Nicole C. Riddle is a Professor and Associate Chair for Research and Facilities in the Department of Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Missouri Columbia and a Ph.D. in Evolutionary and Population Biology from Washington University in St. Louis. Her research focuses on epigenetics and chromatin dynamics, particularly in the context of aging and sex differences using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. Dr. Riddle's work explores how epigenetic mechanisms influence lifespan, genome stability, and phenotypic variation. She has pioneered the use of Drosophila to study exercise-induced physiological changes and their genetic underpinnings. Her lab investigates the roles of HP1 proteins in transcriptional regulation and chromatin organization, with recent studies emphasizing cross-species comparisons of aging mechanisms. Her research has been supported by grants including the BII: IISAGE project on sex-specific aging mechanisms. Notable contributions include developing novel tools like the Rotating Exercise Quantification System (REQS) to measure Drosophila activity levels. Dr. Riddle actively mentors students and postdoctoral researchers, inviting inquiries via riddlenc@uab.edu to join her lab.
Clifford P. Brangwynne is the June K. Wu '92 Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Bioengineering at Princeton University, serving as Director of the Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute. His research bridges biophysics, bioengineering, and cell biology to investigate the physical principles governing intracellular organization through liquid-liquid phase separation. Education Ph.D. in Applied Physics, Harvard University (2007) B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering (minor in Physics), Carnegie Mellon University (2001) Research Focus Brangwynne's lab pioneers the study of membrane-less organelles (biomolecular condensates) formed via phase separation, exploring their roles in nuclear architecture, genome regulation, and disease mechanisms. His work integrates soft matter physics with advanced cell biology to uncover how these condensates form, function, and contribute to pathological protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disorders, while developing synthetic organelle engineering for biomedical applications. Publication Trends His publications consistently demonstrate how liquid phase condensation governs cellular organization across scales—from nuclear genome restructuring to pathological aggregation. The interdisciplinary approach reveals fundamental physical principles while driving technological innovations in organelle engineering and disease modeling. Major Awards Breakthrough Prize for Life Sciences (2023) Raymond and Beverly Sackler International Prize in Biophysics (2023) Tsuneko & Reiji Okazaki Award (2021) Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences (2020) Blavatnik National Award in Life Sciences (2020) Human Frontier Science Program Nakasone Award (2020) Michael and Kate Bárány Award, Biophysical Society (2020) HHMI Transformative Technology Award (2019) MacArthur Fellow (2018) HHMI, Simons Foundation, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Faculty Scholar (2016) SCB Gibco Emerging Leader Prize, American Society of Cell Biology (2015) Sloan Research Fellowship (2014) NSF CAREER Award (2013) NIH New Innovator Award (2012) Searle Scholar Award (2012) Helen Hay Whitney Fellow (2008-2010) Advising and Funding He mentors graduate students including Jordy Botello, Yi-Che (Eje) Chang, Yoonji Kim, Claire Weaver, Lennard Wiesner, and Jessica Zhao. Research is supported by HHMI, Simons Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NIH, NSF, and the Human Frontier Science Program. Laboratory and Collaborations Leading the Soft Living Matter Group, Brangwynne collaborates with theorists including Mikko Haataja (Princeton Mechanical Engineering), Ned Wingreen (Princeton Molecular Biology), and Rohit Pappu (WUSTL), while contributing to the NIH 4D Nucleome Consortium to advance understanding of nuclear organization.
Dr. Monica P. Colaiacovo is a Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, where she leads research in the Department of Genetics within the Blavatnik Institute. Her laboratory is located in the New Research Building in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Colaiacovo's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of meiosis, chromosome dynamics, and DNA repair in the Caenorhabditis elegans model system. Her work examines how environmental toxicants impact germline function and reproductive health, with particular emphasis on chromosome segregation, recombination, and the synaptonemal complex. Her publications reveal a consistent research trajectory examining critical aspects of meiotic chromosome behavior, including double-strand break formation and repair, crossover designation, and chromosome movement during prophase I. Her laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how environmental exposures like bisphenol A and phthalates disrupt normal meiotic progression and lead to germline dysfunction. Dr. Colaiacovo's work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between basic chromosome biology, environmental health sciences, and reproductive medicine. Her research group employs advanced genetic, molecular, and imaging techniques to dissect the complex mechanisms ensuring accurate chromosome segregation during gamete formation. Her laboratory actively collaborates with researchers studying aging, DNA repair pathways, and environmental toxicology, as evidenced by publications spanning multiple high-impact journals including Nature, PLoS Genetics, and Genetics.
