Biophysical Imaging Lab

Precise gene regulation is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and developmental processes. Because gene expression is regulated in a real-time manner, it needs to be examined with spatio-temporal approach. Interaction between physical dynamics of genomic information harboring chromatin and the nuclear bodies are studied through fluorescence imaging in living cells. By fluorescence labeling of chromatin and capturing the proteins in nuclear bodies with super-resolution imaging, we investigated how their interaction influences gene expression. We investigated the relationship between the Integrator complex and transcriptional condensates. Transcriptional condensates are formed at activated gene loci. INTS11 depletion results in production of longer, more abundant eRNAs. Under an “RNA-mediated condensate regulation” model, these aberrant eRNAs could modulate Mediator condensation. Our imaging data revealed direct co-localization among Integrator, Pol II condensates, and Mediator condensates. We are currently investigating how transcriptional condensates change depending on Integrator endonuclease activity. We investigate how the coordination between mitochondria and stress granules (SGs) orchestrates cellular adaptation to environmental stress. By examining the role of mitochondrial dynamics in SG fusion and maturation, we have uncovered a survival mechanism for maintaining cellular integrity under adverse conditions. Currently, we are focused on elucidating the specific molecular mechanisms underlying SG–mitochondria contact sites. We explore the active role of vimentin in cellular protein quality control (PQC). By integrating advanced spatiotemporal imaging, we investigate the organizational principles of misfolded proteins. Our goal is to uncover conserved d