Troy Kervin
@meowmuir.bsky.social
Logician-scientist: membrane protein cryo-EM, proteolipid code, category theory, philosophy of science
proteolipid.org
proteolipid.org
Pinned
Troy Kervin
@meowmuir.bsky.social
· Sep 25
Membrane phase separation drives responsive assembly of receptor signaling domains - Nature Chemical Biology
Super-resolution imaging detects plasma membrane domains that emerge when receptors are clustered in live B cells. Domain structures arise due to the membrane phase transition and can tune local membrane organization and receptor activation.
www.nature.com
I have just posted a matters arising critique of
S.A. Shelby et al. Nature Chemical Biology www.nature.com/articles/s41...
on Zenodo:
Kervin, T. A. (2025). No phases? No phase separation. Zenodo. doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
Shelby and Veatch's data do not support their model.
#lipidtime
S.A. Shelby et al. Nature Chemical Biology www.nature.com/articles/s41...
on Zenodo:
Kervin, T. A. (2025). No phases? No phase separation. Zenodo. doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
Shelby and Veatch's data do not support their model.
#lipidtime
Reposted by Troy Kervin
There is always pseudoscience out there some of which are excellent at gaining momentum (and people, money, power) because they sound attractive. But pseudoscience is pseudoscience. Time will tell. As a scientist, one should judge what's right/wrong by themselves
November 29, 2025 at 6:12 PM
There is always pseudoscience out there some of which are excellent at gaining momentum (and people, money, power) because they sound attractive. But pseudoscience is pseudoscience. Time will tell. As a scientist, one should judge what's right/wrong by themselves
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Protein model building for intermediate-resolution cryo-EM maps by integrating evolutionary and experimental information pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41314215/ #cryoem
November 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Protein model building for intermediate-resolution cryo-EM maps by integrating evolutionary and experimental information pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41314215/ #cryoem
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Why the brand of phase separation proposed by Tony Hyman is pseudoscientific and why it makes him incompatible with leadership of EMBL @embl.org, a major European institution in Molecular Biology #MolecularBiology
🧵A thread
#science #PhaseSeparation #BlueSkyScience #AcademicBluesky #BioSky
🧵A thread
#science #PhaseSeparation #BlueSkyScience #AcademicBluesky #BioSky
November 29, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Why the brand of phase separation proposed by Tony Hyman is pseudoscientific and why it makes him incompatible with leadership of EMBL @embl.org, a major European institution in Molecular Biology #MolecularBiology
🧵A thread
#science #PhaseSeparation #BlueSkyScience #AcademicBluesky #BioSky
🧵A thread
#science #PhaseSeparation #BlueSkyScience #AcademicBluesky #BioSky
Reposted by Troy Kervin
2/ Too few people have been willing to spend time thinking why LLPS in biology is self-evidently and fundamentally incorrect. I have posted and written on this and I invite people, including editors and science journalists, to urgently ask questions for the house-of-cards LLPS field to answer.
November 27, 2025 at 9:15 PM
2/ Too few people have been willing to spend time thinking why LLPS in biology is self-evidently and fundamentally incorrect. I have posted and written on this and I invite people, including editors and science journalists, to urgently ask questions for the house-of-cards LLPS field to answer.
Reposted by Troy Kervin
1/ A reminder: LLPS and classical molecular biology (MB) provide INCOMPATIBLE explanations how cellular sub-compartments assemble. No matter how many directorships, prizes, and accolades are awarded, one of the two will fall, and it won't be MB. Instead, I worry EMBL will go down with LLPS.
Anthony A. Hyman will become EMBL’s next Director General.
He joins EMBL from @mpi-cbg.de in Dresden. He is also Professor of Molecular Biology @tudresden.bsky.social, and was a group leader at EMBL Heidelberg from 1993 to 1999.
www.embl.org/news/people-...
He joins EMBL from @mpi-cbg.de in Dresden. He is also Professor of Molecular Biology @tudresden.bsky.social, and was a group leader at EMBL Heidelberg from 1993 to 1999.
www.embl.org/news/people-...
