University of Chicago
The Pincus Lab
Our Lab
We study how cells adapt to stressful and complex environments with the long term goal of understanding adaptive mechanisms at physiological and evolutionary time scales. At the cell biological level, we are investigating the dynamic regulatory mechanisms that control the heat shock response (HSR), a conserved gene expression program at the heart of the protein homeostasis (proteostasis network). Misregulation of the HSR is implicated in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, so elucidating its homeostatic control in healthy cells may enable therapeutic intervention. At the physiological level, we are taking a global approach using single cell transcriptomics and information theory to understand how cells sense and respond to complex environments, and how this breaks down during the aging process. At the evolutionary level, we are interested in the role that the proteostasis network and individual stress factors such as chaperones play in generating phenotypic diversity and supporting population-level genetic variation.
Check out what we’ve been up to below!
The Lab Goes to Long Island!
Many members of the lab traveled to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island to attend the Protein Homeostasis in Health and Disease Conference. Here several members presented posters, and David Pincus gave a presentation on the state of research in the lab.
Asif participates in Congressional Life Science Fair in Washington DC
Asif traveled to Capitol Hill where he use VR to help visualize COVID-19 spike protein structure. This was done to demonstrate the utility of federal funding for public health.
Luke achieves BSD DEI Award in Recognition of Exceptional Leadership and Service
This award was presented for his work in the South Side Science Festival, volunteering, and work in the admissions process.
Annisa was selected to speak at the SMBE Annual Symposium on Mechanisms of Cellular Evolution in Tempe, Arizona
Here she presented her work and future research goals
Asif Ali’s new paper on ORPs and Chaperone-Dispersed Condensates selected for cover of Nature Cell Biology
Asif, along with lab members Rania G. and Maya I. authored the paper titled Adaptive preservation of orphan ribosomal proteins in chaperone-dispersed condensates that was selected for the cover of the most recent issue of Nature Cell Biology!
Leah won the award for Best Lightning Talk at the annual MolBio Retreat
Leah gave a talk presenting her future work at the Molecular Biosciences Retreat, winning her this award!
Members of the lab make science for everyone at South Side Science Festival
The lab organized The Adaptanauts, an activity designed to convey genetics and evolution in a way that anyone can understand!
Dr. Rania Garde successfully defended her thesis!
Congratulations to Dr. Garde for her work on Feedback and Fitness in the Heat Shock Response!
Luke was selected for the MGCB Citizenship Award
Annisa traveled to Tuscany, Italy for the Gordon Conference on Stress Proteins
Annisa presented a poster of her body of work!
Surabhi Chowdhary was interviewed by Trends in Cell Biology
Check out the interview to learn about her journey and how she chose the Pincus Lab!
Annisa Dea was selected as a finalist for the Grier Prize
Sarah Paracha wins BSD Diversity Equity and Inclusion Award
Sarah was nominated for this distinguished award for inspiring the next generation of scientists to include greater representation of women and people of color.
