• The regulation of microtubule cytoskeleton

• Postdoctoral Associate, Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, USA (2012-2019)
• Ph.D., Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, USA (2006-2011)
• B.Sc., Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (2000-2004)

Microtubules are dynamic polymers of α/β-tubulin heterodimers central to cellular processes, such as cell division, cell migration, and organelle transportation. The α- and β-tubulin gene families (i.e. isotypes) expand substantially in metazoans. The human genome encodes at least nine α- and ten β-tubulin isotypes that have the protein expression profiles varying with cell types and developmental stages. Single point mutations in specific tubulin isotypes have been associated with human diseases. The discovery of disease-related mutations suggests that, even with the high degree of identity on the primary sequence basis, tubulin isotypes do not complement each other’s function in metazoans. However, the molecular mechanism by which tubulin isotypes regulate the organization and function of microtubules remains poorly understood.

Featuring the field-leading technology to generate isotypically pure recombinant human tubulin, Dr. Ti’s laboratory employs combinatorial approaches of biochemistry, biophysics, chemical biology, and structural biology to dissect the factors that are associated with the biological function of diverse human tubulin isotypes.

1. Ye, Y.†, Hao, Z.†, Luo, J., Lam, W., Liu, Z., Li X.D., Zhai, Y., Lin, Y.*, Ti, S.C.* (2025) “Tubulin isotypes of C. elegans harness the mechanosensitivity of the lattice for microtubule luminal accessibility” Nature Physics [IF: 18.4, 1/114 Physics/Multidisciplinary, citations 0] †co-first author. *co-corresponding author.
2. Luo, J.†; Lam, W.†,*; Yu, D.; Chao; V., Zopfi, M.; Khoo, C.; Zhao, C.; Yan, S.; Liu, Z.; Li, X.D.; Zheng, C.; Zhai, Y.*; Ti, S.C.* (2024) “Tubulin acetyltransferases access and modify the microtubule luminal K40 residue through anchors in taxane-binding pockets” Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, PMID: 39496813. [IF: 10.1, 1/80 Biophysics, citations 5] †co-first author. *co-corresponding author.
3. Dodd, D.†; Mechaussier, S.†; Yeyati, P.; McPhie, F.; Anderson, J.; Khoo, C.J.; Shoemark, A.; Gupta, D.K.; Attard, T.;  Zariwala, M.A.; Legendre, M.; Bracht, D.; Wallmeier, J.; Gui, M.; Fassad, M.R.; Parry, D.A.; Tennant, P.A.; Meynert, A.; Wheway, G.; Fares-Taie, L.; Black, H.A.; Mitri-Frangieh, R.; Faucon, C.; Kaplan, J.; Patel, M.; McKie, L.; Megaw, R.; Gatsogiannis, C.; Mohamed, M.A.; Aitken, S.; Gautier, P.; Reinholt, F.R.; Hirst, R.A.; O’Callaghan, C.; Heimdal, K.; Bottier, M., Escudier, E., Crowley, S.; Descartes, M.; Jabs, E.W.; Kenia, P.; Amiel, J.; Bacci, G.M.; Calogero, C.; Palazzo, V.; Tiberi, L.; Blümlein, U.; Rogers, A.; Wambach, J.A.; Wegner, D.J.; Fulton, A.B.; Kenna, M.; Rosenfeld, M.; Holm, I.A.;  Quigley, A.; Hall, E.A.; Murphy, L.C.; Cassidy, D.M.; von Kriegsheim, A.; Partnership, S.G.; Genomics England Research Consortium, Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Papon, J.F.; Pasquier, L.; Murris, M.S.; Chalmers, J.D.; Hogg, C.; Macleod, K.A.; Urquhart, D.S.; Unger, S.; Aitman, T.J.; Amselem, S.; Leigh, M.W.; Knowles, M.R.; Omran, H.; Mitchison, H.M.; Brown, A.; Marsh, J.A.; Welburn, J.P.I.; Ti, S.C.; Horani, A.; Rozet, J.M.; Perrault, I.*, Mill, P.* (2024) “Ciliopathy patient variants reveal organelle-specific functions for TUBB4B in axonemal microtubules” Science, 384, 6694, PMID: 38662826. [IF: 45.8, 3/135 Multidisciplinary, citations 21] †co-first author. *co-corresponding author.
