Office hours: Tuesday, 10 – 11 a.m.

I am currently not accepting new requests for letters of recommendation.

Research Interests

I am broadly interested in how plants on a cell-to-cell level process external information that affects their development. More specifically, I want to understand how this information in the form of abiotic stresses such as heat or drought is interpreted on a genomic level at various stages of development. My research primarily focuses on understanding how this information is stored and encoded in the context of chromatin and 3-dimensional contacts of DNA and its associated proteins inside the nucleus so that plants “learn” how to adapt to recurring stress situations. In my lab, we use next-generation sequencing, plant physiological, genetic, molecular and cell biology approaches to tackle these questions. Especially in light of climate change, it will be important to understand how plants react to changing environmental conditions.

Publications

Chen H, Xiong F, Wangler AM, Bischoff T, Wang K, Miao Y, Slane D, Schwab R, Laux T, and Bayer M. Phosphorylation-Dependent Activation of the bHLH Transcription Factor ICE1/SCRM Promotes Polarization of the Arabidopsis Zygote. New Phytologist. 2025 Feb;245(3):1029-1039. doi: 10.1111/nph.20265. Epub 2024 Nov 14. PMID: 39543803.

Berendzen KW, Grefen Christopher, Sakamoto Takuya, and Slane D. Analysis of Chromatin Accessibility, Histone Modifications, and Transcriptional States in Specific Cell Types Using Flow Cytometry. Methods in Molecular Biology. 2023, 2698:57-73.

Sakamoto T, Sakamoto Y, Grob S, Slane D, Yamashita T, Ito N, Oko Y, Sugiyama T, Higaki T, Hasezawa S, Tanaka M, Matsui A, Seki M, Suzuki T, Grossniklaus U, and Matsunaga S. Two-step regulation of centromere distribution by condensin II and the nuclear envelope proteins. Nature Plants. 2022 Aug;8(8):940-953.

Slane D, Lee CH, Kolb M, Dent C, Miao Y, Franz-Wachtel M, Lau S, Maček B, Balasubramanian S, Bayer M, and Jürgens G. The integral spliceosomal component CWC15 is required for development in Arabidopsis. Scientific Reports. 2020 Aug 7;10(1):13336.

Smit ME, Llavata-Peris CI, Roosjen M, van Beijnum H, Novikova D, Levitsky V, Sevilem I, Roszak P, Slane D, Jürgens G, Mironova V, Brady SM, and Weijers D. Specification and regulation of vascular tissue identity in the Arabidopsis embryo. Development. 2020 Apr 20;147(8):dev186130.

Slane D, Berendzen KW, Witthöft J, and Jürgens G. Transcriptomic Profiling of the Arabidopsis Embryonic Epidermis Using FANS in Combination with RNAseq. Methods in Molecular Biology. 2020;2122:151-164.

Neu A, Eilbert E, Asseck LY, Slane D, Henschen A, Wang K, Bürgel P, Hildebrandt M, Musielak TJ, Kolb M, Lukowitz W, Grefen C, and Bayer M. Constitutive signaling activity of a receptor-associated protein links fertilization with embryonic patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2019 Mar 19;116(12):5795-5804.

Wallmeroth N, Jeschke D, Slane D, Nägele J, Veerabagu M, Mira-Rodado V, and Berendzen KW. ARR22 overexpression can suppress plant Two-Component Regulatory Systems. PLoS ONE. 2019 Feb 11;14(2):e0212056.

Slane D, Reichardt I, El Kasmi F, Bayer M, and Jürgens G. Evolutionarily diverse SYP1 Qa-SNAREs jointly sustain pollen tube growth in Arabidopsis. The Plant Journal. 2017 Nov;92(3):375-385.

Slane D, Bürgel P, and Bayer M. Staining and Clearing of Arabidopsis Reproductive Tissue for Imaging of Fluorescent Proteins. Methods in Molecular Biology. 2017;1669:87-94.

Slane D and Bayer M. Cell Type-Specific Gene Expression Profiling Using Fluorescence-Activated Nuclear Sorting. Methods in Molecular Biology. 2017;1629:27-35.

Bayer M, Slane D, and Jürgens G. Early plant embryogenesis-dark ages or dark matter? Current Opinion in Plant Biology. 2017 Feb;35:30-36.

Musielak TJ, Slane D, Liebig C, and Bayer M. A Versatile Optical Clearing Protocol for Deep Tissue Imaging of Fluorescent Proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS ONE. 2016 Aug 12;11(8):e0161107.

