Happy to share our paper’s final version on the evolution, structure, and membrane binding / remodeling of Asgard ESCRT-III proteins! And my first 🦋 post! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Asgard archaea reveal the conserved principles of ESCRT-III membrane remodeling
Asgard archaea have two ESCRT-III subunits with the conserved traits that drive stepwise membrane remodeling in eukaryotes.
www.science.org
February 8, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Happy to share our paper’s final version on the evolution, structure, and membrane binding / remodeling of Asgard ESCRT-III proteins! And my first 🦋 post! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Very glad to see our story on the choreography of #ESCRT proteins in #archaeal cell division finally published in mBio - Junfeng Liu et al "A relay race of ESCRT-III paralogs drives cell division in a hyperthermophilic archaeon" journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
December 21, 2024 at 6:46 PM
Very glad to see our story on the choreography of #ESCRT proteins in #archaeal cell division finally published in mBio - Junfeng Liu et al "A relay race of ESCRT-III paralogs drives cell division in a hyperthermophilic archaeon" journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
2470m down - tracking the bottom. The sediment is flat with large spirals drawn by worms in the mud. Anyone thinking Escrt-III?
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
2470m down - tracking the bottom. The sediment is flat with large spirals drawn by worms in the mud. Anyone thinking Escrt-III?
Hot off the press, first PI paper 🎉. Reporting a novel protein (VIA1) involved in thylakoid membrane biogenesis. VIA1 (similar to ESCRT-II) and bind to chloroplast ESCRT-III (VIPP1). Showing a direct role of VIPP1 in thylakoid biogenesis.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/msrepdna
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/msrepdna
October 14, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Hot off the press, first PI paper 🎉. Reporting a novel protein (VIA1) involved in thylakoid membrane biogenesis. VIA1 (similar to ESCRT-II) and bind to chloroplast ESCRT-III (VIPP1). Showing a direct role of VIPP1 in thylakoid biogenesis.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/msrepdna
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/msrepdna
New research on ancient Asgard archaeal ESCRT-III proteins reveals evolutionary secrets of membrane remodelling.
Diorge Souza, Javier Espadas and Sami Chaaban, investigated the ESCRT-III proteins with Buzz Baum and Aurelien Roux.
Read more: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/asgard-archa...
#LMBResearch (1/2)
Diorge Souza, Javier Espadas and Sami Chaaban, investigated the ESCRT-III proteins with Buzz Baum and Aurelien Roux.
Read more: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/asgard-archa...
#LMBResearch (1/2)
February 11, 2025 at 12:46 PM
New research on ancient Asgard archaeal ESCRT-III proteins reveals evolutionary secrets of membrane remodelling.
Diorge Souza, Javier Espadas and Sami Chaaban, investigated the ESCRT-III proteins with Buzz Baum and Aurelien Roux.
Read more: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/asgard-archa...
#LMBResearch (1/2)
Diorge Souza, Javier Espadas and Sami Chaaban, investigated the ESCRT-III proteins with Buzz Baum and Aurelien Roux.
Read more: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/asgard-archa...
#LMBResearch (1/2)
New preprint from the lab!!🎉
We show that Asgard archaea ESCRT-III proteins can trigger membrane fission and reveal its molecular mechanism, offering clues to how these cells may have built internal compartments. But do these organisms even have these compartments?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We show that Asgard archaea ESCRT-III proteins can trigger membrane fission and reveal its molecular mechanism, offering clues to how these cells may have built internal compartments. But do these organisms even have these compartments?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Molecular basis for cellular compartmentalization by an ancient membrane fission mechanism
The emergence of cell compartmentalization depends on membrane fission to create the endomembrane compartments. In eukaryotes, membrane fission is commonly executed by ESCRT-III, a protein complex con...
www.biorxiv.org
December 1, 2025 at 9:09 AM
New preprint from the lab!!🎉
We show that Asgard archaea ESCRT-III proteins can trigger membrane fission and reveal its molecular mechanism, offering clues to how these cells may have built internal compartments. But do these organisms even have these compartments?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We show that Asgard archaea ESCRT-III proteins can trigger membrane fission and reveal its molecular mechanism, offering clues to how these cells may have built internal compartments. But do these organisms even have these compartments?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
💡New Preprint!
