisty journey lead by Sam Grindel and Sachin Davis in the lab. [Movie by Nils Lindstrom]
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
December 14, 2025 at 1:27 PM
🤩🤯 work by @hugheslabpenn.bsky.social: cyclic mechanics entrain proper dev’t timing/patterning in the kidney. Super innovative concepts and approach, congrats all!!
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
Our lab neighbors @bugajlab.bsky.social are presenting some cool cell signaling science today and tomorrow at #CellBio2025!
#Cellbio2025 come see the latest from the lab, including on opto/thermogenetics, condensates, RTK fusions, stress granules, biosensors of clustering. Talks and posters today and tomorrow!
December 8, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Our lab neighbors @bugajlab.bsky.social are presenting some cool cell signaling science today and tomorrow at #CellBio2025!
#Cellbio2025 come see the latest from the lab, including on opto/thermogenetics, condensates, RTK fusions, stress granules, biosensors of clustering. Talks and posters today and tomorrow!
December 8, 2025 at 12:12 PM
#Cellbio2025 come see the latest from the lab, including on opto/thermogenetics, condensates, RTK fusions, stress granules, biosensors of clustering. Talks and posters today and tomorrow!
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
#cellbio2025 please stop by my talk (Mon 4:35 evolution) and poster (Mon 12:45 #B479 optogenetics) tmr!
Title: Intraprotein domain competition dictates pulsatile response of photoreceptors shaped by temperature and evolution.
BcLOV4 as a model.
I’m also looking for postdoc opportunities!
Title: Intraprotein domain competition dictates pulsatile response of photoreceptors shaped by temperature and evolution.
BcLOV4 as a model.
I’m also looking for postdoc opportunities!
December 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM
#cellbio2025 please stop by my talk (Mon 4:35 evolution) and poster (Mon 12:45 #B479 optogenetics) tmr!
Title: Intraprotein domain competition dictates pulsatile response of photoreceptors shaped by temperature and evolution.
BcLOV4 as a model.
I’m also looking for postdoc opportunities!
Title: Intraprotein domain competition dictates pulsatile response of photoreceptors shaped by temperature and evolution.
BcLOV4 as a model.
I’m also looking for postdoc opportunities!
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
if you are attending #CellBio2025 please check out the posters from our lab @hugheslabpenn.bsky.social. The lab will have a great showing this year featuring my talented colleagues @lsprahl.bsky.social @danielalber.bsky.social and many others!
December 7, 2025 at 4:42 PM
if you are attending #CellBio2025 please check out the posters from our lab @hugheslabpenn.bsky.social. The lab will have a great showing this year featuring my talented colleagues @lsprahl.bsky.social @danielalber.bsky.social and many others!
#CellBio2025 come check out the workshop on applying optogenetic tools in cell biology! Today (Sunday) at 5:30p in Rm 121.
Note that this session does *not* appear in the app for some reason
Note that this session does *not* appear in the app for some reason
December 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
#CellBio2025 come check out the workshop on applying optogenetic tools in cell biology! Today (Sunday) at 5:30p in Rm 121.
Note that this session does *not* appear in the app for some reason
Note that this session does *not* appear in the app for some reason
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
My lab website is now live! My lab feels a bit real now 🥺. Website: www.jasonzhanglab.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:54 AM
My lab website is now live! My lab feels a bit real now 🥺. Website: www.jasonzhanglab.com
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
Join us at the 2nd Workshop on Biological Control Systems by @bioctrl.bsky.social . On Nov 19 at 3 PM CET, Dr. Schmidt and Dr. Gebel will present Ningaloo’s work on optogenetic control in biomanufacturing and its role in cyber-bioproduction.
📝Register: lnkd.in/enrHdv_m
#optogenetics #synbiology
📝Register: lnkd.in/enrHdv_m
#optogenetics #synbiology
November 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Join us at the 2nd Workshop on Biological Control Systems by @bioctrl.bsky.social . On Nov 19 at 3 PM CET, Dr. Schmidt and Dr. Gebel will present Ningaloo’s work on optogenetic control in biomanufacturing and its role in cyber-bioproduction.
