Research

 

The Prigozhin lab does collaborative and interdisciplinary work in the area of single-cell and single-molecule biophysics of transmembrane signaling via G-protein-coupled receptors. We also develop methods in time-resolved cryo-vitrification and various types of electron and optical microscopy. Our experimental efforts are often accompanied by theoretical and computational work including stochastic modeling, inference, and statistical analysis.

 

Understanding the spatiotemporal logic of cellular information processing

 

Keywords: Transmembrane signaling; Cellular stress response; G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)


CellsThroughout their lives, biological cells integrate millions of dynamic, sparse, and even conflicting environmental cues to make key decisions: proliferate or differentiate, migrate or stay put, live or die. To accomplish these tasks, cells use molecular information processing modules. We focus on visualizing the spatial organization and temporal dynamics of these molecular signal processing modules .

 

To capture cell signaling in situ, we are developing molecular probes and instrumentation for hybrid light and electron microscopy methods and building biophysical tools for time-resolved cryo-vitrification. We are using these tools to visualize the nanoscale motions involved in cell signaling and thereby understand the mechanisms of signaling selectivity.

 

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Time-resolved cryo-vitrification:cryo

 

Keywords: Cryo-EM; Cryo-plunging; High-pressure freezing

 

Cell signaling involves orchestrated motions of proteins and membranes triggered by a stimulus (e.g., addition of a hormone or a drug). To capture these motions, we are developing tools that will allow freezing biological samples at ultrafast time delays following stimulation for subsequent super-resolved optical and electron imaging. We are using these tools to capture transient molecular interactions involved in cell signaling.

 

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Multicolor electron microscopy:

 

CLKeywords: Super-resolution imaging; Single molecules; Electron microscopy

 

We are developing a method for single-molecule multicolor electron microscopy that uses inorganic nanoparticles as luminescent protein tags. Under excitation by an electron beam, these nanoparticles emit light via a process known as cathodoluminescence. Such "cathodophores" will allow visualizing the cellular ultrastructure and individual proteins in a single experiment. We are using this method to study how cell membranes facilitate compartmentalization of signaling proteins.