Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
@chen3dem.bsky.social
cyoEM, cell singling across membranes
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
This one is a bit of a departure from the usual and definitely a work in progress!
We found that by using ab initio reconstruction at very high res, in very small steps, we could crack some small structures that had eluded us - e.g. 39kDa iPKAc (EMPIAR-10252), below.
Read on for details... 1/x
We found that by using ab initio reconstruction at very high res, in very small steps, we could crack some small structures that had eluded us - e.g. 39kDa iPKAc (EMPIAR-10252), below.
Read on for details... 1/x
September 13, 2025 at 12:05 AM
This one is a bit of a departure from the usual and definitely a work in progress!
We found that by using ab initio reconstruction at very high res, in very small steps, we could crack some small structures that had eluded us - e.g. 39kDa iPKAc (EMPIAR-10252), below.
Read on for details... 1/x
We found that by using ab initio reconstruction at very high res, in very small steps, we could crack some small structures that had eluded us - e.g. 39kDa iPKAc (EMPIAR-10252), below.
Read on for details... 1/x
Finally in @nature.com 🎉
We uncovered step-wise mTORC1 activation on membrane: RAG–Ragulator recruits, RHEB pushes closer, and direct membrane contacts by RAPTOR + mTOR trigger full kinase activity.👉 The membrane is not just a platform — it’s part of the mechanism.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We uncovered step-wise mTORC1 activation on membrane: RAG–Ragulator recruits, RHEB pushes closer, and direct membrane contacts by RAPTOR + mTOR trigger full kinase activity.👉 The membrane is not just a platform — it’s part of the mechanism.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Structural basis for mTORC1 activation on the lysosomal membrane - Nature
Cryo-electron microscopy was used to study human mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation on lysosomal membranes, showing progressive recruitment by RAG–Ragulator, RHEB and R...
www.nature.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Finally in @nature.com 🎉
We uncovered step-wise mTORC1 activation on membrane: RAG–Ragulator recruits, RHEB pushes closer, and direct membrane contacts by RAPTOR + mTOR trigger full kinase activity.👉 The membrane is not just a platform — it’s part of the mechanism.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We uncovered step-wise mTORC1 activation on membrane: RAG–Ragulator recruits, RHEB pushes closer, and direct membrane contacts by RAPTOR + mTOR trigger full kinase activity.👉 The membrane is not just a platform — it’s part of the mechanism.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Extremely excited to share that I’m joining Columbia University @columbiauniversity.bsky.social as an Assistant Professor!
We will explore how the mobile genome works—how transposons shape us, our DNA and how they can be harnessed to build useful technologies. #NewPI #RNAsky #TEsky
thawanilab.org
We will explore how the mobile genome works—how transposons shape us, our DNA and how they can be harnessed to build useful technologies. #NewPI #RNAsky #TEsky
thawanilab.org
The Thawani Lab at Columbia University
The Thawani Lab at Columbia University describing their research on mobile genome, cryo-electron microscopy and genome engineering
thawanilab.org
August 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Extremely excited to share that I’m joining Columbia University @columbiauniversity.bsky.social as an Assistant Professor!
We will explore how the mobile genome works—how transposons shape us, our DNA and how they can be harnessed to build useful technologies. #NewPI #RNAsky #TEsky
thawanilab.org
We will explore how the mobile genome works—how transposons shape us, our DNA and how they can be harnessed to build useful technologies. #NewPI #RNAsky #TEsky
thawanilab.org
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Krista Freeman et al 𝘊𝘌𝘓𝘓
stunning atomic-level imaging (Cryo-EM, cryo-ET) reveals how 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐞 Bxb1 reshapes its tail tip to breach the mycobacterial cell wall and deliver DNA to the cytoplasm
can inform precise targeted phage therapies for TB and NTM infections
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
stunning atomic-level imaging (Cryo-EM, cryo-ET) reveals how 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐞 Bxb1 reshapes its tail tip to breach the mycobacterial cell wall and deliver DNA to the cytoplasm
can inform precise targeted phage therapies for TB and NTM infections
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
April 18, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Krista Freeman et al 𝘊𝘌𝘓𝘓
stunning atomic-level imaging (Cryo-EM, cryo-ET) reveals how 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐞 Bxb1 reshapes its tail tip to breach the mycobacterial cell wall and deliver DNA to the cytoplasm
can inform precise targeted phage therapies for TB and NTM infections
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
stunning atomic-level imaging (Cryo-EM, cryo-ET) reveals how 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐞 Bxb1 reshapes its tail tip to breach the mycobacterial cell wall and deliver DNA to the cytoplasm
can inform precise targeted phage therapies for TB and NTM infections
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
SO excited to share that a major part of the postdoctoral work in @robzonculab.bsky.social lab is now published: “Leucine aminopeptidase LyLAP enables lysosomal degradation of membrane proteins” www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Leucine aminopeptidase LyLAP enables lysosomal degradation of membrane proteins
Breakdown of every transmembrane protein trafficked to lysosomes requires proteolysis of their hydrophobic helical transmembrane domains. Combining lysosomal proteomics with functional genomic dataset...
