Mark your calendars!! We are excited to announce the date for this year's WALII Virtual Symposium on November 12, 2026! More details will be shared soon!
Shahar Sukenik
@shaharsu.bsky.social
Alternating between running a lab and taking care of the kids. Tweets mostly science related.
We'd like to share a huge congratulations to WALII members Kara Hunter, Alex Holehouse, and Shahar Sukenik on their new publication in Nature! Check out the article here: www.nature.com/articles/s41... @alexholehouse.bsky.social @shaharsu.bsky.social #Science #Nature #PlantScience
Rational design of disordered proteins for sequence–function investigation - Nature
GOOSE enables the design and testing of thousands of disordered protein region sequences to reveal distinct sequence-to-function relationships.
nature.com
We are actively looking for a NMR facility manager for our growing NMR needs in Syracuse! This facility hosts an 800 with TCI cryoprobe (perfect for disordered protein research) and 600 with Prodigy cryoprobe. Please share with your communities!
Magnetic Resonance News@nmr900.bsky.social · 4w agoInstructional Support Specialist (NMR Specialist) College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York esf.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdeta... #NMRjobs #NMRchat #NMR 🧲
Finally out - our work on high throughput design and characterization of disordered protein sequences 🪱🪱🪱. A long time collaboration with BFFs @alexholehouse.bsky.social and @remenecker.bsky.social, with experimental work led by @trevorbrandt.bsky.social and @karaehunt.bsky.social.
Rational design of disordered proteins for sequence–function investigation - Nature
GOOSE enables the design and testing of thousands of disordered protein region sequences to reveal distinct sequence-to-function relationships.
nature.com
Huge congrats to the many authors who over MANY years worked on this (but especially @karaehunt.bsky.social , @trevorbrandt.bsky.social, Karina, @shaharsu.bsky.social and @remenecker.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Rational design of disordered proteins for sequence–function investigation - Nature
GOOSE enables the design and testing of thousands of disordered protein region sequences to reveal distinct sequence-to-function relationships.
nature.com
Alex Holehouse@alexholehouse.bsky.social · 6mo agoNew (well, very old, but 100% updated) preprint: Rational design of disordered proteins for systematic sequence-to-function investigation Work done in collaboration with @shaharsu.bsky.social lab - check out the three (3) threads from the folks who did the work!
#preprint by postdoc Billy Haws reveals the determinants of how UBQLN2 forms puncta under heat stress conditions - using both in vitro and in cell experiments, turns out the substrate-binding / chaperone-binding STI1-I and STI1-II domains are the driving forces! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Interested in joining a vibrant Syracuse research community? We are looking to hire a NMR facility manager overseeing 600 and 800 MHz Bruker systems (the latter equipped with a TCI cryoprobe). Please share with your networks and apply here!: esf.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdeta...
esf.interviewexchange.com
And it's a wrap! 2026 GRC on intrinsically disordered proteins was a blast!!🏔️🍝🧪 Thank to all speakers, discussion leaders, and participants for making this meeting memorable - see you all in 2028!!
Postdocs Nirbhik Acharya and @jessniblo.bsky.social worked awesomely together to show how disordered regions regulate folded domain interactions that affect UBQLN structure, dynamics, and binding. Illustrating the power of experimental (NMR, SAXS) and computational collabs on full-length proteins!!!
Jess Niblo@jessniblo.bsky.social · 5mo agoEver wonder how IDRs and folded domains work together to control function? Using ubiquilins, multidomain proteins involved in protein degradation, we show in our new preprint that IDRs aren’t just linkers, but regulate ensemble and function. Read it here: doi.org/10.64898/202...
Excited to share our substantially updated manuscript, "Rational design of disordered proteins for systematic sequence-to-function investigation"! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Make sure to register and join us for the Anhydrobiosis Research, Tools & Techniques Webinar Series! Happening each month beginning April 9, 2026! Register here: walii.science/anhydrobiosi...
