The Gradinaru Lab

Spencer Smyth
Position: Postdoctoral researcher
Project: Using biophysical data and computations to estimate conformational ensembles of a disordered protein complex
Background:Spencer obtained his Bachelor degree at UTM, majoring in Physics and Chemistry. After completing his Master in 2018, he continued as a PhD student working on intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). His research focused on the 4E-BP2 protein and its phosphorylation-regulated folding/binding to the translation initiation factor eIF4E. Spencer defended his PhD thesis in Aug. 2024, and he is now working on using complementary structural data to obtain an experimentally-restrained ensemble of the dynamic and disordered 4E-BP2:eIF4E complex. Outside the lab, Spencer enjoys playing musical instruments, weightlifting, powersports and outdoors.

Xiaohan Zhou
Position: PhD Student
Project: The Quaternary Organization and Interaction Dynamics of GPCRs in Live Cells
Background: Xiaohan obtained his Bachelor degree at Nanjing University, majoring in Physics. He joined the Gradinaru group in the Fall of 2020 as a PhD student working on the muscarinic receptors, which are part of the Class A of G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRS). The goal is to measure the their dynamic spatial distribution and interaction kinetics with G proteins in live cells. He will map out trajectories of individual proteins to quantify their diffusion properties, by combining single-molecule fluorescence techniques such as SPT, FCS and smFRET. Outside the lab, Xiaohan enjoys video games, reading and watching his favorite football team, Bayern Munich.

Maria Shemeteva
Position: PhD Student
Project: Studying Initial Steps of GPCR signalling via Single-Particle Tracking in Live Live Cells
Background: Maria obtained her Bachelor's degree at HSE University in Moscow, majoring in Physics. In the Fall of 2023, she joined the Gradinaru group to study GPCR signalling in live cells. She will use single-molecule techniques to study activation of G proteins (Go and Gs) and their regulation in cells, where expression levels, membrane rigidity and crowding are critical factors. Her goal is to address key questions about spatio-temporal regulation of siganlling bias through fromt eh perspective of the adenosine A2A receptor. Outside the lab, Maria enjoys reading, watching films, hiking and skiing (yes, she is crazy about mountains!).

Aiyan Brown
Position: MSc Student
Project: The Statistics of smFRET Broadening via Multi-parameter Experimental and Simulation Methods
Background: Aiyan obtained his Bachelor’s degree at UBC in Vancouver, with honours in physics. In the Summer of 2024, he joined the Gradinaru group as a MSc student to help implement pulsed interleaved excitation (PIE) in a multi-parameter single-molecule fluorecence (MP-SMF) microscope. He will study broadening phenomena in single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) experiments, with the goal to delineate the intrinsic structural dynamics of proteins and other biomolecules of interest. Outside of the lab, you can often find Aiyan in his boat fishing or in the gym weightlifting.

Xinge Liu
Position: MSc Student
Project: Shedding Light into the Physics of "Fuzzy" IDP Complexes
Background: Xinge obtained her Bachelor's degree from Beijing Institute of Technology, and obtained a MSc degree in Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, specializing in precision instrumentation. Joining the Gradinaru Lab in the Fall of 2024, she will focus on studying the disordered protein Sic1 from yeast. She will use advanced SMF techniques to explore the dynamic interaction of Sic1 with Cdc4 and contribute to understanding the physics of "fuzzy" disordered complexes. Outside the lab, Xinge enjoys reading, watching films and TV series, and cooking (in particular, delicious Basque cakes!).