www.science.org
March 27, 2025 at 7:45 PM
SO excited to share that a major part of the postdoctoral work in @robzonculab.bsky.social lab is now published: “Leucine aminopeptidase LyLAP enables lysosomal degradation of membrane proteins” www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
15 bookmark-worthy tools for researchers that cost you nothing and will save you time (& nerves) when researching, writing and publishing.
A thread. 🧵
A thread. 🧵
March 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM
15 bookmark-worthy tools for researchers that cost you nothing and will save you time (& nerves) when researching, writing and publishing.
A thread. 🧵
A thread. 🧵
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
I am very happy to share that my work on active deformations of lipid vesicles is finally out in Nature Physics. A nicer thread+movies coming soon, in the meantime:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Thx to Andreas, Hammad, Dmitry, Gerhard @laynefrechette.bsky.social and everybody else who contributed!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Thx to Andreas, Hammad, Dmitry, Gerhard @laynefrechette.bsky.social and everybody else who contributed!
March 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I am very happy to share that my work on active deformations of lipid vesicles is finally out in Nature Physics. A nicer thread+movies coming soon, in the meantime:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Thx to Andreas, Hammad, Dmitry, Gerhard @laynefrechette.bsky.social and everybody else who contributed!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Thx to Andreas, Hammad, Dmitry, Gerhard @laynefrechette.bsky.social and everybody else who contributed!
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
There are days in life that shake you.
I’m shattered 💔 to share that I just found out that the US Government terminated my 2024 NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (~$2 million), threatening my long-promised assistant professor job at Columbia University
& academic career... 1/🧵
I’m shattered 💔 to share that I just found out that the US Government terminated my 2024 NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (~$2 million), threatening my long-promised assistant professor job at Columbia University
& academic career... 1/🧵
March 18, 2025 at 11:27 PM
There are days in life that shake you.
I’m shattered 💔 to share that I just found out that the US Government terminated my 2024 NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (~$2 million), threatening my long-promised assistant professor job at Columbia University
& academic career... 1/🧵
I’m shattered 💔 to share that I just found out that the US Government terminated my 2024 NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (~$2 million), threatening my long-promised assistant professor job at Columbia University
& academic career... 1/🧵
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Lol this sign
"Do not bring food into the library
Food residue will attract mice
Mice will acquire knowledge in the library
Get into university
Then replace you"
😂
"Do not bring food into the library
Food residue will attract mice
Mice will acquire knowledge in the library
Get into university
Then replace you"
😂
February 18, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Lol this sign
"Do not bring food into the library
Food residue will attract mice
Mice will acquire knowledge in the library
Get into university
Then replace you"
😂
"Do not bring food into the library
Food residue will attract mice
Mice will acquire knowledge in the library
Get into university
Then replace you"
😂
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Excited to see work led by @autophazeke.bsky.social, @minghaochen.bsky.social, Thanh Nguyen, and Ainara Claveras out in @science.org today, the culmination of a 15-year project to understand structurally how the synthesis of the critical lipid of autophagy, PI3P, is regulated. tinyurl.com/ywvjh8u4
February 6, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Excited to see work led by @autophazeke.bsky.social, @minghaochen.bsky.social, Thanh Nguyen, and Ainara Claveras out in @science.org today, the culmination of a 15-year project to understand structurally how the synthesis of the critical lipid of autophagy, PI3P, is regulated. tinyurl.com/ywvjh8u4
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Our new FASEBJ paper. We looked into mTOR Ser1261 phosphorylation in human and mouse muscle, proposed by Diane Fingar's lab to be first an Akt and then AMPK site regulating mTORC1 and 2 activity. Clearly AMPK site but impact on mTORC unclear in our hands faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/...
