Papers

We develop a computational model of fission-yeast mitosis using a course-grained Brownian Dynamic framework in conjunction with a force-dependent kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm to replicate the biorientation and segregation of chromosomes.

We develop a torque-balance model that describes spindle assembly due to dynamic microtubule bundles, spindle-pole bodies, the nuclear envelope, and crosslinkers to predict spindle-assembly dynamics.

In-cell NMR in S. cerevisiae is a novel way of looking at disordered proteins in a crowded cellular environment. The methodology has been developed here, which could be broadly applicable to other protein systems. In an example, the non-specific interactions of the FG Nup construct, FSFG-K, with the cytoplasm is similar to previously found bacterial interactions using NMR relaxation techniques. This work was recently published in Biophysical Journal.

Groups of interacting active particles, insects, or humans can form clusters that hinder the goals of the collective. We find that digging performance can be robustly optimized within the constraints of narrow tunnels by individual idleness and retreating.

There are many biological systems in which tracer particles diffuse in a crowded environment. We implemented a lattice Monte Carlo model to analyze the effects of binding kinetics, bound motion, and obstacle size on tracer diffusive in the presence of soft obstacles.

Pushing forces generated by microtubule polymerization are sufficient to promote spindle pole separation and the assembly of bipolar spindle in the absence of molecular motors.

One of the simplest active suspensions with complex dynamics is a suspension of immotile "Extensor" particles that exert active extensile dipolar stresses on the fluid in which they are immersed.

Microtubules, motors, and cross-linkers are important for bipolarity, but the mechanisms necessary and sufficient for spindle assembly remain unknown. We describe a physical model that exhibits de novo bipolar spindle formation.

The disordered C-terminal tails of tubulin are biologically important but difficult to study. We describe a method to isotopically label tubulin for structural studies by NMR of the C-terminal tails.

Recent work has found that microtubule rotational diffusion about minus-end attachment points contributes to kinetochore capture in fission yeast, but the relative contributions of dynamic instability and rotational diffusion are not well understood.