4. Ng, R.R.; Lin, Z; Zhang, Y.; Ti, S.C.; Javed, A.; Wong, J.W.H.; Fang, Q.; Leung, J.W.C.; Tang, A.H.N.; Huen, M.S.Y. (2024) “R-loop resolution by ARIP4 helicase promotes androgen-mediated transcription induction” Science Advances, 29, 10, PMID: 39028815. [IF: 12.5, 12/135 Multidisciplinary, citations 2].
5. Lu, Y.M.; Yan, S.; Ti., S.C.; Zheng, C. (2024) “Editing of endogenous tubulins reveals varying effects of tubulin posttranslational modifications on axonal growth and regeneration” eLife, 13, RP94583, PMID: 38949652. [citations 3].
6. Fu, G.; Yan, S.; Khoo, C.J.; Chao, V.C.; Liu, Z.; Mukhi, M.; Hervas, R.; Li, X.D.; Ti, S.C. (2023) “Integrated regulation of tubulin tyrosination and microtubule stability by human α-tubulin isotypes” Cell Reports, 42 (6), PMID: 37379209. [IF: 6.9, 39/204 Cell Biology, citations 8].
7. Tan, D.S.; Cheung, S.L.; Gao, Y.; Weinbuch, M.; Hu, H.; Shi, L.; Ti, S.C.; Hutchins, A.P.; Cojocaru, V.; Jauch, R. (2023) “The homeodomain of Oct4 is a dimeric binder of methylated CpG elements” Nucleic Acids Res., 51, 3, 1120-1138, PMID: 36631980. [IF:13.1, 6/320 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, citations 8].
8. Fukuyama, T.; Yan, L.; Tanaka, M.; Yamaoka, M.; Saito, K.; Ti, S.C.; Liao, C.C.; Hsia, K.C.; Maeda, Y.T.; Shimamoto Y. (2022) “Morphological growth dynamics, mechanical stability, and active microtubule mechanics underlying spindle self-organization” PNAS, 119, 44, e2209053119, PMID: 36282919. [IF:9.1, 14/135 Multidisciplinary, citations 6].
9. Ti, S.C. (2022) “Reconstituting microtubules: A decades-long effort from building block identification to the generation of recombinant α/β-Tubulin” Front. Cell Dev. Biol., PMID: 35573669. [IF:4.3, 12/39 Developmental Biology, citations 2].
10. Wieczorek, M†; Ti, S.C. †; Urnavicius, L; Molloy, K.R.; Aher, A.; Chait, B.T.; Kapoor, T.M. (2021) “Biochemical reconstitutions reveal principles of human γ-TuRC assembly and function” J. Cell Biology, 220 (3): e202009146. PMID: 33496729. [IF: 6.4, 51/204 Cell Biology, citations 26] †Co-first author.
11. Ti, S.C.*; Wieczorek, M.; Kapoor, T.M.*(2020) “Purification of affinity-tag free recombinant tubulin from insect cells” STAR Protocols, 1, 1, 10011. PMID: 32783031. [IF: 1.3, 78/86 Biochemical Research Methods, citations 15] *Co-corresponding author.
12. Wieczorek, M†; Urnavicius, L†; Ti,S.C., Molloy, K.R.; Chait, B.T.; Kapoor, T.M. (2020) “Asymmetric molecular architecture of the human γ-tubulin ring complex” Cell, 180, 165-175. PMID: 31862189. [IF: 42.5, 2/320 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, citations 99] †Co-first author.
13. Ti, S.C.; Alushin, G.M.; Kapoor, T.M. (2018) “Human β-tubulin isotypes can regulate microtubule protofilament number and stability” Developmental Cell, 47, 175-190. PMID: 30245156. [IF: 8.7, 1/39 Developmental Biology, citations 100].
