Henri Niskanen
@henriniskanen.bsky.social
Postdoc @ Hnisz lab | Max Planck Institute for Molecule Genetics, Berlin | Condensates & Gene regulation | Past: PhD (Molecular Medicine, Uni. East Finland) MSc (biochemistry, Uni. Turku)
Reposted by Henri Niskanen
Work is a collaboration with @matthewkraushar.bsky.social, @aktast.bsky.social and the MPIMG Service Groups FACS, microscopy, sequencing and mass spec, as well as researchers from Austria, the US and Switzerland. Link to the publication:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
June 6, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Work is a collaboration with @matthewkraushar.bsky.social, @aktast.bsky.social and the MPIMG Service Groups FACS, microscopy, sequencing and mass spec, as well as researchers from Austria, the US and Switzerland. Link to the publication:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
7/7
In summary, the killswitch is a versatile tool that alters condensate material properties in live cells. It revealed that condensate composition and functions rely on their microenvironments, paving the way for new biology and therapeutic strategies
In summary, the killswitch is a versatile tool that alters condensate material properties in live cells. It revealed that condensate composition and functions rely on their microenvironments, paving the way for new biology and therapeutic strategies
June 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
7/7
In summary, the killswitch is a versatile tool that alters condensate material properties in live cells. It revealed that condensate composition and functions rely on their microenvironments, paving the way for new biology and therapeutic strategies
In summary, the killswitch is a versatile tool that alters condensate material properties in live cells. It revealed that condensate composition and functions rely on their microenvironments, paving the way for new biology and therapeutic strategies
6/7
In zebrafish embryos, killswitch targeted to transcriptional condensates via NANOG suppressed miRNA transcription. Across models, killswitch reveals functional consequences of changing condensate material property, without dissolving the structures themselves.
In zebrafish embryos, killswitch targeted to transcriptional condensates via NANOG suppressed miRNA transcription. Across models, killswitch reveals functional consequences of changing condensate material property, without dissolving the structures themselves.
June 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
6/7
In zebrafish embryos, killswitch targeted to transcriptional condensates via NANOG suppressed miRNA transcription. Across models, killswitch reveals functional consequences of changing condensate material property, without dissolving the structures themselves.
In zebrafish embryos, killswitch targeted to transcriptional condensates via NANOG suppressed miRNA transcription. Across models, killswitch reveals functional consequences of changing condensate material property, without dissolving the structures themselves.
5/7
In adenoviral 52K condensates, killswitch reduced dynamics and blocked recruitment of capsid protein IIIa, despite preserved binding interfaces. Viral progeny production dropped >90%. The KS thus uncovers hidden roles of condensate microenvironments for condensate regulation.
In adenoviral 52K condensates, killswitch reduced dynamics and blocked recruitment of capsid protein IIIa, despite preserved binding interfaces. Viral progeny production dropped >90%. The KS thus uncovers hidden roles of condensate microenvironments for condensate regulation.
June 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
5/7
In adenoviral 52K condensates, killswitch reduced dynamics and blocked recruitment of capsid protein IIIa, despite preserved binding interfaces. Viral progeny production dropped >90%. The KS thus uncovers hidden roles of condensate microenvironments for condensate regulation.
In adenoviral 52K condensates, killswitch reduced dynamics and blocked recruitment of capsid protein IIIa, despite preserved binding interfaces. Viral progeny production dropped >90%. The KS thus uncovers hidden roles of condensate microenvironments for condensate regulation.
4/7
Targeting BRD4::NUT condensates with killswitch disrupted RNA Pol II partitioning and reduced transcription. In NUP98::KDM5A-driven AML cells, killswitch caused proteasome-mediated degradation of fusion condensates and impaired leukemia cell growth.
Targeting BRD4::NUT condensates with killswitch disrupted RNA Pol II partitioning and reduced transcription. In NUP98::KDM5A-driven AML cells, killswitch caused proteasome-mediated degradation of fusion condensates and impaired leukemia cell growth.
June 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
4/7
Targeting BRD4::NUT condensates with killswitch disrupted RNA Pol II partitioning and reduced transcription. In NUP98::KDM5A-driven AML cells, killswitch caused proteasome-mediated degradation of fusion condensates and impaired leukemia cell growth.
Targeting BRD4::NUT condensates with killswitch disrupted RNA Pol II partitioning and reduced transcription. In NUP98::KDM5A-driven AML cells, killswitch caused proteasome-mediated degradation of fusion condensates and impaired leukemia cell growth.