How does a cell control which way a membrane bends?
ESCRT-III has the remarkable ability to reshape membranes and drive reverse-topology fission, yet a fundamental question has remained: what determines the direction of membrane remodeling?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
How does a cell control which way a membrane bends?
ESCRT-III has the remarkable ability to reshape membranes and drive reverse-topology fission, yet a fundamental question has remained: what determines the direction of membrane remodeling?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Direction of ESCRT-III-dependent membrane bending emerges from bilayer asymmetry
In cells, ESCRT-III is unique in mediating fission of membrane necks from inside, a process called reverse-topology fission. Yet, in vitro, the complex primarily assembles outside membrane necks and m...
www.biorxiv.org
July 27, 2026 at 6:51 AM
💡New Preprint!
How does a cell control which way a membrane bends?
ESCRT-III has the remarkable ability to reshape membranes and drive reverse-topology fission, yet a fundamental question has remained: what determines the direction of membrane remodeling?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
How does a cell control which way a membrane bends?
ESCRT-III has the remarkable ability to reshape membranes and drive reverse-topology fission, yet a fundamental question has remained: what determines the direction of membrane remodeling?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Very proud to see this paper out. This is an incredible collaboration with the labs of Wes Sundquist and Adam Frost. @uofubiochem.bsky.social @kingslsm.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
ESCRT-III assembles around mis-segregated DNA to protect genome stability - Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
The authors show that persistent ultrafine DNA bridges become coated by membranes and the ESCRT-III proteins CHMP1B and IST1, which protect the genome within from damage.
www.nature.com
July 15, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Very proud to see this paper out. This is an incredible collaboration with the labs of Wes Sundquist and Adam Frost. @uofubiochem.bsky.social @kingslsm.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Now out in NSMB for those who missed our biorxiv back in 2023.. bacterial ESCRT-III-like #Vipp1 forms dynamic spiral filaments on membrane! Spirals are springs that drive 3D ring formation in the spiral centre! 😵💫 wonderful collaboration with Adai Colom’s lab and @rouxlab.bsky.social
rdcu.be/dZSPQ
rdcu.be/dZSPQ
November 11, 2024 at 10:09 PM
Now out in NSMB for those who missed our biorxiv back in 2023.. bacterial ESCRT-III-like #Vipp1 forms dynamic spiral filaments on membrane! Spirals are springs that drive 3D ring formation in the spiral centre! 😵💫 wonderful collaboration with Adai Colom’s lab and @rouxlab.bsky.social
rdcu.be/dZSPQ
rdcu.be/dZSPQ
Bridging the lipid divide: archaeal ESCRT-III binds phosphoinositol and polarises the cytokinetic membrane www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org
April 21, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Bridging the lipid divide: archaeal ESCRT-III binds phosphoinositol and polarises the cytokinetic membrane www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Structural mechanism of nuclear membrane sealing by LEM2-ESCRT-III https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.01.748678v1
September 3, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Structural mechanism of nuclear membrane sealing by LEM2-ESCRT-III https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.01.748678v1
The Asgard archaeal ESCRT-III system forms helical filaments with features of both bacterial and eukaryotic ESCRT systems, and remodels eukaryotic-like membranes
Natalie Elia, Carsten Sachse @sachsegroup.bsky.social and coworkers
www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....
Natalie Elia, Carsten Sachse @sachsegroup.bsky.social and coworkers
www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....
January 9, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The Asgard archaeal ESCRT-III system forms helical filaments with features of both bacterial and eukaryotic ESCRT systems, and remodels eukaryotic-like membranes
Natalie Elia, Carsten Sachse @sachsegroup.bsky.social and coworkers
www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....
Natalie Elia, Carsten Sachse @sachsegroup.bsky.social and coworkers
www.embopress.org/doi/full/10....
