Sarah Keane
@keanelab.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Biophysics and Chemistry @Umich. Structural Biology. NMR. Biochemistry.
I am looking to recruit 2 postdoctoral fellows to the lab to work on a recently funded project focused on class switch recombination in B cells. If you are interested in immunology, gene expression, and RNA and protein single molecule imaging, please reach out (schmi706@msu.edu). Please share!
My lab is currently recruiting 2(!!) postdocs in RNA structural biology/biochemistry! Full details can be found below and on our website (sites.lsa.umich.edu/keane-lab/op...).
Our new paper is out! Using 19F NMR, we show that Hfq rewires the conformational dynamics of a model sRNA in a site-specific manner. Uridines at the rim undergo faster exchange (~100 μs) than those in the proximal pore (~300 μs). Congrats Elise! 🎉🎉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
19F NMR Strategy for Probing Site-specific RNA Dynamics in Large RNA-protein Complexes: Application to the Hfq RNA Chaperone
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is uniquely suited to probing motions on the microsecond to millisecond timescales that underlie RNA rec…
sciencedirect.com
Very proud of UGs Sydney and Jocelyn. Sydney was awarded a GRFP and Jocelyn received an honorable mention! Both are off to Princeton for grad school this fall!
As baseball season ramps up, it is time to re-post my favorite inspirational quote of all time from the great Mets left fielder and philosopher, Mookie Wilson.
If you’re around @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social 2026 and looking for some cool RNA-protein work related to microRNA biogenesis, stop by my poster today at 1:45 and I’ll tell you about some of my near-complete work with @keanelab.bsky.social! #BPS2026
New press about my mom, Prof. Susan Keane @uncg.edu and the impact of her work with Dream Camp, Right Track, and other mentoring in the Psychology Department. Very proud of the work she has done and luck to have her as a role model!
Bernard-Glickman Professorship elevates UNCG psychology - University Advancement
UNC Greensboro psychology professor Dr. Susan Keane, the holder of the Candace Bernard and Robert Glickman Distinguished Professorship, says she can make a stronger impact because of the generosity of...
giving.uncg.edu
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
Biochemist/molecular biologist Joan Steitz was born #OTD in 1941. She (& team) figured out how our cells read/use genetic instructions to make proteins. A key person who helped crack the code on RNA—the molecule that acts like a messenger between DNA & and the proteins our bodies need. #WomenInSTEM
Just out: NMR data processing, visualization, analysis and structure calculation with NMRFx
NMR data processing, visualization, analysis and structure calculation with NMRFx
Communications Chemistry, Published online: 05 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s42004-025-01812-8NMR spectroscopy’s effectiveness across scientific disciplines hinges on robust computational tools for data analysis. Here, the authors introduce NMRFx, a software that enhances data processing and visualization, demonstrating its utility through diverse case studies, including protein, RNA, natural product, and metabolomics analyses.
bit.ly
I'm also late in posting this work, but really proud of Megan @mnwestwood.bsky.social, Sydney, and Jocelyn for their contributions to making RNA NMR spectroscopy more accessible for novice learners! Check out their preprint here: chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...
A practical guide to RNA NMR spectral analysis for undergraduate students
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool that can be used to determine the structures of both small organic molecules and large biomacromolecules. Many undergraduate...
chemrxiv.org
Congratulations are in order!! Cade @chembiocade.bsky.social received the Sokol, Margaret and Herman, Fellowship in the Chemical Sciences and Antigone was selected as a departmental nominee for the Rackham-wide outstanding GSI award!
Congratulations to postbac Sydney Steele for receiving a poster award at the Rustbelt RNA meeting last weekend!
🔓Explore recent #OpenAccess work by @keanelab.bsky.social and colleagues where they describe a virtual screening approach to explore the druggability of the precursor structure of microRNA-31👀 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/md/d5md00553a 📍 @umich.edu 🧪
Integrated in silico and experimental screening identifies novel ligands that target precursor microRNA-31 at the dicer cleavage site
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and the dysregulation in mature miRNA levels has been implicated in a wide variety of diseases. In particular, altered levels of mature microRNA-31…
pubs.rsc.org
Congratulations to the lab for placing 1st for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts unit in the 2025 Freezer Challenge! A big thanks to Antigone and @chembiocade.bsky.social for leading the lab in sustainable practices.
Two papers from Grace's thesis have been published! Our journey into the world of small molecule RNA targeting.
And another poster award! This one to Antigone, who presented at the Karle Symposium today!!
Congratulations are in order! Two members of the lab, Moriah (a @NSF funded D-RISE high school student) and Diane (a UM undergrad) were awarded poster prizes at the URAN|UM symposium today!
I am (optimistically) looking for a postdoc with solution state biomolecular NMR expertise to join our group. I can provide access to high-end instrumentation and technical assistance via our membership at the New York Structural Biology Center. #nmr #academicsky #postdoc
Glad to see this work out in its final form! Congrats to the team! www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Structural Features Within Precursor microRNA-20a Regulate Dicer-TRBP Processing
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression of target messenger (m) RNAs. To maintain proper miR…
sciencedirect.com
Learn more about how Eterna puzzles are being used for RNA education and outreach at the middle school, high school, and college level in the latest RCSB PDB newsletter. 🧬 🧪 cdn.rcsb.org/rcsb-pdb/gen...
EDUCATION CORNER: Interactive RNA Education with the Eterna Game
Eterna is an online game which models the base pairing and secondary structure of RNA sequences.
cdn.rcsb.org
RCSB Protein Data Bank@rcsbpdb.bsky.social · last yr.Summer Newsletter Published Highlights training events, the Ligand Expo shutdown; accessing IHM data at RCSB PDB, and more. In the Education Corner, learn about Interactive RNA Education with the Eterna Game. cdn.rcsb.org/rcsb-pd...
Grace's manuscript describing a combined virtual/experimental screening approach for identifying small molecule ligands that bind pre-miR-31 is online! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Integrated in silico and experimental screening identifies novel ligands that target precursor microRNA-31 at the Dicer cleavage site
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and the dysregulation in mature miRNA levels has been implicated in a wide variety of diseases. In particular, altered levels of mature microRNA-31 (miR-31)...
biorxiv.org
2nd defense of the summer! Congratulations to Dr. Aldrex Munsayac! It has been a pleasure to work with and learn from you!
ACS Bio & Med Chem Au (open) Consolidated 3-Fold Isotopic Lens for Probing RNAs, Solomon K. Attionu, Lukasz T. Olenginski, Frances P. Stump, Theodore K. Dayie* pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/... #NMRchat 🧲
Consolidated 3-Fold Isotopic Lens for Probing RNAs
Undesired scalar and dipolar couplings are two major interactions that complicate structural and dynamic studies in solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Recent developments in site-...
pubs.acs.org
Please join the chorus of voices, including my own, in support of the talented, hardworking and dedicated scientists and staff at NIH. They serve their country by deploying their training and skills to improve the health and quality of life of all Americans 🙏 🇺🇸
Jeremy Berg@jeremymberg.bsky.social · last yr.Congratulations to Dr. Arhin for an outstanding thesis defense earlier this week!
Thrilled that @mnwestwood.bsky.social and I have been recognized with a PACE Fellowship for Graduate Student-Faculty Mentor Pairs! More great things to come!