Nicolas Thomä is a Full Professor and head of the Thomä Lab at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he holds the Paternot Chair in Cancer Research. He is affiliated with the School of Life Sciences (SV) and the Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology (ISREC), leading the UPTHOMAE research unit. His work bridges structural biology, chemical biology, and cancer research, with a focus on transcriptional regulation and targeted protein degradation. His research interests center on chromatin biology and the molecular mechanisms by which transcription factors access gene promoters within chromatin. He investigates how multi-protein complexes regulate gene expression, particularly focusing on the role of E3 ubiquitin ligases and molecular glues in targeted protein degradation. His lab combines structural techniques (including cryo-EM), biochemical assays, and functional genomics to unravel how small molecules can rewire protein interactions and induce degradation of disease-relevant proteins, especially transcription factors involved in cancer. The recent publications of his lab demonstrate a strong trajectory in understanding the structural basis of transcription factor binding to nucleosomes (e.g., OCT4-SOX2, MYC-MAX, CLOCK-BMAL1) and the mechanism of action of molecular glues like thalidomide. These studies highlight a shift toward therapeutic innovation through chemical biology, aiming to develop novel strategies for targeting 'undruggable' proteins in human diseases. Scientific Awards No specific awards listed in the provided text. Advising and Grants Thomä actively supervises a team of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, including David Domjan, Laurin Tim Kanis, Alessandro Minafra, and Pierre Alexander Miranda Herrera. His lab is supported by institutional funding from EPFL and likely external grants related to cancer research, structural biology, and chemical biology, though specific grants are not mentioned. The lab’s interdisciplinary approach suggests collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotech partners. Labs and Teams The Thomä Lab, based at EPFL’s SV building, includes a multidisciplinary team of scientists, technical specialists, and administrative support. Key members include Fiona Bello (Technical Specialist), Regina Baur, Alexandra Bendel, Manuel Carminati, and others. The lab is structured around two main research pillars: Transcription Factors in Chromatin Biology and Ubiquitin Biology and Molecular Glues, reflecting its dual focus on fundamental mechanisms and therapeutic applications.
Suliana Manley is a Full Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , affiliated with the School of Basic Sciences and the Laboratory of Experimental Biophysics . She also holds teaching and research roles in EPFL's School of Life Sciences and Swiss Plasma Center , focusing on interdisciplinary biophysical studies. Education : PhD in Physics (2004), Harvard University Bachelor's in Physics & Mathematics (1997), Rice University Manley's research centers on super-resolution fluorescence imaging , single-molecule tracking , and quantitative biophysics . Key themes include: Understanding protein assembly dynamics at cellular membranes Elucidating viral assembly mechanisms (e.g., HIV-Gag) Developing 3D imaging algorithms and high-density data reconstruction tools like PALMsiever and FALCON Quantifying nanoscale organization in systems like telomeres and centrioles Her work bridges optical physics , computational image analysis , and cellular biology , with notable Nature and PNAS publications. Collaborations span bioengineering , genetics , and medical research . Scientific Awards : Featured in Nature Methods Research Highlights (3x) Very Important Paper and Cover Article (ChemBioChem, 2012) Postdoctoral Fellow, NIH and MIT Advising & Collaborations : Current PhD students in biophysics, cellular biology, and bioengineering Former students: Anna Archetti, Aleksandr Benke, Andrea Callegari, and others Co-founder of tools for high-density super-resolution microscopy and live-cell imaging Labs & Teams : Leads the Laboratory of Experimental Biophysics at EPFL, integrating physics-based methods into biological questions. The lab focuses on quantitative imaging , computational modeling , and software development for nanoscale analysis.