November 27, 2025 at 9:15 PM
1/ A reminder: LLPS and classical molecular biology (MB) provide INCOMPATIBLE explanations how cellular sub-compartments assemble. No matter how many directorships, prizes, and accolades are awarded, one of the two will fall, and it won't be MB. Instead, I worry EMBL will go down with LLPS.
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Many interpret my comments on this appointment as personal hostility. Wrong, I defend my doctoral alma mater EMBL from pseudoscience and I started this from within Max Planck. I will spend the next weeks explaining why I consider Hyman’s main papers on LLPS pseudoscience. If interested, stay tuned
Anthony A. Hyman will become EMBL’s next Director General.
He joins EMBL from @mpi-cbg.de in Dresden. He is also Professor of Molecular Biology @tudresden.bsky.social, and was a group leader at EMBL Heidelberg from 1993 to 1999.
www.embl.org/news/people-...
He joins EMBL from @mpi-cbg.de in Dresden. He is also Professor of Molecular Biology @tudresden.bsky.social, and was a group leader at EMBL Heidelberg from 1993 to 1999.
www.embl.org/news/people-...
November 29, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Many interpret my comments on this appointment as personal hostility. Wrong, I defend my doctoral alma mater EMBL from pseudoscience and I started this from within Max Planck. I will spend the next weeks explaining why I consider Hyman’s main papers on LLPS pseudoscience. If interested, stay tuned
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Super collaboration with @raffaeleieva.bsky.social and @fronzeslab.bsky.social on the LptDEMY complex.
rdcu.be/eRxNf here our new study on the characterization of the lipopolysaccharide holotranslocon, LptDE and the newly identified subunits LptM and LptY. Great collaboration with @fronzeslab.bsky.social @pstansfeld.bsky.social @JulienMarcoux @YvesQuentin
Structural basis of lipopolysaccharide assembly by the outer membrane translocon holo-complex
Nature Communications - The asymmetric distribution of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the surface of the bacterial outer membrane is essential and crucial for antibiotic resistance. Here, authors...
rdcu.be
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Super collaboration with @raffaeleieva.bsky.social and @fronzeslab.bsky.social on the LptDEMY complex.
November 24, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Troy Kervin
A long-standing question in cell biology: why are Golgi cisternae flattened? A biophysical model from Jensen group (Manchester) suggests this architecture may directly influence glycosylation.
Morphological determinants of glycosylation efficiency in Golgi cisternae
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Morphological determinants of glycosylation efficiency in Golgi cisternae
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Morphological determinants of glycosylation efficiency in Golgi cisternae
The Golgi apparatus has an intricate spatial structure characterized by flattened membrane-bound compartments, known as cisternae. Cisternae house integral membrane enzymes that catalyse glycosylation...
www.biorxiv.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM
A long-standing question in cell biology: why are Golgi cisternae flattened? A biophysical model from Jensen group (Manchester) suggests this architecture may directly influence glycosylation.
Morphological determinants of glycosylation efficiency in Golgi cisternae
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Morphological determinants of glycosylation efficiency in Golgi cisternae
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Troy Kervin
now i've seen everything... 😱
don't care what anybody says but #protists are cognitive
don't care what anybody says but #protists are cognitive
Cellular structure self-organizes through an interplay between internal mechanisms and external cues. The single-celled suctorian P. collini builds a trap structure to capture large prey using microtubule feeding tentacles, creating feedback between cell morphology and prey availability.
