To translate genetic information into biological function, a nascent polypeptide must fold into the correct structure, assemble with interaction partners, localize to the appropriate cellular destination, and undergo chemical modifications as well as regulated quality control. In the Shan lab, we aim to decipher the molecular basis of diverse protein biogenesis pathways, and to use them as models to understand how accuracy is generated from noisy and degenerate molecular signals in biology.
An overarching theme of our research is to unravel the dynamics of molecular machines engaged in protein biogenesis, which provide the energetic driving force and enable the spatiotemporal regulation of the pathway. We combine the approach of mechanistic enzymology with biophysical tools such as steady-state and single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, NMR, and EPR; these high resolution studies are further buttressed by genetics, molecular cell biology, systems level analysis, and mathematical modeling.
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Biochemical Reconstitutions
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Ribosome profiling
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Fluorescence spectroscopy
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Single-molecule microscopy
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Enzymology
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NMR spectroscopy
November 2025
Alfred and Ziyi’s paper on HYPK acting as a ribosome exchange factor for NatA to promote protein N-terminal acetylation is accepted in Molecular Cell. Congratulations!
Ziyi, Sowmya, and Alfred’s collaborative work with the Ban lab on NAC organizing the cotranslational acetylation of histones by MetAP1 and NatD is accepted in Science Advances. Congratulations!
October 2025
Ruilin and Radek’s paper on temporal regulation of SRP during translation goes online in Journal of Molecular Biology. Congratulations, Ruilin, Radek and Sowmya! Temporal regulation of signal recognition particle during translation
August 2025
Check out Zikun's paper on cotranslational mitochondrial protein targeting in Cell. Congratulations to Zikun and Sunny! Principles of cotranslational mitochondrial protein import
July 2025
Alfred and Ziyi’s collaborative work with Deuerling and Ban labs on protein N-myristoylation is published in Molecular Cell. Congratulations! Mechanism of cotranslational protein N-myristoylation in human cells
June 2025
Check out our new paper on how cpSRP43 coordinates light-harvesting complex biogenesis. Congratulations to Alex! Switchable client specificity in a dual functional chaperone coordinates light-harvesting complex biogenesis
Max joins the lab. Welcome Max!
Congratulations to Sunny for passing his candidacy!
May 2025
Congratulations to Ziyi and Bryce for passing their candidacies!
April 2025
Shu-ou is elected by the National Academy of Sciences as a member in recognition of her distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Congratulations, Shu-ou!
October 2024
Yelim and Sunny join the lab. Welcome!
June 2024
Ziyi and Bryce join the lab. Welcome!
April 2024
Congratulations to Zikun for successfully defending his PhD thesis!
Jan 2024
Shu-ou is the winner of the 2024 NAS Award in Molecular Biology. Congratulations, Shu-ou!
Laboratory
120 Braun Laboratories
(626) 395-4071
Shu-ou's Office
109 Braun Laboratories
(626) 395-3879
sshan@caltech.edu
Mailing and Shipping Address
1200 E California Blvd.
Mail Code 147-75
Pasadena, CA, 91125