ABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Luisa F. Arias Padilla and Jonathan Munera Lopez are co-first authors on ‘ The initiation and early development of apical–basal polarity in Toxoplasma gondii’, published in JCS. Luisa is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the lab of Ke Hu at Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, USA, investigating cellular dynamics and complexity. Jonathan is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the same lab investigating Toxoplasma gondii cell biology.
Luisa F. Arias Padilla
How would you explain the main findings of your paper in lay terms?
L.F.A.P. and J.M.L.:Toxoplasma gondii is an extremely successful parasite that permanently infects ∼25% of the world's population. We are generally interested in understanding what cellular features and processes underpin its huge success as a parasite. In addition, Toxoplasma has a beautiful and highly polarized cellular architecture. The body plan of mature parasites has been well characterized, but how this apical-basal polarity is initiated and develops in the early ‘daughter’ parasites generated during cell division was not known. In this research project, we used expansion microscopy to resolve the structures within young daughter cells using markers for macromolecular complexes that associate with the apical and basal ends of the cortical MTs. We found that apical-basal polarity is established from the beginning of daughter formation and the apical complex, the cortical microtubules and the basal complex co-develop in a step-wise fashion (see picture).
When doing the research, did you have a particular result or ‘eureka’ moment that has stuck with you?
L.F.A.P. and J.M.L.: When we observed that the assembly of the apical polar ring appears to progress ahead of the assembly of the microtubule array. This suggests a clear mechanism for how the apical polar ring might guide the initiation of the new microtubules.
Why did you choose Journal of Cell Science for your paper?
L.F.A.P. and J.M.L.: We chose Journal of Cell Science because JCS consistently publishes high quality articles in cell biology that are of general interest. We published another paper in JCS just a year ago, and we appreciated the fair review process that helped improve our work.
Have you had any significant mentors who have helped you beyond supervision in the lab? How was their guidance special?
L.F.A.P. and J.M.L.: The guidance from our PI, Dr Ke Hu, was essential in this research. She recognized our strengths and brought us together as a team. Dr John M. Murray also played a crucial role in developing this project.
Jonathan Munera Lopez
Expansion microscopy images of nascent Toxoplasma daughters ordered by the length and number of the cortical microtubules (A–E), and a dividing Toxoplasma parasite with late-stage daughters (F). The images reveal that apical-basal differentiation is already established upon nucleation of the cortical microtubule array: arcs formed from the apical polar ring (green) and basal complex (cyan) associate with opposite ends of the microtubules (red). As the nascent daughter framework grows towards the centrioles, the apical and basal arcs co-develop ahead of the microtubule array (arrowheads).
Expansion microscopy images of nascent Toxoplasma daughters ordered by the length and number of the cortical microtubules (A–E), and a dividing Toxoplasma parasite with late-stage daughters (F). The images reveal that apical-basal differentiation is already established upon nucleation of the cortical microtubule array: arcs formed from the apical polar ring (green) and basal complex (cyan) associate with opposite ends of the microtubules (red). As the nascent daughter framework grows towards the centrioles, the apical and basal arcs co-develop ahead of the microtubule array (arrowheads).
What motivated you to pursue a career in science, and what have been the most interesting moments on the path that led you to where you are now?
L.F.A.P.: I was always amazed by the life sciences in high school, and I still remember the first time that I used a microscope. I was stoked to learn more! After I decided to study biology, I enjoyed immersing myself into studying different organisms. Everything in biology seems fascinating to me, especially cell biology. I followed my curiosity and did my PhD studying cell biology in vertebrate development. Now I have taken up the challenge of exploring the cell complexity of unicellular parasites.
J.M.L.: I think it all goes back to school for me as well. I remember when the science teacher explained what a cell is, and it made me start thinking about how a cell could contain and do so many things. I also remember the first time I looked through a microscope. I was surprised to see things that I couldn't see with just my eyes. Since that time, I have also followed my curiosity and interest in cell and molecular biology.
Who are your role models in science? Why?
L.F.A.P.: My role models are all the people that I've met that do science with curiosity, determination and perseverance, and still have a good connection with other people and real daily life.
J.M.L.: I am lucky that I have met great mentors along my career, particularly since I began working with Toxoplasma gondii. Role models from different nationalities and backgrounds have taught me the importance of perseverance in science and the necessity of a work-life balance to nurture curiosity.
What's next for you?
L.F.A.P.: I'll continue my research journey, expanding my knowledge in molecular cell biology.
J.M.L.: I'll continue exploring cell structure and complexity in Toxoplasma gondii, and perhaps start to explore it in other organisms.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that wouldn't be on your CV
L.F.A.P.: I started to practice yoga during my PhD to manage the stress of the PhD journey. I was so impressed with the way that yoga helped me that I decided to take yoga instructor training to understand how its mind–body effects work.
J.M.L.: My favorite hobby is doing nature photography and I have won prizes with some pictures. Usually, if I'm not taking pictures in my free time, I'm jumping on my mountain bike, fishing, or exploring nearby mountains and forests.
Luisa F. Arias Padilla's contact details: Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
Jonathan Munera Lopez's contact details: Arizona State University, Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA.
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