Istvan Albert is a Research Professor of Bioinformatics at Pennsylvania State University , affiliated with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology . He leads the Bioinformatics Consulting Center and teaches BMMB 852: Applied Bioinformatics . Research Interests: Specializing in bioinformatics, large-scale biological data analysis, microarray and sequence analysis, scientific programming, algorithm development, and database-driven web development. His work spans gene ontology visualization , RNA-Seq analysis , and coronavirus research . Software Development: Created GeneScape for gene function visualization and bio for bioinformatics workflows. Maintains the Biostar Handbook series and the Biostars Q&A Forum , a leading bioinformatics resource.
John Diffley is a Principal Group Leader and Associate Research Director at The Francis Crick Institute in London, UK, where he leads research on DNA replication mechanisms. His work focuses on understanding how cells precisely duplicate their DNA during cell division and how errors in this process contribute to cancer development. Diffley obtained his PhD from New York University in 1985 and completed postdoctoral training with Bruce Stillman at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory until 1990. He established his research group at the Clare Hall Laboratories (originally Imperial Cancer Research Fund, then Cancer Research UK) before moving to The Francis Crick Institute in 2015. His research spans DNA replication initiation, cell cycle control, replication fork checkpoints, and epigenetic inheritance. Diffley's lab has pioneered methods to reconstitute chromatin replication using purified proteins, providing unprecedented insights into chromosome biology. His team combines genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry to study the molecular 'machines' that copy DNA in yeast and human cells. Analysis of Diffley's recent publications reveals a strong focus on structural mechanisms of DNA replication, particularly using cryo-EM to visualize replication machinery. His work examines helicase loading and activation, replication fork stability under stress, and the connection between replication errors and cancer development. The research spans model organisms to human cells, with increasing emphasis on structural approaches in recent years. FRS (Fellow of the Royal Society) FMedSci (Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences) Diffley actively mentors a diverse team of postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, investigating various aspects of DNA replication. His lab has received substantial funding to support their work on replication mechanisms, with projects spanning basic biochemical reconstitution to studies of replication errors in cancer contexts. The lab maintains multiple technical platforms including structural biology, biochemistry, and cell biology approaches. His research group operates within The Francis Crick Institute's collaborative environment, utilizing shared facilities for structural biology, microscopy, and genomics to advance understanding of DNA replication mechanisms and their implications for genome stability and disease.
Maria Chikina is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's Department of Computational and Systems Biology. She holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from Princeton University. Her research focuses on developing computational methods to analyze large-scale genomic datasets, bridging statistical rigor with biological insights to overcome experimental biases. Key research areas include latent variable modeling (e.g., PLIER, CellCODE), interpretable neural networks for sequence-to-function modeling, evolutionary rate analysis (RERconverge), and applications in tumor immunology, exercise genomics, and infectious disease (e.g., SARS-CoV-2). Her lab has developed tools like InstaPrism, NIFA, and L0 segmentation for data-driven biological discovery. Her work spans collaborations with institutions like UPMC (on tumor microenvironment) and the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTraPAC). Notable projects include analyzing convergent evolution in marine mammals and subterranean species, and developing epigenetic biomarkers for disease states through the ECHO program. Lab members include PhD students (Rezwan Hosseini, Tugrul Balci) and postdocs (Tina Subic, Anish Sevekari). Past students Wynn Meyer now leads a group at Lehigh University. Her group emphasizes open-source tools (GitHub repository ChikinaLab) and interdisciplinary approaches to systems biology challenges.
Sarah Köster is a Full Professor at the University of Göttingen’s Institute for Cellular and Molecular Physiology of the Brain. She earned her PhD from the University of Göttingen under Prof. Stephan Herminghaus and completed postdoctoral research at Harvard University with Prof. David Weitz. Her career includes appointments as Junior Professor (2008-2011), Associate Professor (2011-2017), and Full Professor (since 2017). Research focuses on cellular biophysics, particularly cytoskeletal mechanics and intermediate filament dynamics. Key investigations include keratin plasticity, vimentin network mechanics, cytoskeletal crosstalk, and DNA organization during cell division. Her publications demonstrate expertise in nanoscale biomechanics, utilizing techniques like nanoindentation, X-ray diffraction, and advanced microscopy to probe cellular structures. Recent work emphasizes multiscale mechanical properties of cytoskeletal networks and their functional implications.
