Chi-Min Ho
@cmholab.bsky.social
Structural Biologist • Biochemist • Parasitologist • Co-host of ThePlungePodcast theplunge.org • Assistant Professor @ Columbia • Cryo electron microscopy/tomography of malarial membrane protein complexes. #teamtomo #cryoET #cryoEM #malaria cmholab.org
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
🔬 Our first community-contributed image is here!
Stunning SEMs of two Trichomonas vaginalis parasites connected by cytonemes.
Want to share your parasite images? Visit parasitesrule.com to contribute!
📸 Salas et al., eLife 2023 doi:10.7554/eLife.86067 @eLife
Stunning SEMs of two Trichomonas vaginalis parasites connected by cytonemes.
Want to share your parasite images? Visit parasitesrule.com to contribute!
📸 Salas et al., eLife 2023 doi:10.7554/eLife.86067 @eLife
December 30, 2025 at 1:52 PM
🔬 Our first community-contributed image is here!
Stunning SEMs of two Trichomonas vaginalis parasites connected by cytonemes.
Want to share your parasite images? Visit parasitesrule.com to contribute!
📸 Salas et al., eLife 2023 doi:10.7554/eLife.86067 @eLife
Stunning SEMs of two Trichomonas vaginalis parasites connected by cytonemes.
Want to share your parasite images? Visit parasitesrule.com to contribute!
📸 Salas et al., eLife 2023 doi:10.7554/eLife.86067 @eLife
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Happy to share a new preprint exploring the unusual biochemistry of a "weirdly" diverged cytochrome c in malaria parasites that exemplifies a lineage common to many apicomplexan parasites. @uofubiochem.bsky.social @uuhsresearch.bsky.social @uofutahcihd.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
A Divergent Cytochrome c in Malaria Parasites with an Anomalously Low Redox Potential
Eukaryotic cytochrome (cyt) c is a highly conserved mitochondrial protein central to cellular respiration, featuring a covalently attached hexacoordinate heme whose redox potential is tuned by axial H...
www.biorxiv.org
December 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Happy to share a new preprint exploring the unusual biochemistry of a "weirdly" diverged cytochrome c in malaria parasites that exemplifies a lineage common to many apicomplexan parasites. @uofubiochem.bsky.social @uuhsresearch.bsky.social @uofutahcihd.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
It’s out! Using cryo-ET in Dicty cells, we take a fresh in situ look at vaults. Surprisingly, we uncover vaults associated with ER and NE membranes, and find that many vaults enclose ribosomes in defined orientations, opening new avenues to their cellular function! www.biorxiv.org/lookup/conte...
December 16, 2025 at 8:17 AM
It’s out! Using cryo-ET in Dicty cells, we take a fresh in situ look at vaults. Surprisingly, we uncover vaults associated with ER and NE membranes, and find that many vaults enclose ribosomes in defined orientations, opening new avenues to their cellular function! www.biorxiv.org/lookup/conte...
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Holy cow the Zhou lab at UCLA is cooking with Isonet 2 - www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Averaging-free direct visualization of ribosome translational state! #teamtomo #cryoet
Averaging-free direct visualization of ribosome translational state! #teamtomo #cryoet
December 12, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Holy cow the Zhou lab at UCLA is cooking with Isonet 2 - www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Averaging-free direct visualization of ribosome translational state! #teamtomo #cryoet
Averaging-free direct visualization of ribosome translational state! #teamtomo #cryoet
IsoNet2 determines cellular structures at submolecular resolution without averaging https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.09.693325v1
December 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
IsoNet2 determines cellular structures at submolecular resolution without averaging https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.09.693325v1
December 11, 2025 at 11:32 AM
IsoNet2 determines cellular structures at submolecular resolution without averaging https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.09.693325v1
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Ribosomal Architecture and rRNA Modification Landscape in the Tick-Borne Parasite Babesia divergens pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41293005/ #cryoem
November 27, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Ribosomal Architecture and rRNA Modification Landscape in the Tick-Borne Parasite Babesia divergens pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41293005/ #cryoem
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Check out our latest work on how collided ribosomes activate the MAP3K ZAK! 💫
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A fun collaboration with @beckmannlab.bsky.social @doubleshuang.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A fun collaboration with @beckmannlab.bsky.social @doubleshuang.bsky.social
ZAK activation at the collided ribosome - Nature
The kinase ZAK is activated at collided ribosomes to mediate the ribotoxic stress response.