14. Kellogg, E.H.; Howes, S.; Ti, S.C.; Ramirez-Aportela, E.; Kapoor, T.M.; Chacón, P.; Nogales, E. (2016) “Near-atomic cryo-EM structure of PRC1 bound to the microtubule” PNAS, 113, 9430-9439. PMID: 27493215. [IF:9.1, 14/135 Multidisciplinary, citations 56].
15. Pamula, M.C.; Ti, S.C.; Kapoor, T.M (2016) “The structure core of human β-tubulin confers isotype- specific polymerization properties” J. Cell Biology, 213, 425-33. PMID: 27185835. [IF: 6.4, 51/204 Cell Biology, citations 78].
16. Ti, S.C.; Pamula, M.C.; Howes,S.C.; Duellberg, C.; Cade, N.I.; Kleiner,R.E.; Forth,S.; Surrey,T.; Nogales, E.; Kapoor, T.M. (2016) “Mutations in human tubulin proximal to the kinesin-binding site alter dynamic instability at microtubule plus and minus ends” Developmental Cell, 37, 72-84. PMID: 27046833. [IF: 8.7, 1/39 Developmental Biology, citations 85].
17. McCormick, C.D.; Akamatsu, M.S.; TiS.C.; Pollard T.D. (2013) “Measuring affinities of fission yeast spindle pole body proteins in live cells across the cell cycle” Biophysics J., 105, 1324-35. PMID: 24047983. [IF:3.1, 12/80 Biophysics, citations 9].
18. Kleiner R.E.; Ti S.C.; Kapoor T.M. (2013) “Site-specific chemistry on the microtubule polymer” JACS, 135 (34), 12520-3. PMID: 23930594. [IF:15.6, 12/241 Chemistry/Multidisciplinary, citations 9].
19. Subramanian R.; Ti S.C.; Tan L.; Darst S.A.; Kapoor T.M. (2013) “Marking and measuring single microtubules by PRC1 and Kinesin-4” Cell, 154 (2): 377-90. PMID: 23870126. [IF: 42.5, 2/320 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, citations 114].
20. Ti S. C. †; Jurgenson C. †; Nolen, B. J.; Pollard, T. D. (2011) “Structural and biochemical characterization of two binding sites for nucleation promoting factor WASp-VCA on Arp2/3 complex” PNAS, 108 (33): E463-71. PMID: 21676862. [IF:9.1, 14/135 Multidisciplinary, citations 116] †Co-first author.
21. Ti S. C.; Pollard, T.D. (2011) “Purification of actin from fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and characterization of functional differences from muscle actin” J. Biological Chemistry, 286 (7), 5784-92. PMID: 21148484. [IF:3.9, 104/320 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, citations 19]
22. Cheng, C. H.; Lo, Y. H.; Liang, S. S.; Ti, S. C.; Lin, F. M.; Yeh, C. H.; Huang, H. Y.; Wang, T. F. (2006) “SUMO modifications control assembly of synaptonemal complex and polycomplex in meiosis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae” Genes and Development 20, 1986-1992. PMID:16847351. [IF:7.7, 2/39 Developmental Biology, citations 213]
23. Chen, Y. K.; Leng, C. H.; Olivares, H.; Lee, M. H.; Chang. Y. C.; Kung, W. M.; Ti, S. C.; Lo, Y. H.; Wang, A. H.; Chang C. S.; Bishop D. K.; Hsueh Y. P.; Wang, T. F. (2004) “Heterodimeric complexes of meiosis-specific Hop2 and Mnd1 promote DNA recombination and homolog juxtaposition” PNAS 101, 10572-77. PMID: 15249670. [IF:9.1, 14/135 Multidisciplinary, citations 79]
     

• 2015: ASCB 55th annual meeting Postdoctoral Travel Award
• 2013-2016: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Fellow
• 2011: Mary Ellen Jones Dissertation Award, Yale University
• 2004: Dean’s award, College of Science, National Taiwan University