Video Killed the Biochemistry Star
First rule of science: collecting microscopy data is much more entertaining than turning it into publication—quality files. So we often…don’t. We hope that our cell phone videos are just as illuminating? See the embedded videos or visit our highly influenced and socially tiktaked Youtubing account:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfIO5cab4BzeNBvs-2knIZQ/videos
Page 1 (Linked, Cytoplasmic RNA granules)
Page 2 (Linked, Nuclear RNA bodies)
Page 3 (Linked, Multinucleated syncytia)
Page 4 (Below, Miscellaneous live cell time lapses)
Human U2OS cells expressing fluorescent membrane proteins. Macropinocytic vesicles form following plating (see initial formation of 2D membrane and maturation to 3D vesicle).
Fluorescent membrane marker in U2OS cells. Macropinosomes are readily observed post-plating. This one is neat: it hesitates following entry then disappears into the night.
Somehow we froze this human cell and caused it to explode. Could never replicate this observation. Some perfect combination of speckle optogenetics, UV light, and Hoechst dye. Bright field shown.
Apilimod, a PIKFYVE inhibitor, induces lysosome hypertrophy in human U2OS cells. Very metal.
Human U2OS G3BP1/2 knockout cells expressing G3BP1 DelNTF2 Corelets (green, ferritin Core oligomerization platform; red, DelNTF2 optogenetic bait). Here, cells are pre-treated with actinomycin D (12-hours), which blocks RNA transcription. In the absence of RNA, G3BP has no choice but to switch its binding preference from RNA to microtubules. Kinda sad, G3! Stick to what you're good at: RNA-binding!
FUS IDR Corelets in human U2OS cells: the origin of all this optogenetic jazz (nothing interesting from a physiological perspective is present within them besides ferritin oligomerization core platform, green, and FUS IDR bait, red). FUS IDR Corelets are a bit harder to study in cytoplasm relative to nucleus (see Bracha et al., Cell, 2018), as toxicity is a obstacle for large droplet formation following stable expression. But, the high partitioning into the droplets is quite beautiful. Watch the stars emerge from the abyss, following activation with blue light!