Alex Johnson

Alex Johnson is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at Brandeis University, where he leads research on molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death and immune defense across diverse organisms. His work bridges structural biology, microbiology, and evolutionary immunology to uncover fundamental principles of host-pathogen conflicts.

Education:

• B.A. from Reed College
• Ph.D. from Stanford University

Dr. Johnson's research centers on pore-forming proteins—particularly gasdermins—that execute programmed cell death during pathogen defense. His laboratory employs cryo-EM, crystallography, and biochemical assays to determine how these proteins form membrane pores, sense infection, and have evolved across the tree of life. Key discoveries include identifying bacterial gasdermins that defend against bacteriophages, revealing deep evolutionary conservation of cell death machinery. Current projects explore structural dynamics of pore assembly and engineering pore-forming proteins for therapeutic applications.

Recent publications (2019-2024) demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory focused on structural characterization of gasdermin proteins across bacterial and mammalian systems. The work integrates cryo-EM visualization with functional microbiology to establish evolutionary links between bacterial anti-phage defenses and mammalian pyroptosis, highlighting conserved mechanisms of membrane pore formation and pathogen sensing.

Scientific Awards:

• Life Science Research Foundation Fellowship (Harvard Medical School, 2021–2024)
• National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship (Stanford University, 2014–2017)
• Rita Allen Scholar of the Rita Allen Foundation (Brandeis University, 2025–2030)

As Principal Investigator, Dr. Johnson mentors graduate students in Brandeis' Biochemistry and Biophysics and Molecular and Cell Biology programs. His research is supported by prestigious fellowships including the Rita Allen Scholar award, which funds innovative work on structural immunology and host-pathogen interactions. The laboratory actively seeks new approaches to translate fundamental discoveries about pore-forming proteins into therapeutic applications.

The Johnson Lab operates from Volen National Center for Complex Systems (Room 407) and leverages Brandeis' Louise Mashal Gabbay Cellular Visualization and Electron Microscopy Center for high-resolution structural studies. The team collaborates across microbiology, immunology, and structural biology disciplines to investigate immune mechanisms in bacteria, fungi, and archaea.