www.nature.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Check out our latest work on how collided ribosomes activate the MAP3K ZAK! 💫
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A fun collaboration with @beckmannlab.bsky.social @doubleshuang.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A fun collaboration with @beckmannlab.bsky.social @doubleshuang.bsky.social
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Mechanism of Ribosome Stalling by the AMD1 C-terminal Tail Arrest Peptide https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.16.688537v1
November 17, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Mechanism of Ribosome Stalling by the AMD1 C-terminal Tail Arrest Peptide https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.16.688537v1
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
New work from Tahirov x Lim collaboration! @qixianghe.bsky.social from my lab contributed the cryo-EM structures for this work. We are excited to help explain how anti-HSV drugs work and to guide their future development.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
@unmc.bsky.social @uwbiochem.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
@unmc.bsky.social @uwbiochem.bsky.social
Structural basis of herpesvirus helicase-primase inhibition by pritelivir and amenamevir
Structural studies of HSV-1 helicase-primase revealed how pritelivir and amenamevir bind and block its helicase activity.
www.science.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:14 AM
New work from Tahirov x Lim collaboration! @qixianghe.bsky.social from my lab contributed the cryo-EM structures for this work. We are excited to help explain how anti-HSV drugs work and to guide their future development.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
@unmc.bsky.social @uwbiochem.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
@unmc.bsky.social @uwbiochem.bsky.social
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Seeing is believing-Plasmodium falciparum translation in action pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41202797/ #cryoem
November 8, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Seeing is believing-Plasmodium falciparum translation in action pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41202797/ #cryoem
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Excited to share our latest @nature.com: How does naloxone (Narcan) stop an opioid overdose? We determined the first GDP-bound μ-opioid receptor–G protein structures and found naloxone traps a novel "latent” state, preventing GDP release and G protein activation.💊🧪 🧵👇 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 5, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Excited to share our latest @nature.com: How does naloxone (Narcan) stop an opioid overdose? We determined the first GDP-bound μ-opioid receptor–G protein structures and found naloxone traps a novel "latent” state, preventing GDP release and G protein activation.💊🧪 🧵👇 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
I love AlphaFold—but please include PAE (Predicted Aligned Error) plots for every “interaction.” Pretty PDBs ≠ proof. If the PAE doesn’t show an interface, it ain’t one. Show the plots. Structural biology's reputation is on the line.
October 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I love AlphaFold—but please include PAE (Predicted Aligned Error) plots for every “interaction.” Pretty PDBs ≠ proof. If the PAE doesn’t show an interface, it ain’t one. Show the plots. Structural biology's reputation is on the line.
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Thrilled our study on heme crystal motion in #malaria @parasitesrule.org is now published @pnas.org, support from NIH, @bwfund.bsky.social, @uofutahcihd.bsky.social, UofU 3i. With Fu and Bidone labs @price.utah.edu, @uofubiochem.bsky.social, @uofuhealth.bsky.social
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Chemical propulsion of hemozoin crystal motion in malaria parasites | PNAS
Malaria parasites infect red blood cells where they digest host hemoglobin and release
free heme inside a lysosome-like organelle called the food v...
www.pnas.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Thrilled our study on heme crystal motion in #malaria @parasitesrule.org is now published @pnas.org, support from NIH, @bwfund.bsky.social, @uofutahcihd.bsky.social, UofU 3i. With Fu and Bidone labs @price.utah.edu, @uofubiochem.bsky.social, @uofuhealth.bsky.social
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
We have a new preprint for you. Naked mole rats are very long-lived rodents and have increased translational fidelity.
