More broadly, they suggest that phase separation may serve as a sensing and actuation mechanism to ensure proper expression of developmental regulators under seasonally appropriate conditions.

Additionally, we found that SUF4 condensates can colocalize with other known FLC regulators, including FRI and ELF7. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that SUF4 phase separation provides a physical mechanism for regulating FLC expression and flowering.

By progressively altering SUF4’s phase behavior, we found that we could tune SUF4's ability to bind the FLC promoter, modulate FLC transcription, and ultimately flowering time.

TL;DR: We show that the IDP SUF4 forms temperature-dependent nuclear condensates in plants that correlate with transcriptional activation of the floral repressor FLC.

Manipulating condensation of thermo-sensitive SUF4 protein tunes flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana Meyer et al. present evidence that protein liquid-liquid phase separation may serve as a physical mechanism for coordinating plant development and flowering time with environmental seasonality.

Our SUF4 condensation paper is finally out! cell.com/cell-reports... Thank you to everyone who has scientifically, mentally, and emotionally supported my co-authors and me over the years. Below is a summary of the work-- we hope you enjoy our findings!

Postdoctoral Researcher - Epigenetics & Cell Fate in Plants The Kim Lab in the Department of Biology at Syracuse University is seeking a curious and creative Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team. We study how epigenetic and genetic states shape cell fate d...

Calling all plant cell and molecular biologists! My colleague Dr. Eundeok Kim is looking to hire a creative postdoc to investigate how epigenetic and genetic states shape cell fate decisions in plants! www.sujobopps.com/postings/108...

Happy New Year! Looking forward to doing some science with you all!

Reminder that if disordered proteins are your thing, this starter pack exists (and I try to update it as best I can as new folks reach out/I see them!) 🍝

go.bsky.app/J23B51L

Are you interested in the role of protein condensation in plant biology? Come work with me at Syracuse University!

Are you interested in the role of protein condensation in plant biology? Come work with me at Syracuse University!