An incredible honor - my group past and present deserved immense thanks.

A bioluminescent probe to track RNA New ‘RNA lantern’ lets scientists peer into cellular dynamics in real time

At #ACSSpring2025, Jennifer Prescher, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of California, Irvine, described how her team is developing bioluminescent RNA tags to help visualize RNA. cen.acs.org/acs-news/acs... #chemsky🧪

We have so many awesome new research groups at UMN Chem - check out this beautiful work! @ochemgrenning.bsky.social @umnchemistry.bsky.social

Immunoproteasome as a Target for Prodrugs Immunoproteasome (iCP) is a proteasome isoform that is expressed under inflammatory conditions such as cytokine interferon-γ exposure. The iCP has different catalytic subunits other than the standard CP (standard core particle), allowing the production of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) compatible peptides for eventual T-cell activation. We have previously reported the design of a fluorescent probe that monitors iCP activity in cells called TBZ-1, and we applied TBZ-1’s iCP recognition sequence for prodrug release into iCP-active cells. Here, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept of the iCP as a prodrug release enzyme. The “payload” we utilized was a toxic moiety, doxorubicin, and a degrader for transcription factor, BRD4. Both examples show that iCP activity is required to elicit cell death or degradation of BRD4. This report highlights that the iCP is a viable prodrug target, and its activity can be used to release a variety of cargo in cells expressing the iCP.

Really proud to have this out in J Med Chem! Congrats to Christine and @codyloy.bsky.social
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

The 2025 ACS Chemical Biology Young Investigator Award goes to Professor Jeremy Baskin! Congrats to Jeremy & our other esteemed presenters for yesterday's great symposium!
Jennifer Prescher, @jeremybaskin.bsky.social, Carsten Schultz, @chembiobryan.bsky.social, @sonjakrane.bsky.social, @pubs.acs.org

A bit belated congratulations, but still so worth celebrating!

So thrilled to have amazing mass spec happening in our department!

A new means of selectively imaging the inner mycolate of mycobacteria using a compound that covalently modifies an enzyme intercepts to create a new intermediate with the Kim lab, @thebrysonlab.bsky.social and the Bernhardt lab. #TB