📝Register: lnkd.in/enrHdv_m
#optogenetics #synbiology
📝Register: lnkd.in/enrHdv_m
#optogenetics #synbiology
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
BE Seminar Series this Thurs w Lukasz Bugaj University of Pennsylvania “Using Light, Temperature, and Protein Condensation to Understand and Control Cells”
https://be.mit.edu/our-community/seminars/
https://be.mit.edu/our-community/seminars/
November 4, 2025 at 3:22 PM
BE Seminar Series this Thurs w Lukasz Bugaj University of Pennsylvania “Using Light, Temperature, and Protein Condensation to Understand and Control Cells”
https://be.mit.edu/our-community/seminars/
https://be.mit.edu/our-community/seminars/
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
Absolutely outrageous interference in NIH extramural funding by OMB dropping this evening. Damaging to our nation’s world leadership, innovation, and training today and for years in the future. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Trump Administration Puts New Chokehold on Billions in Health-Research Funding
The National Institutes of Health can’t award grants to outside researchers under a new White House restriction.
www.wsj.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Absolutely outrageous interference in NIH extramural funding by OMB dropping this evening. Damaging to our nation’s world leadership, innovation, and training today and for years in the future. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
Don’t miss this great opportunity for a wonderful workshop run by NCI to discuss genetic tools and omics to better understand cancer. Join us to learn and contribute to unraveling the complexities of cancer. Let’s do this together! Details 👇🏼
Last day to apply!
Explore how synthetic & systems biology can advance our understanding of cancer initiation at NCI’s virtual S³ Innovation Lab!
Synthetic biologists particularly encouraged to apply!
Application deadline now June 5:
apply.knowinnovation.com/s3-cancer-in...
Synthetic biologists particularly encouraged to apply!
Application deadline now June 5:
apply.knowinnovation.com/s3-cancer-in...
June 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Don’t miss this great opportunity for a wonderful workshop run by NCI to discuss genetic tools and omics to better understand cancer. Join us to learn and contribute to unraveling the complexities of cancer. Let’s do this together! Details 👇🏼
Last day to apply!
Explore how synthetic & systems biology can advance our understanding of cancer initiation at NCI’s virtual S³ Innovation Lab!
Synthetic biologists particularly encouraged to apply!
Application deadline now June 5:
apply.knowinnovation.com/s3-cancer-in...
Synthetic biologists particularly encouraged to apply!
Application deadline now June 5:
apply.knowinnovation.com/s3-cancer-in...
s3-cancer-initiation
apply.knowinnovation.com
June 5, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Last day to apply!
Explore how synthetic & systems biology can advance our understanding of cancer initiation at NCI’s virtual S³ Innovation Lab!
Synthetic biologists particularly encouraged to apply!
Application deadline now June 5:
apply.knowinnovation.com/s3-cancer-in...
Synthetic biologists particularly encouraged to apply!
Application deadline now June 5:
apply.knowinnovation.com/s3-cancer-in...
s3-cancer-initiation
apply.knowinnovation.com
May 29, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Explore how synthetic & systems biology can advance our understanding of cancer initiation at NCI’s virtual S³ Innovation Lab!
Synthetic biologists particularly encouraged to apply!
Application deadline now June 5:
apply.knowinnovation.com/s3-cancer-in...
Synthetic biologists particularly encouraged to apply!
Application deadline now June 5:
apply.knowinnovation.com/s3-cancer-in...
