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shawnferguson.bsky.social

@shawnferguson.bsky.social
1.2K followers 476 following 117 posts

Cell Biologist and Neuroscientist at Yale University. Outdoor explorer.

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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Loon visited this morning
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
New to me. Painted trillium. Colton, NY
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Journal of Cell Biology @jcb.org · 30/04/2026
A pressure relief valve for #lysosomes. @laylanassar.bsky.social and @shawnferguson.bsky.social @yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social discuss Kim et al.’s new study (doi.org/10.1083/jcb....): rupress.org/jcb/article-...
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Rainy night friend
Spotted salamander crossing roads on rainy night
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Journal of Cell Biology @jcb.org · 23/04/2026
@laylanassar.bsky.social & @shawnferguson.bsky.social @yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social discuss Kim et al.’s study (doi.org/10.1083/jcb....) showing that TMEM63A protects #lysosomes from rupture by acting as a pressure relief valve when membrane tension rises. rupress.org/jcb/article/...
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
It was a pleasure to work with @laylanassar.bsky.social to highlight this paper from @spencerfreeman.bsky.social and colleagues that shows how lysosomes can adapt in response to increased membrane tension
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
How do lysosomes rapidly adapt to membrane tension to avoid bursting? In this article, @laylanassar.bsky.social and I highlight discoveries from Angela Kim, Spencer Freeman and colleagues who show a role for TMEM63A, a mechanosensitive cation channel in protecting lysosomes doi.org/10.1083/jcb....
doi.org
A pressure relief valve for lysosomes
Nassar and Ferguson discuss work from Kim et al. showing that TMEM63A protects lysosomes from rupture by acting as a pressure relief valve when membrane te
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Spotted salamander eggs in a vernal pool. Killingworth, CT
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
My friends are out and about again! Spring has officially sprung in Connecticut! 🦎
Red eft salamander Tiny salamander in palm of hand
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Last “ice neurons” of the year? Near Tupper Lake, NY last week
Ice patterns
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
There are still spots available (get them while they last) for the 2026 Lysosomes and Endocytosis GRC (June 14-19, 2026). APPLY NOW if you are interested. Newcomers to the field or old friends, everyone is welcome! www.grc.org/lysosomes-an...
Proctor Academy
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Stephen Royle @steveroyle.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Vaults. They are cell biology's greatest puzzle! This preprint from Martin Beck's lab shows them docked on ER membranes with a ribosome inside. What on earth is going on there?? #CellBiology #WTFology www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
The vault associates with membranes in situ
The eukaryotic vault particle is a giant ribonucleoprotein complex that assembles into an iconic barrel-like cage. Its cellular function has remained elusive despite extensive characterization. Using ...
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Yale Cell Biology @yalecellbiology.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Congratulations to Amanda Bentley-DeSousa of the Ferguson lab for her paper being selected as one of JCB’s most impactful papers of 2025! @shawnferguson.bsky.social
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
We have a great lineup of invited speakers, with many additional speaking slots to be filled from submitted abstracts. If you have exciting new work or a desire to swim here, please apply early.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
I am excited to be co-organizing the 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Lysosomes & Endocytosis continuing a community tradition that has now spanned more than 50 years. www.grc.org/lysosomes-an...
grc.org
2026 Lysosomes and Endocytosis Conference GRC
The 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Lysosomes and Endocytosis will be held in Andover, New Hampshire. Apply today to reserve your spot.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
New research led by Devin Clegg that defines how lysosome swelling and lysosome deacidification evoke distinct routes for LRRK2 activation: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
doi.org
LRRK2 integrates Rab and GABARAP interactions to sense and respond to distinct lysosomal stresses
Increased activity of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is an important risk factor for Parkinson’s disease. LRRK2 localizes to lysosomal membranes, and changes in lysosome physiology are emerging ...
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Journal of Cell Biology @jcb.org · 04/12/2025
Bentley-DeSousa, Roczniak-Ferguson and @shawnferguson.bsky.social reveal converging roles of STING and #lysosome damage in activating LRRK2 at #lysosomes via interactions between LRRK2 & GABARAP rupress.org/jcb/article/... 📕 From The Year In Cell Biology: rupress.org/jcb/collecti... #CellBio2025
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Aligning Science Across Parkinson's @asapresearch.parkinsonsroadmap.org · 12/08/2025
CRN Team De Camilli reveals a new molecular mechanism that regulates cystine efflux from lysosomes. This work is relevant to #Parkinsons research, as recent studies show JIP4 is downstream of LRRK2. 🔗 Read their #preprint: bit.ly/4l8zCkf ✏️ @shawnferguson.bsky.social @laylanassar.bsky.social
JIP4 KO proximal tubular lysosomes are mislocalized towards the basolateral membrane and contain storage material.