Murphy E, Vu LD, Van den Broeck L, Lin Z, Ramakrishna P, van de Cotte B, Gaudinier A, Goh T, Slane D, Beeckman T, Inzé D, Brady SM, Fukaki H, De Smet I. RALFL34 regulates formative cell divisions in Arabidopsis pericycle during lateral root initiation. Journal of Experimental Botany. 2016 Aug;67(16):4863-4875.

Slane D, Kong J, Schmid M, Jürgens G, Bayer M. Profiling of embryonic nuclear vs. cellular RNA in Arabidopsis thaliana. Genomics Data. 2015 Apr 8;4:96-98.

Slane D, Kong J, Berendzen KW, Kilian J, Henschen A, Kolb M, Schmid M, Harter K, Mayer U, De Smet I, Bayer M, Jürgens G. Cell type-specific transcriptome analysis in the early Arabidopsis thaliana embryo. Development. 2014 Dec;141(24):4831-4840.

Lau S, Slane D, Herud O, Kong J, Jürgens G. Early Embryogenesis in Flowering Plants: Setting Up the Basic Body Pattern. Annual Review of Plant Biology. 2012;63:483-506.

Reichardt I, Slane D, El Kasmi F, Knöll C, Fuchs R, Mayer U, Lipka V, Jürgens G. Mechanisms of Functional Specificity Among Plasma-Membrane Syntaxins in Arabidopsis.��Traffic.��2011 Sep;12(9):1269-1280.

• Diploma (equivalent to B.S. & M.S.), Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg (2004)
•  Philosophiae Doctor, Chemistry, University of Hamburg (2009)
•  Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington (2010)

Courses Taught

•  BI/NS 308 Neurobiology / Lab
•  BIO 202 Cellular & Molecular Biology
•  BIO 321 Cellular Biochemistry
•  BIO 473 Seminar and Research in Cell Biology
•  BIO 460 Junior Seminar
•  BI/NS 305 Gene Editing in Biology and Neuroscience
•  BIO 195 Lab-Based Biological Inquiry: Cellular Neuroscience
•  FYS 497 Community Science of Brain Injury in Sports

Research Interests

Over the last decade phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂), a minor membrane phospholipid of the phosphoinositide family, has emerged as a key regulator of nerve cell activity. PI(4,5)P₂ interaction with voltage-gated ion channels is essential for a large number of these channels. In addition, PI(4,5)P₂ is critically involved in exo- and endocytosis, influencing neurotransmitter release and reuptake.��A fundamental problem is how neurons accurately control PI(4,5)P₂ levels, and quickly and reversibly adjust them to an altered physiological situation. However, despite the importance of phosphoinositides for the regulation of neuronal activity, little is known about how the metabolism of phosphoinositides is regulated in cells of the nervous system. To address this question, my research focuses on two major
areas:

• Analysis of individual steps of phosphoinositide metabolism in a model system for hippocampal neurons by a combination of experimental and computational approaches. Development of mathematical models of phosphoinositide-dependent processes such as action potential firing of hippocampal neurons in response to simulated stimulation by neurotransmitters.
• Analysis of second messenger signaling downstream of PI(4,5)P₂ hydrolysis, specifically mediation of intracellular Ca²⁺-signaling by IP₃ receptor-binding protein released with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.

Publications

1. Jensen J, Falkenburger BH, Dickson EJ, de la Cruz L, Dai G, Myeong J, Jung SR, Kruse M, Vivas O, Suh BC, and Hille B (2022). Biophysical physiology of phosphoinositide rapid dynamics and regulation in living cells. J Gen Physiol 154(6): e:202113074.

2. de la Cruz L, Kushmerick C, Sullivan JM, Kruse M*, and Vivas O* (2022). Hippocampal neurons maintain a large PtdIns(4)P pool that results in faster PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesis. J Gen Physiol 154(3): e:202113001. * Oscar Vivas and Martin Kruse are shared senior authors of this publication.

3. Flenner F, Jungen C, Küpker N, Ibel A, Kruse M, Koivumäki JT, Rinas A, Zech ATL, Rhoden A, Wijnker PJM, Lemoine MD, Steenpass A, Girdauskas E, Eschenhagen T, Meyer C, van der Velden J, Patten-Hamel M, Christ T, and Carrier L (2021). Translational investigation of electrophysiology in hyperthrophic cardiomyopathy. J Mol Cell Cardiol 157: 77-89.