Final #SynSysBio4SpatialCancerResearch workshop (#3) on Tuesday! Drug response and resistance
Featuring: Gordon Mills, Kathryn Miller-Jensen, Matt Thomson, Brian Brown, Stacey Finley, Andriy Marusyk, Pulin Li, Karmella Haynes, Arjun Raj, Justin Prichard
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
Featuring: Gordon Mills, Kathryn Miller-Jensen, Matt Thomson, Brian Brown, Stacey Finley, Andriy Marusyk, Pulin Li, Karmella Haynes, Arjun Raj, Justin Prichard
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
Are you interested in synthetic and systems biology approaches to study #spatiotemporal processes in cancer? Join NCI for virtual workshops on May 13, 15, & 20 (next week!) from 12:00–4:30 PM ET:
registration: events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
#SynSysBio4SpatialCancerResearch
registration: events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
#SynSysBio4SpatialCancerResearch
May 19, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Final #SynSysBio4SpatialCancerResearch workshop (#3) on Tuesday! Drug response and resistance
Featuring: Gordon Mills, Kathryn Miller-Jensen, Matt Thomson, Brian Brown, Stacey Finley, Andriy Marusyk, Pulin Li, Karmella Haynes, Arjun Raj, Justin Prichard
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
Featuring: Gordon Mills, Kathryn Miller-Jensen, Matt Thomson, Brian Brown, Stacey Finley, Andriy Marusyk, Pulin Li, Karmella Haynes, Arjun Raj, Justin Prichard
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
Join us Thursday (tomorrow!) for session 2: Tumor-Immune Interactions.
Including: Thea Tlsty, Karin Pelka, Evanthia Roussos Torres, Rogelio Hernandez-Lopez, Elizabeth Wayne, Jose Reyes, Xiaojing Gao, Tullia Bruno, Lucas Pelkmans, Josh Leonard
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
Including: Thea Tlsty, Karin Pelka, Evanthia Roussos Torres, Rogelio Hernandez-Lopez, Elizabeth Wayne, Jose Reyes, Xiaojing Gao, Tullia Bruno, Lucas Pelkmans, Josh Leonard
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
May 14, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Join us Thursday (tomorrow!) for session 2: Tumor-Immune Interactions.
Including: Thea Tlsty, Karin Pelka, Evanthia Roussos Torres, Rogelio Hernandez-Lopez, Elizabeth Wayne, Jose Reyes, Xiaojing Gao, Tullia Bruno, Lucas Pelkmans, Josh Leonard
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
Including: Thea Tlsty, Karin Pelka, Evanthia Roussos Torres, Rogelio Hernandez-Lopez, Elizabeth Wayne, Jose Reyes, Xiaojing Gao, Tullia Bruno, Lucas Pelkmans, Josh Leonard
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
Yesterday, the NIH R35 “Outstanding Investigator” grant to fund scientists in my lab studying antibiotic resistance was terminated for reasons not related to the content of the science, or any actions taken by me or members of my lab
May 13, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Yesterday, the NIH R35 “Outstanding Investigator” grant to fund scientists in my lab studying antibiotic resistance was terminated for reasons not related to the content of the science, or any actions taken by me or members of my lab
Reposted by Lukasz Bugaj
“Maybe if people see [images from my research], they will understand why I want to get back to work.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...
Opinion | The Science I Would Be Doing if I Weren’t in ICE Detention
www.nytimes.com
May 13, 2025 at 10:50 AM
“Maybe if people see [images from my research], they will understand why I want to get back to work.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...
First session *tomorrow*, on Tumor Initiation.
Speakers: Lau, Dumitrascu, Snyder, Schutt Ibsen, Cukierman, Burdziak, Stevens, Bugaj, Lander, Khalil
Join us for this interactive event!
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
#SynSysBio4SpatialCancerResearch
Speakers: Lau, Dumitrascu, Snyder, Schutt Ibsen, Cukierman, Burdziak, Stevens, Bugaj, Lander, Khalil
Join us for this interactive event!
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
#SynSysBio4SpatialCancerResearch
May 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
First session *tomorrow*, on Tumor Initiation.
Speakers: Lau, Dumitrascu, Snyder, Schutt Ibsen, Cukierman, Burdziak, Stevens, Bugaj, Lander, Khalil
Join us for this interactive event!
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
#SynSysBio4SpatialCancerResearch
Speakers: Lau, Dumitrascu, Snyder, Schutt Ibsen, Cukierman, Burdziak, Stevens, Bugaj, Lander, Khalil
Join us for this interactive event!
events.cancer.gov/nci/syntheti...
#SynSysBio4SpatialCancerResearch