Interestingly, 28S ribosomal RNA is split. Here we investigated the structure of the ribosome by single particle cryo-EM. Take a look.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Interestingly, 28S ribosomal RNA is split. Here we investigated the structure of the ribosome by single particle cryo-EM. Take a look.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Cryo-EM structure of the naked mole-rat ribosome reveals a stabilized split 28S rRNA
The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is a long-lived mammal with remarkable resistance to cancer and hypoxia, suggesting the evolution of robust proteostasis networks. The ribosome, the central ...
www.biorxiv.org
October 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
We have a new preprint for you. Naked mole rats are very long-lived rodents and have increased translational fidelity.
Interestingly, 28S ribosomal RNA is split. Here we investigated the structure of the ribosome by single particle cryo-EM. Take a look.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Interestingly, 28S ribosomal RNA is split. Here we investigated the structure of the ribosome by single particle cryo-EM. Take a look.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Learn how our hunt for the native structure of top antimalarial target PfATP4🧂led to the discovery of PfABP, an unknown essential binding partner, out now! @natcomms.nature.com 👉 rdcu.be/eLRlH 🦠🔬❄️
A team effort led by @mehsehret.bsky.social & Anurag Shukla @akhilvaidya.bsky.social! #cryoEM #malaria
A team effort led by @mehsehret.bsky.social & Anurag Shukla @akhilvaidya.bsky.social! #cryoEM #malaria
Endogenous structure of antimalarial target PfATP4 reveals an apicomplexan-specific P-type ATPase modulator
Nature Communications - Here, the authors present the 3.7 Å cryoEM structure of native sodium efflux pump PfATP4 from Plasmodium falciparum, revealing a bound protein that they term...
rdcu.be
October 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Learn how our hunt for the native structure of top antimalarial target PfATP4🧂led to the discovery of PfABP, an unknown essential binding partner, out now! @natcomms.nature.com 👉 rdcu.be/eLRlH 🦠🔬❄️
A team effort led by @mehsehret.bsky.social & Anurag Shukla @akhilvaidya.bsky.social! #cryoEM #malaria
A team effort led by @mehsehret.bsky.social & Anurag Shukla @akhilvaidya.bsky.social! #cryoEM #malaria
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
It was so fun to work on this with @gkocker.bsky.social and @clienkaemper.bsky.social! It is out @pnas.org
If you love olfaction and love math, this one is for you!
🦟👃🧮
When noncanonical olfaction is optimal | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
If you love olfaction and love math, this one is for you!
🦟👃🧮
When noncanonical olfaction is optimal | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
When noncanonical olfaction is optimal | PNAS
The early olfactory system is canonically described by a “one-receptor-to-one-neuron”
model: each olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) expresses a single...
www.pnas.org
October 8, 2025 at 12:42 PM
It was so fun to work on this with @gkocker.bsky.social and @clienkaemper.bsky.social! It is out @pnas.org
If you love olfaction and love math, this one is for you!
🦟👃🧮
When noncanonical olfaction is optimal | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
If you love olfaction and love math, this one is for you!
🦟👃🧮
When noncanonical olfaction is optimal | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Excited to share that our paper on mitochondrial cardiolipin dynamics is published in @natcomms.nature.com today! We provide molecular explanations for unique aspects of mitochondrial morphology and the mechanisms underlying cardiolipin-related Barth Syndrome.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Cardiolipin dynamics promote membrane remodeling by mitochondrial OPA1 - Nature Communications
This study reveals how cardiolipin governs mitochondrial morphology by modulating the activity of human OPA1 and how its replacement by monolyso-cardiolipin, as observed in Barth syndrome, impacts mitochondrial membrane-shaping mechanisms.
www.nature.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Excited to share that our paper on mitochondrial cardiolipin dynamics is published in @natcomms.nature.com today! We provide molecular explanations for unique aspects of mitochondrial morphology and the mechanisms underlying cardiolipin-related Barth Syndrome.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Behind every scientist is an army of workers who keep the biomedical research ecosystem running. Hear from these workers and how they contribute at www.nycures.org/ and SIGN UP to have your voice heard!