4. Kruse M, and Whitten RJ# (2021). Control of neuronal excitability by cell surface receptor density and phosphoinositide metabolism. Front Pharmacol 12: 663840. # Undergraduate student mentored by M. Kruse.

5. Chua GNL, Wassarman KL, Sun H, Alp JA, Jarczyk EI, Kuzio NJ, Bennett MJ, Malachowsky BG, Kruse M, and Kennedy AJ (2019). Cytosine-based TET enzyme inhibitors. ACS Med Chem Lett 10: 180-185.

6. Kruse M, Kohout SC, and Hille B (2019). Reinterpretation of the substrate specificity of the voltage- sensitive phosphatase during dimerization. J Gen Physiol 151: 258-263.

7. Walter AM, Mueller R, Tawfik B, Wierda KD, Pinheiro PS, Nadler A, McCarthy AW, Ziomkiewicz I, Kruse M, Reither G, Rettig J, Lehmann M, Haucke V, Hille B, Schultz C, and Sorensen JB (2017). Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate optical uncaging potentiates exocytosis. eLIFE e30203.

8. Traynor-Kaplan A, Kruse M, Dickson EJ, Dai G, Vivas O, Yu H, Whittington D, and Hille B (2017). Fatty- acyl chain profiles of cellular phosphoinositides. Biochim Biophys Acta – Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids 1862: 513-522.

9. Dai G, Yu H, Kruse M, Traynor-Kaplan A, and Hille B (2016). Osmoregulatory inositol transporter SMIT1 modulates electrical activity by adjusting PI(4,5)P2 levels. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 113: E3290- 9.

10. Keum D*, Kruse M*, Kim DI, Hille B, and Suh BC (2016). Phosphoinositide 5- and 3- phosphatase activities of a voltage-sensing phosphatase in living cells show identical voltage dependence. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 113: E3686-95. * These authors contributed equally to this work

11. Yu H, Benitez SG, Jung SR, Altamirano LE, Kruse M, Seo JB, Koh DS, Muñoz EM, and Hille B (2016). GABAergic signaling in the rat pineal gland. J Pineal Res 61: 69-81.

12. Dickson EJ, Jensen JB, Vivas O, Kruse M, Traynor-Kaplan A, and Hille B (2016). Rapid formation of ER-PM junctions recruits a lipid phosphatase and regulates phosphoinositide metabolism. JCB 213: 33-48.

13. Kruse M*, Vivas O*, Traynor-Kaplan A, and Hille B (2016). Dynamics of phosphoinositide-dependent signaling in sympathetic neurons. J Neurosci 36: 1386-400. * These authors contributed equally to this work. (Recommended in Faculty of 1000)

14. Hille B, Dickson EJ, Kruse M, Vivas O, Suh BC (2015). Phosphoinositides regulate ion channels. Biochim Biophys Acta 1851: 844-56.

15. Vivas O*, Kruse M*, Hille B (2014). Nerve growth factor sensitizes adult sympathetic neurons to the proinflammatory peptide bradykinin. J Neurosci 34: 11959-71. * These authors contributed equally to this work.

16. Kruse M, Pongs O (2014). TRPM4 channels in the cardiovascular system. Curr Opin Pharmacol 15: 68-73.

17. Hille B, Dickson E, Kruse M, Falkenburger B (2014). Dynamic metabolic control of an ion channel. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci 123: 219-47.

18. Kruse M, Hille B (2013). The phosphoinositide sensitivity of the KV channel family. Channels 7: 530- 6.

19. Schattling B, Steinbach K, Thies E, Kruse M, Menigoz A, Ufer F, Flockerzi V, Brück W, Pongs O, Vennekens R, Kneussel M, Freichel M, Merkler D, Friese MA (2012). TRPM4 cation channel mediates axonal and neuronal degeneration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis. Nat Med 18: 1805-11. (Recommended in Faculty of 1000)

20. Mandal G, Sharma M, Kruse M, Sander-Juelch C, Munro LA, Wang Y, Vilg JV, Tamás MJ, Bhattacharjee H, Wiese M, Mukhopadhyay R (2012). Modulation of Leishmania major aquaglyceroporin activity by a mitogen-activated protein kinase. Mol Microbiol 85: 1204-18.

21. Kruse M, Hammond GR, Hille B (2012). Regulation of voltage-gated potassium channels by PI(4,5)P2. J Gen Physiol 140: 189-205.

