Protein Self-Organization Lab

Disorder, Order, and Life

Life arises from the organization of disordered matter into ordered, functional structures. Within cells, this organization is achieved not only through membrane-bound organelles but also through the remarkable ability of proteins to self-organize into membrane-less macromolecular assemblies. These structures compartmentalize biochemical reactions, coordinate cellular responses, and enable adaptation to changing environments.

Protein self-organization encompasses a broad spectrum of phenomena, including phase separation, aggregation, and amyloid formation. Through these processes, proteins can transition between soluble, condensed, and highly ordered states, reorganizing the cellular environment and creating new functional states. Increasing evidence reveals that these processes are fundamental regulators of cellular physiology and that their dysregulation is implicated in aging and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Our research group seeks to uncover the principles that govern protein self-organization across this spectrum of functional and pathological assemblies. We aim to understand:
(1) what forms of protein self-organization exist in cells, (2) how they are assembled and regulated, (3) what physiological functions they perform, and (4) how their dysfunction contributes to aging and disease.

We study these questions primarily in the contexts of immunity and aging. Specifically, we investigate how immune proteins self-organize to sense danger, coordinate inflammatory responses, and maintain tissue homeostasis. In parallel, we also study how protein self-organization regulates cellular metabolism and physiology during aging, and how age-associated changes in these processes contribute to neurodegenerative diseases and other pathologies. To address these questions, we apply a highly interdisciplinary approach, combining cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular engineering, including advanced imaging, protein reconstitution, and microfluidic technologies. By integrating concepts from the life and physical sciences, we seek to uncover the fundamental principles that govern the organization of living matter. Ultimately, our goal is to understand how protein self-organization shapes cellular function in health and disease and to leverage this knowledge to develop new strategies for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of human disease.