September 25, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Behind every scientist is an army of workers who keep the biomedical research ecosystem running. Hear from these workers and how they contribute at www.nycures.org/ and SIGN UP to have your voice heard!
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
We have a preprint of a book chapter for you: Structural Analysis of Membrane Proteins in Cell-Derived Microvesicles.
We describe how to image membrane proteins in mid-sized vesicles using cryo-electron tomography
zenodo.org/records/1717...
We describe how to image membrane proteins in mid-sized vesicles using cryo-electron tomography
zenodo.org/records/1717...
Structural Analysis of Membrane Proteins in Cell-Derived Microvesicles
zenodo.org
September 22, 2025 at 12:36 PM
We have a preprint of a book chapter for you: Structural Analysis of Membrane Proteins in Cell-Derived Microvesicles.
We describe how to image membrane proteins in mid-sized vesicles using cryo-electron tomography
zenodo.org/records/1717...
We describe how to image membrane proteins in mid-sized vesicles using cryo-electron tomography
zenodo.org/records/1717...
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
🚀 Check out our new preprint on extending the scope of single-particle cryo-EM with 2D template matching!
Improved cryo-EM reconstruction of sub-50 kDa complexes using 2D template matching is now available on bioRxiv!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Improved cryo-EM reconstruction of sub-50 kDa complexes using 2D template matching is now available on bioRxiv!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
September 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
🚀 Check out our new preprint on extending the scope of single-particle cryo-EM with 2D template matching!
Improved cryo-EM reconstruction of sub-50 kDa complexes using 2D template matching is now available on bioRxiv!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Improved cryo-EM reconstruction of sub-50 kDa complexes using 2D template matching is now available on bioRxiv!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
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
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
🚀 NY-CURES Launch — Championing State-Wide Investment in Science! 🚀
Our new coalition advocates for sustained public support of New York’s vibrant biomedical research ecosystem — creating cures, economic gains & strengthening communities.
Sign up. Stay informed. Join the movement: www.nycures.org/
Our new coalition advocates for sustained public support of New York’s vibrant biomedical research ecosystem — creating cures, economic gains & strengthening communities.
Sign up. Stay informed. Join the movement: www.nycures.org/
September 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM
🚀 NY-CURES Launch — Championing State-Wide Investment in Science! 🚀
Our new coalition advocates for sustained public support of New York’s vibrant biomedical research ecosystem — creating cures, economic gains & strengthening communities.
Sign up. Stay informed. Join the movement: www.nycures.org/
Our new coalition advocates for sustained public support of New York’s vibrant biomedical research ecosystem — creating cures, economic gains & strengthening communities.
Sign up. Stay informed. Join the movement: www.nycures.org/
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Stopping Ribosomes in Action!: a publication highlight from @keandreyam.bsky.social featuring the lab of @cmholab.bsky.social of @columbiauniversity.bsky.social & colleagues.
Read more here: buff.ly/jWYKq7r
#SBGrid #CryoET
Read more here: buff.ly/jWYKq7r
#SBGrid #CryoET
Stopping Ribosomes in Action!
SBGrid member Chi-Min Ho uses cryo-electron tomography to map malaria’s ribosomes at work.
buff.ly
September 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Stopping Ribosomes in Action!: a publication highlight from @keandreyam.bsky.social featuring the lab of @cmholab.bsky.social of @columbiauniversity.bsky.social & colleagues.
Read more here: buff.ly/jWYKq7r
#SBGrid #CryoET
Read more here: buff.ly/jWYKq7r
#SBGrid #CryoET
Reposted by Chi-Min Ho
Want to know how lipidation of some nascent chains takes place by NMT2-- Check our latest work on how NAC couples Protein Synthesis with Nascent Polypeptide Myristoylation on the Ribosome out today @embojournal.org: www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....
August 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Want to know how lipidation of some nascent chains takes place by NMT2-- Check our latest work on how NAC couples Protein Synthesis with Nascent Polypeptide Myristoylation on the Ribosome out today @embojournal.org: www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....