3/7
To analyze compositional changes, we developed NuFANCI, a FACS-based method to isolate nuclear condensates. Applied to killswitch-targeted nucleoli, mass spectrometry revealed selective depletion of ~20 RNA-binding proteins, demonstrating condensate-material-property–dependent partitioning.
To analyze compositional changes, we developed NuFANCI, a FACS-based method to isolate nuclear condensates. Applied to killswitch-targeted nucleoli, mass spectrometry revealed selective depletion of ~20 RNA-binding proteins, demonstrating condensate-material-property–dependent partitioning.
June 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
3/7
To analyze compositional changes, we developed NuFANCI, a FACS-based method to isolate nuclear condensates. Applied to killswitch-targeted nucleoli, mass spectrometry revealed selective depletion of ~20 RNA-binding proteins, demonstrating condensate-material-property–dependent partitioning.
To analyze compositional changes, we developed NuFANCI, a FACS-based method to isolate nuclear condensates. Applied to killswitch-targeted nucleoli, mass spectrometry revealed selective depletion of ~20 RNA-binding proteins, demonstrating condensate-material-property–dependent partitioning.
2/7
Using the nanobody system, killswitch can be targeted to a wide range of endogenous condensates, including nucleoli, nuclear speckles, chromocenters, and disease-specific condensates.
Using the nanobody system, killswitch can be targeted to a wide range of endogenous condensates, including nucleoli, nuclear speckles, chromocenters, and disease-specific condensates.
June 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
2/7
Using the nanobody system, killswitch can be targeted to a wide range of endogenous condensates, including nucleoli, nuclear speckles, chromocenters, and disease-specific condensates.
Using the nanobody system, killswitch can be targeted to a wide range of endogenous condensates, including nucleoli, nuclear speckles, chromocenters, and disease-specific condensates.
1/7
Killswitch (KS) is a non-natural, self-associating micropeptide that can be genetically fused to condensate proteins or recruited via GFP-nanobody. It immobilizes scaffold proteins without affecting soluble pools—letting us perturb condensates selectively in live cells.
Killswitch (KS) is a non-natural, self-associating micropeptide that can be genetically fused to condensate proteins or recruited via GFP-nanobody. It immobilizes scaffold proteins without affecting soluble pools—letting us perturb condensates selectively in live cells.
June 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
1/7
Killswitch (KS) is a non-natural, self-associating micropeptide that can be genetically fused to condensate proteins or recruited via GFP-nanobody. It immobilizes scaffold proteins without affecting soluble pools—letting us perturb condensates selectively in live cells.
Killswitch (KS) is a non-natural, self-associating micropeptide that can be genetically fused to condensate proteins or recruited via GFP-nanobody. It immobilizes scaffold proteins without affecting soluble pools—letting us perturb condensates selectively in live cells.
Special thanks to the great team that made this work possible: @idamarii.bsky.social Pablo Fernandez-Pernas, Melanie A, Matt C, Alex M, Melanie P-S @nvastenhouw.bsky.social @weitzmanlab.bsky.social @floriangrebien.bsky.social @aktast.bsky.social @molgen.mpg.de @childrensphila.bsky.social
June 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Special thanks to the great team that made this work possible: @idamarii.bsky.social Pablo Fernandez-Pernas, Melanie A, Matt C, Alex M, Melanie P-S @nvastenhouw.bsky.social @weitzmanlab.bsky.social @floriangrebien.bsky.social @aktast.bsky.social @molgen.mpg.de @childrensphila.bsky.social
In summary, the killswitch is a versatile tool that alters condensate material properties in live cells. It revealed that condensate composition and functions rely on their microenvironments, paving the way for new biological insights and therapeutic strategies.
June 4, 2025 at 3:23 PM
In summary, the killswitch is a versatile tool that alters condensate material properties in live cells. It revealed that condensate composition and functions rely on their microenvironments, paving the way for new biological insights and therapeutic strategies.
5/7
In adenoviral 52K condensates, killswitch reduced dynamics and blocked recruitment of capsid protein IIIa, despite preserved binding interfaces. Viral progeny production dropped >90%. The KS thus uncovers hidden roles of condensate microenvironments for condensate regulation.
In adenoviral 52K condensates, killswitch reduced dynamics and blocked recruitment of capsid protein IIIa, despite preserved binding interfaces. Viral progeny production dropped >90%. The KS thus uncovers hidden roles of condensate microenvironments for condensate regulation.