Anhydrobiosis Research, Tools & Techniques Webinar Series
The Anhydrobiosis Research, Tools & Techniques Public Webinar Series The Anhydrobiosis Research, Tools & Techniques Webinar Series is a public seminar and technical training series featurin…
walii.science
After over 2 years - our new preprint is finally out! “Rational design of disordered proteins for systematic sequence-to-function investigation”! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
(1/7) New preprint, check it out! "Rational design of disordered proteins for systematic sequence-to-function investigation" www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
A great collaboration with our next door neighbors @castanedalab.bsky.social! We show how disordered regions 🍝 have hotspots that drive intramolecular interactions, regulating multi-domain protein topology and function. See more in Jess' post 👇
Jess Niblo@jessniblo.bsky.social · 5mo agoEver wonder how IDRs and folded domains work together to control function? Using ubiquilins, multidomain proteins involved in protein degradation, we show in our new preprint that IDRs aren’t just linkers, but regulate ensemble and function. Read it here: doi.org/10.64898/202...
Ever wonder how IDRs and folded domains work together to control function? Using ubiquilins, multidomain proteins involved in protein degradation, we show in our new preprint that IDRs aren’t just linkers, but regulate ensemble and function. Read it here: doi.org/10.64898/202...
Intramolecular interactions between folded and disordered regions shape ubiquilin structure and function
Multidomain proteins consist of folded domains connected by intrinsically disordered regions. The flexibility afforded by the disordered regions coupled to the structure and surface chemistry of folded regions allows for unique structural and functional features in these proteins. Yet how intramolecular interactions between disordered regions and folded domains affect multidomain protein structure and function remain poorly understood. Here we use a range of biophysical and computational approaches to measure the intramolecular interactions between the folded domains and disordered regions of ubiquilins (UBQLNs) - essential components of protein quality control that shuttle poly-ubiquitinated client proteins to proteasomal degradation or autophagy. Starting with the yeast UBQLN homolog Dsk2, we find that interactions between two folded domains located at the opposite ends of UBQLN bring about a closed conformation. The prevalence of this closed conformation, however, is modulated by intramolecular interactions involving the disordered regions and folded STI1 domain at the center of the protein. Simulations and analysis of UBQLN homologs across multiple eukaryotic lineages reveals that these disordered:folded domain interactions exist in some UBQLN homologs but are absent in others, indicating possible fundamental differences in function among proteins with the same multidomain architecture. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.
biorxiv.org
I am thrilled to announce publication of our new paper! We show transcription factor evolution in fungi is driven evolutionary turnover at two length scales. 1) Turnover of entire activation domains and 2) turnover of key residues within an activation domain. journals.plos.org/plosgenetics...
Evolutionary turnover of key amino acids explains conservation of function without conservation of sequence in transcriptional activation domains
Author summary When and where genes are turned on determine what an organism looks like and how it responds to its environment. The turning on and off of genes is controlled by proteins known as trans...
journals.plos.org
The @biophysicalsoc.bsky.social IDP Subgroup Postdoctoral Award honors outstanding Postdoctoral Fellows for their research accomplishments. APPLY by sending your nomination packet to idpsubgroupbps@gmail.com by Dec 15th! Find all information at: www.biophysics.org/awards-fundi...
Subgroup Awards - The Biophysical Society
biophysics.org
I'm super excited to share the most recent work from my time in the lab of Thomas Boothby at the University of Wyoming, in collaboration with @shaharsu.bsky.social! Read the paper here: www.cell.com/action/showP...
cell.com
Now published in @cp-cellsystems.bsky.social - we look at the chemical features that make proteins tolerant to dehydration, and the functions these proteins fill. 🏜️🚱 tinyurl.com/bsfy56yt
Protein surface chemistry encodes an adaptive tolerance to desiccation
Desiccated cells lose over 85% of their water content and experience widespread biomolecular dysfunction. Romero-Pérez et al. show that the yeast proteome contains a subset of proteins that are desicc...