So, we all know that VIPP1 (the Very Important Protein in Plants) is the "photosynthetic ESCRT-III", required for the biogenesis and maintenance of light-harvesting thylakoids. But what about ESCRT-II, you say? ...Meet VIA1! Congrats @mayankdu.bsky.social on your lab's first paper! #PlantScience 🧪 🌾
Hot off the press, first PI paper 🎉. Reporting a novel protein (VIA1) involved in thylakoid membrane biogenesis. VIA1 (similar to ESCRT-II) and bind to chloroplast ESCRT-III (VIPP1). Showing a direct role of VIPP1 in thylakoid biogenesis.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/msrepdna
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/msrepdna
October 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM
So, we all know that VIPP1 (the Very Important Protein in Plants) is the "photosynthetic ESCRT-III", required for the biogenesis and maintenance of light-harvesting thylakoids. But what about ESCRT-II, you say? ...Meet VIA1! Congrats @mayankdu.bsky.social on your lab's first paper! #PlantScience 🧪 🌾
Molecular structure of the ESCRT III-based archaeal CdvAB cell division machinery www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.15.676241v1 #cryoem
September 16, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Molecular structure of the ESCRT III-based archaeal CdvAB cell division machinery www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.15.676241v1 #cryoem
The Asgard archaeal ESCRT-III system forms helical filaments and remodels eukaryotic-like membranes pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39753954/
January 4, 2025 at 9:19 AM
The Asgard archaeal ESCRT-III system forms helical filaments and remodels eukaryotic-like membranes pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39753954/
Recently out! An awesome commentary on our (and others!) bacterial ESCRT-III work rdcu.be/ei98N - big thanks to John McCullough and Wes Sundquist for this. And of course big shout out to @natsmb.nature.com for the tasty cover!
April 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Recently out! An awesome commentary on our (and others!) bacterial ESCRT-III work rdcu.be/ei98N - big thanks to John McCullough and Wes Sundquist for this. And of course big shout out to @natsmb.nature.com for the tasty cover!
ESCRTs are repurposed when missegregated DNA persist during nuclear envelope reformation, at this point ESCRT-III binds this DNA and mounts the NoCut response to protect the genome
Very proud to see this paper out. This is an incredible collaboration with the labs of Wes Sundquist and Adam Frost. @uofubiochem.bsky.social @kingslsm.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
ESCRT-III assembles around mis-segregated DNA to protect genome stability - Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
The authors show that persistent ultrafine DNA bridges become coated by membranes and the ESCRT-III proteins CHMP1B and IST1, which protect the genome within from damage.
www.nature.com
July 15, 2026 at 9:39 AM
ESCRTs are repurposed when missegregated DNA persist during nuclear envelope reformation, at this point ESCRT-III binds this DNA and mounts the NoCut response to protect the genome
Looking forward to sharing our latest work on the ESCRT-III complex in Asgard archaea!
Hope to see many of you online!
Hope to see many of you online!
#membrane seminars are back this week with @javierespadas.bsky.social from the @rouxlab.bsky.social and Chris Burd from @yalecellbiology.bsky.social! Looking forward to seeing everyone online!
May 4, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Looking forward to sharing our latest work on the ESCRT-III complex in Asgard archaea!
Hope to see many of you online!
Hope to see many of you online!
ESCRT-III is an ancient complex, present in Archaea, with only two proteins and all membrane remodelling functions. Great work by @javierespadas.bsky.social, @diorgeps.bsky.social, @sami-c.bsky.social, thanks to the @buzzbaum.bsky.social lab! Drawing by Julie Polge.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
February 10, 2025 at 7:36 AM
ESCRT-III is an ancient complex, present in Archaea, with only two proteins and all membrane remodelling functions. Great work by @javierespadas.bsky.social, @diorgeps.bsky.social, @sami-c.bsky.social, thanks to the @buzzbaum.bsky.social lab! Drawing by Julie Polge.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
A minimal Asgard archaeal ESCRT-III system remodels membranes across scales
doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-10742307/v1
sciflow.eu?paper=1293004
doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-10742307/v1
sciflow.eu?paper=1293004
A minimal Asgard archaeal ESCRT-III system remodels membranes across scales
Research Square · 28 Aug 2026 — Abstract Cells remodel membranes across spatial scales, from cell division to nanoscale scission. In eukaryotes, ESCRT-III/Vps4 machineries remodel endosomal membranes ...
