Alushin_Lab

Very excited to share our latest preprint, where we visualize the impact of force on the catch bonding actin crosslinker α-actinin-4. Led by @alfredcchin, a great collaboration with Glen Hocky's lab. biorxiv.org/content/10.648…

Cytoskeleton enthusiasts: join us for the Cytoskeletal Motors GRC, July 12-17, 2026, in Portland Maine. Abstracts submitted by April 5 will be considered for short talks. Please apply! bit.ly/4cWxvzj

Scientists in the @Alushin_Lab figured out how cells build a structure that lets them migrate. Unpacking these “finger-like” protein bundles that protrude from cells may lead to novel treatments for #metastasis. #RockefellerScience #YearInReview 🔗: bit.ly/3PKErmA

DNA nanodevice for analysis of force-activated protein extension and interactions. A tension-modulated #DNAorigami #nanosensor, compatible with bulk biochemical analysis in cell lysates, is used to assess the force-induced interaction of proteins. nature.com/articles/s4156…

🚨Today in @NatureComms: We resolve an enduring enigma in T cell biology—how TCR binding to p/HLA triggers intracellular signaling. CryoEM in native environment reveals a 'jack-in-the-box' mechanism! Collab btw @RockefellerUniv @MSKCancerCenter @parkerici rdcu.be/eUPPl

How do cells move, divide, and sense their surroundings? The answer lies in the cytoskeleton--and when it malfunctions, cancer and birth defects follow. @Alushin_Lab at @RockefellerUniv has developed new tools to probe this tiny, dynamic cell scaffolding. rockefeller.edu/news/38446-how…

nature.com/articles/s4156… The latest research article from the Ti Lab is finally out today in Nature Physics.

Applications for faculty positions at Rockefeller are now open! We are seeking exceptional, creative scientists to join our faculty. Learn more below: rockefeller.edu/facultysearch

Vought has ordered a halt on all extramural NIH funding for the rest of the FY. No words. You cannot let this stand @SenateDems @SenateGOP @NIHDirector_Jay @hubermanlab wsj.com/politics/polic… Trump Administration Puts New Chokehold on Billions in Health-Research

Congratulations to Rockefeller’s #classof2025!!! #PhDone 🔬🎉🧬

Keith Hamilton from the @Alushin_Lab at Rockefeller University gave a deep dive into the first step of any structural biological workflow: sample preparation. Through test cases he showed the balance of what is easily doable versus preserving biology. alushinlab.rockefeller.edu/people/Keith%2…

New study in @ScienceAdvances: the Alushin lab shows how afadin strengthens cytoskeletal engagement by the cadherin-catenin cell adhesion complex. Dysregulated afadin expression has been associated with carcinogenesis and cancer metastasis.science.org/doi/10.1126/sc…

science.org/doi/10.1126/sc… Just published! We uncovered a molecular machine that connects the cell's two major structural networks revealing how cells accomplish precise internal reorganization - a process disrupted in diseases ranging from cancer to multiple sclerosis.

Congrats to Rui, as well as co-authors @mattabolic_rate and @XiaoyuSun_LIM. A relink to our original preprint is below. bit.ly/4hEqsuQ

The first author, Rui Gong, is opening his lab at the Shenzhen University of Advanced Science and Technology as a newly minted assistant professor. Anyone interested in structural biology / cytoskeleton research opportunities in China should reach out!

Some happy news. Pleased to see our paper showing how afadin strengthens cytoskeletal engagement by the cadherin-catenin cell adhesion complex out in @ScienceAdvances : bit.ly/3EFpD6h

Finally, here is a relink to our original preprint. Congrats to first author Donovan Phua and co-author @XiaoyuSun_LIM ! bit.ly/4hTTCFL

Also, this work was completely funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIGMS, and an NHLBI fellowship to first author Donovan Phua). Federal support makes fundamental science like this possible, a foundation for the next generation of therapies to improve human health.

Jazzed to join the cool kids club and have our paper reporting the reconstitution of zyxin-mediated repair of contractile actin networks appear in @CurrentBiology ! bit.ly/41enkjo