Michael J. Shelley is the Lilian and George Lyttle Professor of Applied Mathematics and holds joint appointments in Mathematics, Neural Science, and Mechanical Engineering at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. He also serves as Co-Director of the Applied Mathematics Laboratory and Director of the Center for Computational Biology at the Flatiron Institute. Education: PhD (Applied Mathematics) from the University of Arizona (1985), MS (Applied Mathematics) from the University of Arizona (1984), BA (Mathematics) from the University of Colorado (1981). Research: Focuses on complex phenomena in active matter, biophysics, and complex fluids. Key areas include fluid-structure interactions (e.g., swimming/flying mechanics), cytoskeletal dynamics, and collective behavior in biological systems. Collaborates closely with experimentalists through the Applied Math Lab and Flatiron Institute. Labs & Affiliations: Co-Director, Applied Mathematics Laboratory; Director, Center for Computational Biology (Simons Foundation); affiliated with NYU’s Courant Institute and Department of Mathematics. Notable Work: Models for microtubule-motor assemblies, active suspensions, and fluid-structure interactions. Pioneered computational frameworks for Stokes suspensions and fiber dynamics in viscous fluids.
Philip Boone, MD, PhD, is an Attending Physician in the Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital and an Instructor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. He specializes in medical genetics with particular expertise in rare disorders, medical mysteries, deletion and duplication syndromes, and Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Dr. Boone sees patients at Boston Children's Brookline location (2 Brookline Place, 7th Floor) and provides comprehensive genetic care including diagnostics, counseling, and individualized management. Stanford University (Undergraduate, 2006) Baylor College of Medicine (Graduate & Medical School, 2013-2014) Boston Combined Residency Program (Internship & Residency, 2016-2020) Harvard Medical School Genetics Training Program (Fellowship, 2020) Dr. Boone's research focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, chromatin regulation, and genetic diagnostics. His work spans from fundamental genetic mechanisms to clinical applications, with particular emphasis on cohesinopathies including Cornelia de Lange syndrome. He has contributed significantly to understanding genetic variants associated with growth disorders, developmental features, and structural chromosomal abnormalities. His research combines advanced genomic technologies with clinical insights to improve diagnosis and management of rare genetic conditions. Analysis of Dr. Boone's publication record reveals a strong focus on medical genetics with emphasis on neurodevelopmental disorders, chromatin regulation, and genetic diagnostics. His work spans basic research on gene function and regulation to clinical applications in rare disease diagnosis. A notable trend is his investigation of cohesin complex disorders, particularly SMC3 variants and their relationship to Cornelia de Lange syndrome. His publications demonstrate expertise in both traditional genetic analysis and cutting-edge genomic technologies including long-read sequencing and telomere-to-telomere assembly. Dr. Boone actively contributes to medical education through publications on genetic diagnostics and distance learning resources for medical genetics. He has co-authored educational materials that help advance the field's knowledge base and training capabilities. As an attending physician in the Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital and a research fellow in the Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Boone works within one of the largest pediatric genetics practices in the country. The division includes over 30 board-certified clinical geneticists, genetic counselors, dieticians, and nursing staff who provide comprehensive care for patients with both common and extremely rare genetic conditions.
