Physics of Learning and Memory Formation
Protein Mediated Remodeling of Actomyosin Networks
At the CTBP I have spearheaded a new research direction of “Physics of Synaptic Plasticity and Memory Formation”. My group and other members of the CTBP have developed a novel theoretical and computational approach of understanding the structural plasticity of a dendritic spine based on the framework of far-from equilibrium physics. We focus on how the upstream calmodulin-dependent calcium signaling triggers the remodeling of actomyosin networks, a key component of cytoskeleton, that leads to the morphological change in a dendritic spine in neuronal cells, which influences learning and memory formation.
Calcium/Calmodulin dependent kinase II – actin assemblies and their dynamic regulation by calmodulin in dendritic spines”
Q. Wang, M. Chen, C. Bueno, S. S. Song, A. Hudman, M. N. Waxham, P. G. Wolynes, M. S. Cheung, accepted by Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (2019).
Active Cellular Transport
I have collaborated with the members of the Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) to investigate the physics behind the bidirectional cargo transportation on microtubules from the competition of kinesin and dynein motor proteins in a cell.
Molecular origin of the weak susceptibility of kinesin velocity to loads and its relation to the collective behavior of kinesins
Q. Wang, M.R. Diehl, B. Jana, M.S. Cheung, A.B. Kolomeisky, J.N. Onuchic, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 114, E8611-E8617 (2017).
Molecular mechanism of the interhead coordination by interhead tension in cytoplasmic dyneins
Q. Wang, B. Janab, M. R. Diehl, M. S. Cheung, A. B. Kolomeisky, J. N. Onuchic, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 115, 10052-10057 (2018).