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Parkinson's Foundation Research @pfresearchteam.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
📖Read the latest Advancing Research blog about the impact the @parkinsondotorg.bsky.social 2019 Research Center Award had on PD research at Yale University. @schandralab.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social @pdc-lab.bsky.social @yaleneuro.bsky.social www.parkinson.org/blog/researc...
parkinson.org
From Parkinson’s Foundation Research Center to Powerhouse: How Yale Became a Leader in Parkinson’s Science
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Connecticut cactus flower season 🌵
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Carbide Wilson ruins. Gatineau Park, Quebec
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Exploring Waterville Valley, NH
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
We are also interested in links to Parkinson’s disease based on recent studies that place JIP4 downstream of LRRK2 gain-of-function mutations, a major genetic cause of autosomal-dominant inherited Parkinson's disease. JIP4-mediated cystine release may therefore be relevant for Parkinson's disease.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
With this new knowledge, we wonder if cysteamine, a therapy for cystinosis, would also help people with recently discovered loss of function mutations in JIP4?
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Just like in cystinosis, proximal tubule lysosomes are particularly sensitive to loss of JIP4! They lose their apical enrichment and exhibit a major storage defect!
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
We demonstrate, in both cultured human cells and a new JIP4 knockout mouse model, that loss of JIP4 phenocopies key features of cystinosis, the well-characterized lysosome storage disease caused by CTNS loss-of-function mutations.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Layla also we define the basis for a new lysosome storage disease arising from JIP4 loss-of-function mutations as well as a new category of lysosome storage disease arising from disruption of the machinery that regulates degradation of a nutrient transporter.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Our work from cultured human cells and a newly developed knockout mouse model demonstrates that the JIP4 scaffold protein suppresses ubiquitin-mediated degradation of cystinosin (CTNS), the transporter responsible for cystine efflux from lysosomes.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
I am excited to share our new preprint! Led by @laylanassar.bsky.social , we have found a new JIP4-dependent mechanism that controls the efflux of cystine from lysosomes. Our findings have implications for both lysosome biology and human disease: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
doi.org
JIP4 deficiency causes a novel lysosome storage disease arising from impaired cystine efflux
Lysosomes break down macromolecules, clear cellular waste and recycle nutrients such as cystine. We describe a novel mechanism whereby JIP4 regulates lysosomal cystine storage by controlling the abundance of cystinosin (CTNS), the transporter responsible for lysosomal cystine efflux. To this end, JIP4, previously characterized as a motor adaptor and kinase signaling scaffold, suppresses TMEM55B-dependent ubiquitylation of CTNS. Loss of JIP4 reduces CTNS protein levels, leading to lysosomal cystine accumulation and lysosomal storage defects that phenocopy loss of CTNS in both human cells and the renal proximal tubules of JIP4 knockout mice. These phenotypes mirror cystinosis, the lysosomal storage disease caused by CTNS loss-of-function. Our findings thus reveal a fundamental process that controls the efflux of lysosomal cystine and has relevance to understanding human disease arising from JIP4 mutations. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. NIH, AG085824, AG062210, R35GM150619 Michael J. Fox Foundation, https://ror.org/03arq3225, ASAP-000580
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Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Multiple recent studies, including 3 impressive natural experiments, consistently show a link between Shingles vaccines and reduced dementia. This week a nationwide S Korea study added a reduction of cardiovascular events My summary Table. More here on dementia erictopol.substack.com/p/the-shingl...
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Pink lady slipper orchid
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Mike Lange @mikelangelipid.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Fantastic new study from Raphael Rodriguez' lab shows that induced proximity concepts can be used to induce Ferroptosis! Inducing proximity of lysosomal iron and lipids induces lipid peroxidation! What a cool concept! Have a look at our News/Views with @olzmannlab.bsky.social shorturl.at/cbc8D
shorturl.at
Lipid-degrading small molecule kills cancer cells by ferroptosis
A molecule designed to activate iron locked up in organelles called lysosomes and thereby induce cell death might offer a way to tackle treatment-resistant cancer.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
Progranulin accumulates in the Golgi of microglia in the motor cortex of LRP10 KO mice
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
This research was supported by @pfresearchteam.bsky.social , @asapresearch.parkinsonsroadmap.org and The Bluefield Project to Cure FTD.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
These discoveries are a foundation for future investigations of how this newly defined relationship between progranulin (GRN) and LRP10 affects the neurodegenerative diseases linked to these genes that include frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
Here’s a new set of discoveries led by Francesca Filippini: doi.org/10.1101/2025... We found that LRP10 promotes the efficient delivery of progranulin to lysosomes and that microglia are particularly sensitive to loss of LRP10.
