James C. Weisshaar

Position title: Richard J. Burke Professor of Chemistry

Email: weisshaar@chem.wisc.edu

Phone: 608.262.0266

Address:
Room 4211A, Department of Chemistry
1101 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706

Research Website
Weisshaar Group
Jim Weisshaar

EDUCATION

  • B.S. 1974, Michigan State University
  • Ph.D. 1979, University of California, Berkeley
  • Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Colorado

PUBLICATIONS & AWARDS

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

Quantitative fluorescence microscopy in vivo and in vitro

We participate in the revolution in fluorescence microscopy of biological systems. It is now possible to measure the spatial distribution of proteins and DNA loci with 30-nm precision in live cells and to track their motion in real time. The result is an unprecedented, high resolution view of biological structure and activity. Areas of current interest include: (1) The motion and spatial distribution of GFP-labeled species in live E. coli cells. Species of interest include RNA polymerase, ribosomes, architectural proteins, and specific DNA loci. The transcription/translation machinery (ribosomes, the nucleoid, and RNAP) all exhibit a remarkable level of spatial organization. (2) The time-resolved attack of antimicrobial agents on single bacterial cell membranes. Examples include LL-37, a human antimicrobial peptide, and synthetic random copolymers designed by the Gellman group. Simultaneous two-color imaging of the antimicrobial and cytoplasmic or periplasmic GFP yields unprecedented insight into the mechanism of attack. (3) The spatial distribution and function of proteins in the tomasyn family, mutations in which are believed to be important factors in Type-2 diabetes.

Fig. 2. RNAP image in live E. coli (inset) and time-dependent recovery of the fluorescence asymmetry after one lobe is photobleached. Blue line is pre-bleach value.

 

The ribosomes, the nucleoid, and RNAP all exhibit a remarkable level of time-varying spatial organization.  Simple “toy models” developed with the Yethiraj group may help understand the organization based on excluded volume and entropic effects alone (Fig. 4).

(3) The time-resolved attack of antimicrobial agents on bacterial cell membranes.  Examples include LL-37 (Fig. 5), a human antimicrobial peptide, and synthetic random copolymers designed by the Gellman group. Simultaneous two-color imaging of the antimicrobial and cytoplasmic or periplasmic GFP yields unprecedented insight into the mechanism of attack.

Periplasmic GFP and rhodamine-LL-37 images vs time. Axial intensity plots at right. The attack comes as three waves, the second of which spreads outward from mid-cell and lyses the outer membrane, releasing GFP.