tinyurl.com
All wiggly protein afficionados 🍝 - The IDP grodon conf is filling up fast. Please submit your registration ASAP! The conference takes place June 21-27 2026 in Les Diablerets, Switzerland, with an amazing speaker lineup! Details: tinyurl.com/yfm5jsxt @idpgrc.bsky.social @idpseminars.bsky.social
2026 Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Conference GRC
The 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Intrinsically Disordered Proteins will be held in Les Diablerets, Vaud (fr) Switzerland. Apply today to reserve your spot.
grc.org
So happy to announce our new preprint, “A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes.” We cultured a novel amoeba from Lassen Volcanic NP (CA, USA) that divides at 63°C (145°F) 🔥 - a new record for euk growth! #protistsonsky 🧵
bioRxiv Microbiology@biorxiv-microbiol.bsky.social · 9mo agoA geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.24.690213v1
🧬Next up: Mustafa Mir in the Transcription and Chromatin Regulation session! His lab uses live embryo & single-cell single-molecule tracking to reveal how IDRs guide transcription factor target search & specificity - shedding light on gene regulation in development. @mirlab.bsky.social
The First Annual Virtual WALII Symposium: Exploring Life Without Water is ONE WEEK AWAY! 🗓️💧 Register now to join us on November, 18! www.walii.science/virtual-symp...
🚨🚨The GRC on Intrinsically Disordered Proteins #IDPs is back!! 🍝🧵🏔️Join us for cutting-edge IDP science, great discussions, and mountain views 🌄🍝 📅 June 21-26, 2026 | Les Diablerets, Switzerland 👉 Details & registration: grc.org/intrinsicall...
2026 Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Conference GRC
The 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Intrinsically Disordered Proteins will be held in Les Diablerets, Vaud (fr) Switzerland. Apply today to reserve your spot.
grc.org
🚨The 2026 IDP GRC Program is LIVE! 📣 Check it out: www.grc.org/intrinsicall... We’ve got an incredible speaker lineup! 🌟 Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting some of them and giving you a sneak peek at the exciting topics they’ll be covering. Stay tuned!
2026 Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Conference GRC
The 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Intrinsically Disordered Proteins will be held in Les Diablerets, Vaud (fr) Switzerland. Apply today to reserve your spot.
grc.org
🎉Excited to announce that Dr. Rebecca Berlow @berlowlab.bsky.social will speak in the “Disorder in Pathogens” session at #IDPGRC2026! The Berlow lab uses solution NMR and biophysical approaches to uncover how IDP sequence, dynamics & function drive transcriptional regulation.
🖥️Next up: Jeetain Mittal in the Material Properties of IDPs and Condensates session! His team uses multiscale simulations to uncover how sequence-encoded interactions in IDPs govern conformational transitions & condensate behavior - informing neurodegenerative research. @mittalgrouptamu.bsky.social
📢 Abstract deadline Nov 1! Join us at the FASEB Conference on Biomolecular Phase Transitions (Jan 11–15, 2026, Melbourne, FL), showcasing cutting-edge research on condensates in health & disease, and therapeutic frontiers. ~30% talks from abstracts! events.faseb.org/event/480194...
Phase Transitions in Cellular Signaling and Disease.
Explore biomolecular condensates, phase transitions, and drug discovery in Florida. Hear from experts, attend workshops, and advance your research!
events.faseb.org
Thanks @elevylab.bsky.social for a fantastic writeup!!
Emmanuel Levy's lab@elevylab.bsky.social · 10mo agoMolecular Armor: Simple Rules to Keep Proteins (Re)Soluble💧 Check our preview of a cool study on how proteins stay soluble (or not) after desiccation—from the labs of S. Fried, @alexholehouse.bsky.social and @shaharsu.bsky.social in @cp-cellsystems.bsky.social www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Can't wait to see you all there!!
@idpgrc.bsky.social · 11mo ago🚨🚨The GRC on Intrinsically Disordered Proteins #IDPs is back!! 🍝🧵🏔️Join us for cutting-edge IDP science, great discussions, and mountain views 🌄🍝 📅 June 21-26, 2026 | Les Diablerets, Switzerland 👉 Details & registration: grc.org/intrinsicall...