November 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
now i've seen everything... 😱
don't care what anybody says but #protists are cognitive
don't care what anybody says but #protists are cognitive
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Thrilled to share our latest work showing that the bridge lipid transport protein ATG2A transfers diacylglycerol (DAG), and some TAG/PA, from the ER to LDs, thereby recruiting DGAT2 to drive local TAG synthesis, promoting LD expansion while protecting ER membranes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
ATG2A-mediated DAG transfer recruits DGAT2 for lipid droplet growth - Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
Elhan et al. show that ATG2A acts with DGAT2, the enzyme producing triacylglycerol (TAG), in lipid droplet growth. By delivering diacylglycerol to lipid droplets, ATG2A not only fuels TAG production b...
www.nature.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Thrilled to share our latest work showing that the bridge lipid transport protein ATG2A transfers diacylglycerol (DAG), and some TAG/PA, from the ER to LDs, thereby recruiting DGAT2 to drive local TAG synthesis, promoting LD expansion while protecting ER membranes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Troy Kervin
This study claims in vitro seeded assembly in brain homogenate is more disease-relevant than fibril extraction, without providing any evidence thereof. It also ignores ample data that in vitro seeding with aSyn may NOT template the structure of seeds. 😕
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:21 AM
This study claims in vitro seeded assembly in brain homogenate is more disease-relevant than fibril extraction, without providing any evidence thereof. It also ignores ample data that in vitro seeding with aSyn may NOT template the structure of seeds. 😕
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Dear pseudoscientists,
Be afraid. we have a new preprint debunking lipid rafts, detox theory, and the free energy principle in brain science:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
countermeasures and alternatives discussed.
#lipidtime #nutrition #neuroscience
Be afraid. we have a new preprint debunking lipid rafts, detox theory, and the free energy principle in brain science:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
countermeasures and alternatives discussed.
#lipidtime #nutrition #neuroscience
(PDF) Lessons from pseudoscience in biology
PDF | We review three pseudoscientific frameworks that currently dominate their respective fields in biology but are now being phased out by each... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ...
www.researchgate.net
November 15, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Dear pseudoscientists,
Be afraid. we have a new preprint debunking lipid rafts, detox theory, and the free energy principle in brain science:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
countermeasures and alternatives discussed.
#lipidtime #nutrition #neuroscience
Be afraid. we have a new preprint debunking lipid rafts, detox theory, and the free energy principle in brain science:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
countermeasures and alternatives discussed.
#lipidtime #nutrition #neuroscience
Reposted by Troy Kervin
1/ It is no secret that I view the unchecked rise of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) in biology as a profound distortion of molecular biology. It conflicts with its principles, it is logically incompatible with them, and the claims made in its name have been, with rare exceptions,...
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November 14, 2025 at 8:27 AM
1/ It is no secret that I view the unchecked rise of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) in biology as a profound distortion of molecular biology. It conflicts with its principles, it is logically incompatible with them, and the claims made in its name have been, with rare exceptions,...
–>2
–>2
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Independent validation of the SnxA biosensor as a sensitive reporter of PI(3,5)P₂ dynamics by Gerald R Hammond and team: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 12, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Independent validation of the SnxA biosensor as a sensitive reporter of PI(3,5)P₂ dynamics by Gerald R Hammond and team: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Troy Kervin
An Asgard archaeon with internal membrane compartments
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 7, 2025 at 10:44 AM
An Asgard archaeon with internal membrane compartments
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Great collaboration with @guo-lab.bsky.social to determine an in situ architectural model of the Tad pilus machine. Be on the lookout soon for a preprint on the same topic by Grant Jensen and @viollierpat.bsky.social. #microsky
November 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Great collaboration with @guo-lab.bsky.social to determine an in situ architectural model of the Tad pilus machine. Be on the lookout soon for a preprint on the same topic by Grant Jensen and @viollierpat.bsky.social. #microsky
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Glushkova, Böhm, & Beck @maxplanck.de develop a publicly available computational method to measure the thickness of biological membranes in cryo-electron tomograms. Analysis of algae & human cells reveals systematic membrane thickness variations within & across organelles rupress.org/jcb/article/...
November 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Glushkova, Böhm, & Beck @maxplanck.de develop a publicly available computational method to measure the thickness of biological membranes in cryo-electron tomograms. Analysis of algae & human cells reveals systematic membrane thickness variations within & across organelles rupress.org/jcb/article/...