June 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
5/7
In adenoviral 52K condensates, killswitch reduced dynamics and blocked recruitment of capsid protein IIIa, despite preserved binding interfaces. Viral progeny production dropped >90%. The KS thus uncovers hidden roles of condensate microenvironments for condensate regulation.
In adenoviral 52K condensates, killswitch reduced dynamics and blocked recruitment of capsid protein IIIa, despite preserved binding interfaces. Viral progeny production dropped >90%. The KS thus uncovers hidden roles of condensate microenvironments for condensate regulation.
4/7
Targeting BRD4::NUT condensates with killswitch disrupted RNA Pol II partitioning and reduced transcription. In NUP98::KDM5A-driven AML cells, killswitch caused proteasome-mediated degradation of fusion condensates and impaired leukemia cell growth.
Targeting BRD4::NUT condensates with killswitch disrupted RNA Pol II partitioning and reduced transcription. In NUP98::KDM5A-driven AML cells, killswitch caused proteasome-mediated degradation of fusion condensates and impaired leukemia cell growth.
June 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
4/7
Targeting BRD4::NUT condensates with killswitch disrupted RNA Pol II partitioning and reduced transcription. In NUP98::KDM5A-driven AML cells, killswitch caused proteasome-mediated degradation of fusion condensates and impaired leukemia cell growth.
Targeting BRD4::NUT condensates with killswitch disrupted RNA Pol II partitioning and reduced transcription. In NUP98::KDM5A-driven AML cells, killswitch caused proteasome-mediated degradation of fusion condensates and impaired leukemia cell growth.
3/7
To analyze compositional changes, we developed NuFANCI, a FACS-based method to isolate nuclear condensates. Applied to killswitch-targeted nucleoli, mass spectrometry revealed selective depletion of ~20 RNA-binding proteins, demonstrating condensate-material-property–dependent partitioning.
To analyze compositional changes, we developed NuFANCI, a FACS-based method to isolate nuclear condensates. Applied to killswitch-targeted nucleoli, mass spectrometry revealed selective depletion of ~20 RNA-binding proteins, demonstrating condensate-material-property–dependent partitioning.
June 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
3/7
To analyze compositional changes, we developed NuFANCI, a FACS-based method to isolate nuclear condensates. Applied to killswitch-targeted nucleoli, mass spectrometry revealed selective depletion of ~20 RNA-binding proteins, demonstrating condensate-material-property–dependent partitioning.
To analyze compositional changes, we developed NuFANCI, a FACS-based method to isolate nuclear condensates. Applied to killswitch-targeted nucleoli, mass spectrometry revealed selective depletion of ~20 RNA-binding proteins, demonstrating condensate-material-property–dependent partitioning.
2/7
Using the nanobody system, killswitch can be targeted to a wide range of endogenous condensates, including nucleoli, nuclear speckles, chromocenters, and disease-specific condensates.
Using the nanobody system, killswitch can be targeted to a wide range of endogenous condensates, including nucleoli, nuclear speckles, chromocenters, and disease-specific condensates.
June 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
2/7
Using the nanobody system, killswitch can be targeted to a wide range of endogenous condensates, including nucleoli, nuclear speckles, chromocenters, and disease-specific condensates.
Using the nanobody system, killswitch can be targeted to a wide range of endogenous condensates, including nucleoli, nuclear speckles, chromocenters, and disease-specific condensates.
Killswitch (KS) is a non-natural, self-associating micropeptide that can be genetically fused to condensate proteins or recruited via GFP-nanobody. It immobilizes scaffold proteins without affecting soluble pools—letting us perturb condensates selectively in live cells.
June 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Killswitch (KS) is a non-natural, self-associating micropeptide that can be genetically fused to condensate proteins or recruited via GFP-nanobody. It immobilizes scaffold proteins without affecting soluble pools—letting us perturb condensates selectively in live cells.
Special thanks to the great team that made this work possible: @idamarii.bsky.social Pablo, Melanie, Matt, Alex, Melanie P-S. @nvastenhouw.bsky.social @floriangrebien.bsky.social @matthewkraushar.bsky.social @aktast.bsky.social @molgen.mpg.de
June 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Special thanks to the great team that made this work possible: @idamarii.bsky.social Pablo, Melanie, Matt, Alex, Melanie P-S. @nvastenhouw.bsky.social @floriangrebien.bsky.social @matthewkraushar.bsky.social @aktast.bsky.social @molgen.mpg.de