Sabine Petry

Sabine Petry is an Associate Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, with associated appointments in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute. She earned an M.S. in Biochemistry from Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main (2003), and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge (2007). Her research focuses on the molecular architecture and function of the microtubule cytoskeleton, particularly how cells establish specific microtubule arrangements for division, organelle positioning, and force generation.

• Education:
  • M.S., Biochemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (2003)
  • Ph.D., Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, UK (2007)

Her lab employs biophysical methods, X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and advanced light microscopy to dissect microtubule nucleation and organization. Recent work highlights include the role of HURP in spindle assembly, branching microtubule nucleation driven by TPX2 condensates, and the interplay between RanGTP gradients and microtubule network architecture. Key publications address spindle pole stabilization, microtubule lattice dynamics, and phase separation mechanisms.

Scientific awards include the Packard Fellowship (2014-2019), Pew Scholar (2014-2016), Kimmel Scholar (2014-2016), NIH Pathway to Independence Award (2012-2016), EMBO Long-term Fellowship (2008), FEBS Young Scientist Prize (2007), and Max Perutz Student Prize (2005). She is an advisor to Ph.D. student Ryan MacElroy.