mTOR Ser1261 is an AMPK‐dependent phosphosite in mouse and human skeletal muscle not required for mTORC2 activity
mTOR Ser1261 is an AMPK-dependent phosphosite in human and mouse skeletal muscle that responds to exercise but not insulin, plays an unclear role in mTORC1 regulation, and is not required for mTORC2 ....
faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Our new FASEBJ paper. We looked into mTOR Ser1261 phosphorylation in human and mouse muscle, proposed by Diane Fingar's lab to be first an Akt and then AMPK site regulating mTORC1 and 2 activity. Clearly AMPK site but impact on mTORC unclear in our hands faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/...
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Mitochondria consist of networks of cylindrical tubes, right? Not necessarily! - in our new preprint, @gavsturm.bsky.social investigates how mitochondria transiently adopt a beads-on-a-string morphology
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
December 23, 2024 at 5:49 PM
Mitochondria consist of networks of cylindrical tubes, right? Not necessarily! - in our new preprint, @gavsturm.bsky.social investigates how mitochondria transiently adopt a beads-on-a-string morphology
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Exciting news! #MembraneTrafficking online seminars with @felixmendu.bsky.social @franbottanelli.bsky.social and me are back!
Check the spectacular Jan-April 2025 lineup.
Details (Zoom links, calendar invites) on the mailing list, Slack group & website: felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
Check the spectacular Jan-April 2025 lineup.
Details (Zoom links, calendar invites) on the mailing list, Slack group & website: felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
January 15, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Exciting news! #MembraneTrafficking online seminars with @felixmendu.bsky.social @franbottanelli.bsky.social and me are back!
Check the spectacular Jan-April 2025 lineup.
Details (Zoom links, calendar invites) on the mailing list, Slack group & website: felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
Check the spectacular Jan-April 2025 lineup.
Details (Zoom links, calendar invites) on the mailing list, Slack group & website: felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Scientific Director, Cal-Cryo. We are looking for an outstanding microscopist to run our cryo-EM facility (two Krioses and an Arctica), increase training, engagement, and collaboration on campus, expand our user base, and join our community of cutting edge cryo-EM researchers. tinyurl.com/ykasna3p
Scientific Director, Cal-Cryo@QB3, UC Berkeley’s Cryo-EM Facility
University of California, Berkeley is hiring. Apply now!
tinyurl.com
January 15, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Scientific Director, Cal-Cryo. We are looking for an outstanding microscopist to run our cryo-EM facility (two Krioses and an Arctica), increase training, engagement, and collaboration on campus, expand our user base, and join our community of cutting edge cryo-EM researchers. tinyurl.com/ykasna3p
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Unsolicited writing advice, no #7262:
When you're editing a project, try changing the font before you start. It tricks your brain into seeing your words anew, making it easier to spot typos or areas that might need work.
When you're editing a project, try changing the font before you start. It tricks your brain into seeing your words anew, making it easier to spot typos or areas that might need work.
January 16, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Unsolicited writing advice, no #7262:
When you're editing a project, try changing the font before you start. It tricks your brain into seeing your words anew, making it easier to spot typos or areas that might need work.
When you're editing a project, try changing the font before you start. It tricks your brain into seeing your words anew, making it easier to spot typos or areas that might need work.
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Wow. This is the first neat paper of 2025! From a baby plate of HEK cells and a uL column
January 15, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Wow. This is the first neat paper of 2025! From a baby plate of HEK cells and a uL column
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
🚨 Out now! @marcoyannic.bsky.social and his former colleagues at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub have unveiled a new study in Cell. The team led by Manuel Leonetti mapped the subcellular distribution of thousands of proteins to create an atlas of the human proteome ➡️ tinyurl.com/ypn65duk
@univie.ac.at
@univie.ac.at
January 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
🚨 Out now! @marcoyannic.bsky.social and his former colleagues at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub have unveiled a new study in Cell. The team led by Manuel Leonetti mapped the subcellular distribution of thousands of proteins to create an atlas of the human proteome ➡️ tinyurl.com/ypn65duk
@univie.ac.at
@univie.ac.at
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
How eating fiber->short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites->anti-cancer effects
nature.com/articles/s42...
nature.com/articles/s42...
nature.com/articles/s42...
nature.com/articles/s42...