doi.org
LRP10 promotes trafficking of progranulin and prosaposin to lysosomes
Mutations in LRP10, a low-density lipoprotein receptor family member, cause familial Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. However, its direct cellular functions remain largely undefined....
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bioRxiv Cell Biology @biorxiv-cellbio.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
LRP10 promotes trafficking of progranulin and prosaposin to lysosomes www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/202…
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Nature Cell Biology @natcellbio.nature.com · 01/05/2025
☕Wang et al. show the recruitment of the #lipid channel protein VPS13C and formation of VPS13C-dependent contacts between endoplasmic reticulum and #lysosomes after lysosomal damage. bit.ly/4jT01lz
bit.ly
The bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 mediates ER–lysosome contacts following lysosome damage - Nature Cell Biology
Wang et al. show the recruitment of the lipid channel protein VPS13C and formation of VPS13C-dependent contacts between endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes after lysosomal damage.
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Johan Duchêne @johanduchene.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Antibodies don't work. NLRP3 is by far the most studied inflammasome — yet <30% of commercial antibodies were specific. Only 4 of 14 tested antibodies detected NLRP3 specifically. Antibodies must be validated before use. Full report by @ycharos.bsky.social : zenodo.org/records/1162...
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
Springtime forest friend
Red eft on a mossy rock
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Parkinson's Foundation Research @pfresearchteam.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
📄Shoutout to our 2019 Research Center awardees at Yale (@pdc-lab.bsky.social, @shawnferguson.bsky.social) for their new publication on the bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 mediates ER–lysosome contacts following lysosome damage: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
The bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 mediates ER–lysosome contacts following lysosome damage - Nature Cell Biology
Wang et al. show the recruitment of the lipid channel protein VPS13C and formation of VPS13C-dependent contacts between endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes after lysosomal damage.
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Hanieh Falahati @haniehfalahati.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
Earlier this month I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Zoncu @robzonculab.bsky.social during his visit to Yale. It was so inspiring- and also fun! Here is a link: medicine.yale.edu/cellbio/news...
medicine.yale.edu
Meet our Speakers: Dr. Roberto Zoncu
As a scientist, starting from my postdoc and continuing in my own lab, we have helped redefine the role of the lysosome. Historically, it was considered a
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Yale Neuroscience @yaleneuro.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
In a new @naturecellbiology.bsky.social paper, @pdc-lab.bsky.social, @xinbowang.bsky.social, & @shawnferguson.bsky.social found that proteins VPS13C & LRRK2 react to lysosomal damage to repair it— an inability to repair damaged lysosomes may be one mechanism that contributes to Parkinson’s disease 🧠
medicine.yale.edu
Damaged Cell ‘Trash Cans’ May Contribute to Parkinson’s Disease
A new study on a gene called VPS13C adds to growing evidence that lysosomal dysfunction may be one mechanism through which Parkinson’s disease arises.
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De Camilli Lab @pdc-lab.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
"The bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 mediates ER–lysosome contacts following lysosome damage" out now in Nature Cell Biology rdcu.be/ehbaL
rdcu.be
The bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 mediates ER–lysosome contacts following lysosome damage
Nature Cell Biology - Wang et al. show the recruitment of the lipid channel protein VPS13C and formation of VPS13C-dependent contacts between endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes after lysosomal...
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Prof Malú Gámez Tansey @malutansey.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Thanks for amplifying the excellent work spearheaded by Rebecca Wallings & team on roles of #Gpnmb & #Grn in peripheral immune cell function
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Juan S. Bonifacino @juanbonifacino.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Our lab at the NIH (Bethesda, MD) is looking for postdoctoral fellows to join our team studying the molecular mechanisms of protein trafficking and their links to neurodevelopmental disorders starting on or after 10-1-2025. Send your application to juan.bonifacino@nih.gov. Please share and repost!
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shawnferguson.bsky.social @shawnferguson.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Springtime in Boston
A billboard with bright yellow sunflowers against a backdrop of grey drizzle along a street in Boston
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