Ueli Grossniklaus is an Ordinary Professor at the University of Zurich within the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences , affiliated with the Department of Plant and Microbiology . His work focuses on plant developmental biology, particularly epigenetic and genetic mechanisms governing reproduction and adaptation. Key Courses: Epigenetics, Plant Biology Workshop, Group Seminars on Current Research Laboratory Techniques: Advanced methods in plant cell mechanics, transcriptomics, and genome editing Research Interests span plant epigenetics, reproductive biology, and the interplay between environmental stress and genetic regulation. He investigates: Mechanistic control of gametogenesis and fertilization Epigenetic contributions to plant adaptation Evolutionary implications of asexual reproduction Biophysical forces in plant cell growth Publication Trends (2025–2018) reveal expertise in: Arabidopsis and fern model systems Epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation, histone dynamics) Apomixis and hybrid seed failure mechanisms Biomechanics of pollen tubes and carnivorous plants Genome editing tools (CRISPR) and long-read sequencing Scientific Collaborations include interdisciplinary projects on: Microfluidic devices for plant cell analysis Gene drive ecology and ethics 3D imaging of plant reproductive structures Advising and Grants focus on mentoring through research internships in developmental biology, genetics, and systems biology. His lab engages in: Epigenetic response to environmental stress Cell wall mechanics in reproduction Computational modeling of plant growth Laboratory Teams integrate plant biologists, bioengineers, and computational scientists to study: Mechanistic gene regulation Evolutionary developmental biology Microrobotics for cellular force measurement
Beat Fierz is an Associate Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Basic Sciences (SB), affiliated with the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC) and the Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry of Macromolecules (LCBM). He holds additional roles as Director of the Doctoral Program in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (EDCH) and oversees doctoral education within the SCGC teaching unit. His research focuses on chromatin dynamics, epigenetic regulation, and chemical biology approaches to study histone modifications and protein interactions. He has supervised over 14 PhD students and teaches courses in advanced chemistry and chemical biology. His work bridges molecular mechanisms of chromatin structure with cellular processes like DNA repair and transcriptional regulation. Research Interests: Dr. Fierz investigates how post-translational modifications of histones (e.g., ubiquitylation, acetylation) regulate chromatin compaction, silencing, and accessibility. He employs single-molecule techniques and chemical synthesis to reconstitute and analyze chromatin states, with applications in understanding epigenetic diseases, aging, and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing dynamics. Recent studies highlight mechanisms of HP1α-mediated heterochromatin assembly and pioneer transcription factor invasion into compact chromatin. Doctoral Program Leadership: As Director of the EDCH program, he oversees training in chemistry and chemical engineering, ensuring academic rigor and interdisciplinary collaboration. His lab collaborates extensively with EPFL's Chemical Biology NCCR and contributes to initiatives like the Chemical Biology Seminar Series. Lab & Teams: The LCBM lab uses innovative tools like 'MagIC beads' and semisynthetic nucleosomes to study chromatin modifications. Current projects include exploring how ubiquitin signals modulate DNA repair proteins and how histone aging impacts chromatin stability. Collaborations span biophysics, biochemistry, and synthetic chemistry.
Albert M. Berghuis is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine. His research focuses on structural mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and fungal pathogenesis using advanced techniques including X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and computational chemistry. His primary research interests include: Structural basis of antibiotic resistance mechanisms, particularly against aminoglycosides Development of novel antimicrobials through structure-based drug design Structural studies of fungal-specific metabolic pathways for antifungal drug discovery Enzyme mechanisms involving protein-small molecule interactions Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on structural elucidation of resistance mechanisms, with particular emphasis on aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes and fungal targets. His work bridges structural biology with therapeutic development, showing strong translational potential in combating antimicrobial resistance. Professor Berghuis maintains the Berghuis Lab with facilities in both the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building and the Francesco Bellini Life Sciences Building. His laboratory employs integrated structural biology approaches to tackle pressing problems in infectious disease treatment.
Amjad Javed is a Professor and Associate Dean at the University of Alabama at Birmingham , with primary appointments in the School of Dentistry - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and joint affiliations in Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology , Otolaryngology , and Biomedical Engineering . His research spans bone biology, cartilage development, and myeloma bone disease. PhD in Physiology (University of the Punjab, 2003) MS in Zoology/Animal Biology (University of the Punjab, 1992) Research Interests focus on transcriptional regulation via RUNX2 and Sp7 in skeletogenesis, vascular calcification mechanisms, epigenetic control of bone formation, and tumor-bone microenvironment interactions in multiple myeloma. Key subfields include endochondral ossification, osteoclast differentiation, and nanomatrix-based tissue engineering. Scientific Contributions include discoveries about RUNX2's role in postnatal bone resorption, λ5 protein's impact on skeletal aging, and heparanase's promotion of myeloma metastasis. His work demonstrates RUNX2's dual function in chondrocyte apoptosis and cartilage degradation. Teaching & Mentorship involves graduate committee service for over 15 students and instruction in courses like Connective Tissue and Bone , Oral & Skeletal Biology , and Journal Clubs . Collaborations span Comprehensive Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, Bone and Autoimmunity Center , Integrative Center for Aging Research , and Biomatrix Eng Regen Med Center .