January 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM
How eating fiber->short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites->anti-cancer effects
nature.com/articles/s42...
nature.com/articles/s42...
nature.com/articles/s42...
nature.com/articles/s42...
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
A unique postdoc position in academic drug discovery is open in the Hurley lab. We have a biochemistry-driven Parkinson’s disease drug discovery project funded and supported by SPARK-NS, which has an innovative model that turbocharges drug discovery in academic labs.
(thread continues)
(thread continues)
January 9, 2025 at 2:58 AM
A unique postdoc position in academic drug discovery is open in the Hurley lab. We have a biochemistry-driven Parkinson’s disease drug discovery project funded and supported by SPARK-NS, which has an innovative model that turbocharges drug discovery in academic labs.
(thread continues)
(thread continues)
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Every year, I give my lab (and myself) a "mini-sabbatical" to pursue creative endeavors outside of regular work/studies.
So I spent some time reflecting on my thoughts on #AI + the role of professors in this AI transformation via a short film 📽️: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MPs...
#AcademicSky
So I spent some time reflecting on my thoughts on #AI + the role of professors in this AI transformation via a short film 📽️: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MPs...
#AcademicSky
in the midst of an AI transformation | a short film
YouTube video by Prof. Jean Fan
www.youtube.com
December 27, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Every year, I give my lab (and myself) a "mini-sabbatical" to pursue creative endeavors outside of regular work/studies.
So I spent some time reflecting on my thoughts on #AI + the role of professors in this AI transformation via a short film 📽️: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MPs...
#AcademicSky
So I spent some time reflecting on my thoughts on #AI + the role of professors in this AI transformation via a short film 📽️: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MPs...
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Instead of listing my publications, as the year draws to an end, I want to shine the spotlight on the commonplace assumption that productivity must always increase. Good research is disruptive and thinking time is central to high quality scholarship and necessary for disruptive research.
December 20, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Instead of listing my publications, as the year draws to an end, I want to shine the spotlight on the commonplace assumption that productivity must always increase. Good research is disruptive and thinking time is central to high quality scholarship and necessary for disruptive research.
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
Check out the latest Discover ASAP episode with @doroteaartscience.bsky.social, a member of CRN Team Hurley, who is making science beautiful and accessible. From mitophagy to #PD research, her work shows how #OpenScience thrives with clear, creative communication.
Learn more 🖼️ 🎥: bit.ly/3VK6Dt4
Learn more 🖼️ 🎥: bit.ly/3VK6Dt4
December 19, 2024 at 5:27 PM
Check out the latest Discover ASAP episode with @doroteaartscience.bsky.social, a member of CRN Team Hurley, who is making science beautiful and accessible. From mitophagy to #PD research, her work shows how #OpenScience thrives with clear, creative communication.
Learn more 🖼️ 🎥: bit.ly/3VK6Dt4
Learn more 🖼️ 🎥: bit.ly/3VK6Dt4
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
"Till you have sequence confirmation, you are not cloning but clowning." 🧬⭕🤡
- Lab Saying.
#PILife #AlwaysBeCloning
- Lab Saying.
#PILife #AlwaysBeCloning
December 18, 2024 at 7:33 PM
"Till you have sequence confirmation, you are not cloning but clowning." 🧬⭕🤡
- Lab Saying.
#PILife #AlwaysBeCloning
- Lab Saying.
#PILife #AlwaysBeCloning
Reposted by Zhicheng Cui | 崔志成
1/ A new series of #CryoSPARC tutorial videos from this year’s S2C2 #cryoEM image processing workshop are now online! These videos will be interesting to all users and especially those newer to #cryoEM.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
2024 S2C2 Single-Particle Cryo-EM Image Processing Workshop - YouTube
This playlist contains six recordings covering single particle cryo-EM data processing in CryoSPARC from the 2024 Single-Particle Cryo-EM Image Processing Wo...
www.youtube.com
December 13, 2024 at 6:56 PM
1/ A new series of #CryoSPARC tutorial videos from this year’s S2C2 #cryoEM image processing workshop are now online! These videos will be interesting to all users and especially those newer to #cryoEM.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...