sciflow.eu
August 31, 2026 at 10:44 AM
A minimal Asgard archaeal ESCRT-III system remodels membranes across scales
doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-10742307/v1
sciflow.eu?paper=1293004
doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-10742307/v1
sciflow.eu?paper=1293004
In a new publication, Team Harper found that α-synuclein fibrils cause ESCRT-III loss through “collateral degradation,” weakening endolysosomes and promoting further aggregation🔬
🔗 Read the full #publication: bit.ly/4iPUayj
🔗 Read the full #publication: bit.ly/4iPUayj
December 16, 2025 at 4:08 PM
In a new publication, Team Harper found that α-synuclein fibrils cause ESCRT-III loss through “collateral degradation,” weakening endolysosomes and promoting further aggregation🔬
🔗 Read the full #publication: bit.ly/4iPUayj
🔗 Read the full #publication: bit.ly/4iPUayj
ICYMI: New online: ESCRT-III assembles around mis-segregated DNA to protect genome stability
ESCRT-III assembles around mis-segregated DNA to protect genome stability
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Published online: 15 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41594-026-01841-4The authors show that persistent ultrafine DNA bridges become coated by membranes and the ESCRT-III proteins CHMP1B and IST1, which protect the genome within from damage.
dlvr.it
July 16, 2026 at 10:16 AM
ICYMI: New online: ESCRT-III assembles around mis-segregated DNA to protect genome stability
❗️ Exciting review alert❗️focussing on the evolution and mechanism of prokaryotic ESCRT-III-like systems.. fun collaboration with Tom Williams @tweethinking.bsky.social!
doi.org/10.1016/j.sb...
doi.org/10.1016/j.sb...
July 14, 2025 at 5:19 PM
❗️ Exciting review alert❗️focussing on the evolution and mechanism of prokaryotic ESCRT-III-like systems.. fun collaboration with Tom Williams @tweethinking.bsky.social!
doi.org/10.1016/j.sb...
doi.org/10.1016/j.sb...
Javier has done beautiful work (following on from the study he did with Diorge Souza), showing how Asgard Escrt-III likely cut membranes. The answer: with Hofund.
New preprint from the lab!!🎉
We show that Asgard archaea ESCRT-III proteins can trigger membrane fission and reveal its molecular mechanism, offering clues to how these cells may have built internal compartments. But do these organisms even have these compartments?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We show that Asgard archaea ESCRT-III proteins can trigger membrane fission and reveal its molecular mechanism, offering clues to how these cells may have built internal compartments. But do these organisms even have these compartments?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Molecular basis for cellular compartmentalization by an ancient membrane fission mechanism
The emergence of cell compartmentalization depends on membrane fission to create the endomembrane compartments. In eukaryotes, membrane fission is commonly executed by ESCRT-III, a protein complex con...
www.biorxiv.org
December 1, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Javier has done beautiful work (following on from the study he did with Diorge Souza), showing how Asgard Escrt-III likely cut membranes. The answer: with Hofund.
Excited to share our new review on ESCRT-III! If you're intrigued by how cells keep their membranes in shape, this one's for you 🌀✂️
New Online! ESCRT-III function in membrane fission and repair
ESCRT-III function in membrane fission and repair
Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 26 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41580-025-00909-1The endosomal sorting complex required for transport machinery supports key cellular functions including cell division, autophagy and membrane repair. This Review presents recent mechanistic and structural insights into the assembly and remodelling of endosomal sorting complex required for transport complexes in different cellular contexts.
bit.ly
November 27, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Excited to share our new review on ESCRT-III! If you're intrigued by how cells keep their membranes in shape, this one's for you 🌀✂️