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Delighted to share the latest chapter in the mystery series on how septins sense membrane curvature. Grateful to reviewers for thoughtful critiques and @jcb.org for publishing our work! doi.org/10.1083/jcb....
Lipid packing and local geometry influence septin curvature sensing
Localization of the septin cytoskeleton is controlled by regulatory factors, membrane curvature, and charge. In this study, changes to lipid composition th
doi.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Delighted to share the latest chapter in the mystery series on how septins sense membrane curvature. Grateful to reviewers for thoughtful critiques and @jcb.org for publishing our work! doi.org/10.1083/jcb....
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Calling all #Membrane enthusiasts!
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
October 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Calling all #Membrane enthusiasts!
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
Reposted by Troy Kervin
Proud to share a preprint of our paper on how bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C senses lysosomal membrane tension in anticipation of membrane lesions to initiate net ER-to-lysosome lipid transfer for efficient lysosomal repair www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
VPS13C/PARK23 initiates lipid transfer and membrane remodeling for efficient lysosomal repair
Perturbations in lysosome integrity are tightly linked to neurological disorders and ageing, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are incompletely understood. Using an unbiased proteomic approach,...
www.biorxiv.org
October 25, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Proud to share a preprint of our paper on how bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C senses lysosomal membrane tension in anticipation of membrane lesions to initiate net ER-to-lysosome lipid transfer for efficient lysosomal repair www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Troy Kervin
🚀 Introducing fully automated data processing for repeat-target #cryoEM.
Using new tools in #CryoSPARC, it is now possible to obtain resolutions & map quality equal to or better than manual processing, with zero user intervention.
Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Using new tools in #CryoSPARC, it is now possible to obtain resolutions & map quality equal to or better than manual processing, with zero user intervention.
Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 20, 2025 at 2:32 PM
🚀 Introducing fully automated data processing for repeat-target #cryoEM.
Using new tools in #CryoSPARC, it is now possible to obtain resolutions & map quality equal to or better than manual processing, with zero user intervention.
Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Using new tools in #CryoSPARC, it is now possible to obtain resolutions & map quality equal to or better than manual processing, with zero user intervention.
Preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Troy Kervin
amazing #lipidtime story from Tontonoz lab! Lipid scrambling and cholesterol accessibility IN T-CELLS regulates nutrient uptake in small intestine 🤯🤯
Physiology is so weird!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Physiology is so weird!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
T cell cholesterol transport links intestinal immune responses to dietary lipid absorption
The intrinsic pathways that control membrane organization in immune cells and their impact on cellular functions are poorly defined. We found that the nonvesicular cholesterol transporter Aster-A link...
www.science.org
October 17, 2025 at 6:33 PM
amazing #lipidtime story from Tontonoz lab! Lipid scrambling and cholesterol accessibility IN T-CELLS regulates nutrient uptake in small intestine 🤯🤯
Physiology is so weird!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Physiology is so weird!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Troy Kervin
New ‘landmark’ research on the #herpes simplex virus-1 uses innovative microscopy and x-ray tomography techniques to examine the roles of 9 proteins in viral formation.
buff.ly/guzAjYH
buff.ly/guzAjYH
October 15, 2025 at 10:03 AM
New ‘landmark’ research on the #herpes simplex virus-1 uses innovative microscopy and x-ray tomography techniques to examine the roles of 9 proteins in viral formation.
buff.ly/guzAjYH
buff.ly/guzAjYH
Delighted to have worked on this paper with Madhur Mangalam. Cognitive neuroscience needs disciplined pluralism rather than trivial, ab initio frameworks: www.researchgate.net/publication/...
(PDF) Disciplined pluralism in cognitive neuroscience
PDF | The promise of simple, universal explanations exerts a powerful pull in cognitive neuroscience—but that allure can constrain discovery. By forcing... | Find, read and cite all the research you n...
www.researchgate.net
October 12, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Delighted to have worked on this paper with Madhur Mangalam. Cognitive neuroscience needs disciplined pluralism rather than trivial, ab initio frameworks: www.researchgate.net/publication/...