Biophysics

Seeing in the Dark: Intelligent Fourier Light Field Imaging for Bioluminescence Microscopy

1. Luis Felipe Morales Curiel
2. Aaron Kreis
3. Michael Krieg

Reviewed by PREreview

Unbend, correction of local beam-induced sample motion in cryo-EM images using a 3D spline model

1. Lingli Kong
2. Ximena Zottig
3. Johannes Elferich
4. Nikolaus Grigorieff

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This paper describes Unbend - a new method for measuring and correcting motions in cryo-EM images, with a particular emphasis on more challenging in situ samples such as lamellae and whole cells. The method, which fits a B-spline model using cross-correlation-based local patch alignment of micrograph frames, represents an important tool for the cryo-EM community. The authors elegantly use 2D template matching to provide convincing evidence that Unbend outperforms the previously reported method of Unblur by the same authors. Comparison to alternative programs for motion correction shows smaller gains, but with interesting differences between data sets.

Reviewed by eLife

Detergent-Triggered Membrane Remodelling Monitored via Intramembrane Fluorescence De-Quenching

1. Claudia M. F. Andrews
2. Christopher M. Hofmair
3. Lauryn Roberts
4. Emily James
5. Katie Morris
6. Kevin Kramm
7. Mark C. Leake
8. Yue Wang
9. Steven D. Quinn

Reviewed by preLights

Dynamic architecture of mycobacterial outer membranes revealed by all-atom simulations

1. Turner P Brown
2. Matthieu Chavent
3. Wonpil Im

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  In their study, Brown et. al. provide an important advance in understanding the architecture of the mycobacterial outer membrane. Using all-atom simulations of model mycomembranes, the work reports compelling structural insights into how α-mycolic acids and outer leaflet lipids (PDIM and PAT) shape membrane organisation. The work revealed membrane heterogeneity with ordered inner leaflets and disordered outer leaflets that provide a molecular explanation for the resilience of the mycobacterial envelope.

Reviewed by eLife

Interrogating the structure and function of the human voltage-gated proton channel (hHv1) with a fluorescent noncanonical amino acid

1. Emerson M Carmona
2. William N Zagotta
3. Sharona E Gordon

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This important study presents a convincing methodological approach to probe the structural features of the full-length human Hv1 channel as a purified protein. The method is supported by rigorous biochemical assays and spectral FRET analysis, which will interest biophysicists and physiologists studying Hv1 and other ion channels and membrane proteins. Overall, the work introduces an interesting labeling strategy and provides a methodology that is of value in investigating hHV1 in particular and can be extended to other ion channels. The authors also provide preliminary observations regarding conformational changes induced by zinc.

Reviewed by eLife

Transforming a fragile protein helix into an ultrastable scaffold via a hierarchical AI and chemistry framework

1. Jun Qiu
2. Guojin Tang
3. Tianfu Feng
4. Bin Zheng
5. Yuanhao Liu
6. Peng Zheng

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This important work describes systematic computational and experimental approaches to turn a moderately stable α-helical bundle into a very stable fold. The authors advance our understanding of α-helix stabilization providing a convenient framework that has general implications for the protein design field. The main claims have convincing support through a sound methodology, with strong specific conclusions for designing mechanically, thermally, and chemically stable α-helical bundles.

Reviewed by eLife

Enhanced bacterial chemotaxis in confined microchannels occurs at lane widths matching circular swimming radius

1. Caijuan Yue
2. Chi Zhang
3. Rongjing Zhang
4. Junhua Yuan

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This important work examines the effects of side-wall confinement on chemotaxis of swimming bacteria in a shallow microfluidic channel. The authors present convincing experimental evidence, combined with geometric analysis and numerical simulations of simplified models, showing that chemotaxis is enhanced when the distance between the side walls is comparable to the intrinsic radius of chiral circular swimming near open surfaces. This study should be of interest to scientists specializing in bacteria-surface interactions.

Reviewed by eLife

Should I stay or should I go? Spatiotemporal dynamics of bacterial biofilms in confined flows

1. Massinissa Benbelkacem
2. Gabriel Ramos
3. Fatima El Garah
4. Yara Abidine
5. Christine Roques
6. Yohan Davit

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This important study combines microfluidic experiments with mathematical modeling to elucidate the reciprocal interplay between flow dynamics and biofilm growth and detachment. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model organism, the authors identify several key regimes and stages of biofilm development. Overall, the comparison between experimental observations of biofilm behavior under varying flow conditions and corresponding theoretical predictions forms a compelling understanding of the processes involved in biofilm dynamics. The results will be of interest to researchers studying biofilms and their technological and biological applications.

Reviewed by eLife

Adaptor protein supersaturation drives innate immune signaling and cell fate

1. Alejandro Rodriguez Gama
2. Tayla Miller
3. Shriram Venkatesan
4. Jeffrey J Lange
5. Jianzheng Wu
6. Xiaoqing Song
7. William D Bradford
8. Malcolm Cook
9. Jay R Unruh
10. Randal Halfmann

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This important study investigates the self-assembly activity of all 109 human death-fold domains. The data collected using advanced microscopy and distributed amphifluoric FRET-based flow cytometry methods are compelling to support the "phase change battery" model that explains how signal amplification can occur without ATP consumption. This paper provides new insight into the thermodynamic control of protein phase behaviors within cells and will be of interest to those studying a variety of biological pathways involved in inflammatory responses and various forms of cell death.

Reviewed by eLife

Multi-barrier unfolding of the double-knotted protein, TrmD–Tm1570, revealed by single-molecule force spectroscopy and molecular dynamics

1. Fernando Bruno da Silva
2. Szymon Niewieczerzal
3. Iwona Lewandowska
4. Mateusz Fortunka
5. Maciej Sikora
6. Laura-Marie Silbermann
7. Katarzyna Tych
8. Joanna I Sulkowska

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This study investigates the folding and unfolding behavior of the doubly knotted protein TrmD-Tm1570, providing insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying protein knotting. The findings reveal multiple unfolding pathways and suggest that the formation of double knots may require chaperone assistance, offering valuable insights into topologically complex proteins. The evidence is convincing, supported by consistent agreement between simulation and experiment, though some aspects of the presentation and experimental scope could be clarified or expanded.

Reviewed by eLife