22. Klaiber M*, Dankworth B*, Kruse M*, Hartmann M, Nikolaev VO, Yang RB, Völker K, Gassner B, Oberwinkler H, Feil R, Freichel M, Groschner K, Skryabin BV, Frantz S, Birnbaumer L, Pongs O, Kuhn M (2011). A cardiac pathway of cyclic GMP-independent signaling of guanylyl cyclase A, the receptor for atrial natriuretic peptide. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 108: 18500-5. * These authors contributed equally to this work.

23. Sachse G, Kruse M, Pongs O (2011). Genetically Modified Mice: Useful Models to Study Cause and Effect of Cardiac Arrhythmias? Heart Rate and Rhythm, 473-84.

24. Klaiber M, Kruse M, Völker K, Schröter J, Feil R, Freichel M, Baba HA, Pongs O, Penninger JM, and Kuhn M (2010). Novel insights into the mechanisms mediating the local antihypertrophic effects of cardiac atrial natriuretic peptide: role of cGMP-dependent protein kinase and RGS2. Basic Res Cardiol 105: 583-95. (Recommended in Faculty of 1000)

25. Liu H*, El Zein L*, Kruse M*, Guinamard R, Beckmann A, Bozio A, Kurtbay G#, Mégarbané A, Ohmert I, Blaysat G, Vilain E, Pongs O, and Bouvagnet P (2009). Gain- of-function mutations in TRPM4 cause autosomal dominant isolated cardiac conduction disease. Circ Cardiovasc Genet 3: 374-85. * These authors contributed equally to this work. # Undergraduate student mentored by M. Kruse.

26. Kruse M*, Schulze-Bahr E*, Corfield V*, Beckmann A, Stallmeyer B, Kurtbay G#, Ohmert I, Schulze- Bahr El, Brink P, and Pongs O (2009). Impaired endocytosis of the ion channel TRPM4 is associated with human progressive familial heart block type I. JCI 119: 2737-44. * These authors contributed equally to this work. # Undergraduate student mentored by M. Kruse. (Recommended in Faculty of 1000)

27. Wang Q, Melzer IM, Kruse M, Sander-Juelch C, and Wiese M (2005). LmxMPK4, a mitogen- activated protein (MAP) kinase homologue essential for promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania mexicana. Kinetoplastid Biol Dis 4: 6.

28. Cross FR, Schroeder L, Kruse M, and Chen KC (2005). Quantitative characterization of a mitotic cyclin threshold regulating exit from mitosis. Mol Biol Cell 16: 2129-38.

Research Interests

Selected Publications

* denotes �ֲ���ý student

Williams LM, Bowsher AM, *Chrysovergi M-A, Ambrose WG Jr (2020). Bloodworm (Glycera dibranchiata Ehlers, 1868) populations in the Gulf of Maine are connected through gene flow.��Marine Science and Biology.��1:��1-4.

Sant KE, *Moreau HM,��Williams LM, Jacobs HM, Bowsher AM, *Boisvert JD, Smolowitz RM, *Pantazis J, Timme-Laragy A (2020). Embryonic exposures to mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate induce larval steatosis in zebrafish independent of Nrf2a signaling.��Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease.��doi: 10.1017/S2040174420000057.

*Ulin A, *Henderson J, *Pham M-T, *Meyo J, *Chen Y, Karchner SI, Goldstone JV, Hahn ME,��Williams LM (2019). Developmental regulation of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factors (Nrfs) by AHR1b in zebrafish (Danio rerio).��Toxicological Sciences,��167(2): 536-545.

Jacobs HM, Sant KE, Basnet A,��Williams LM, Moss JB, Timme-Laragy A (2018). Embryonic exposure to Mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) disrupts pancreatic organogenesis in zebrafish (Danio rerio).�����𳾴Dz��������,��195:��498-507.

Sant KE, Hansen JM,��Williams LM, *Tran NL, Goldstone JV, Stegeman JJ, Hahn ME, Timme-Laragy A (2017). The role of Nrf1 and Nrf2 in the regulation of glutathione and redox dynamics in the developing embryos.��Redox Biology,��13:��207-218.

Lord JP,��Williams LM (2017). Northward Expansion of Genetically Diverse Invasive Asian Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) Populations.��Biological Invasions,��19(4): 1153-1168.

Williams LM, *Lago B, McArthur AG, Raphenya AR, *Pray N, *Saleem N, *Salas S, *Paulson K, *Mangar R, Liu Y, Vo AH, Shavit J (2016). The transcription factor, Nuclear factor, erythroid 2 (Nfe2), is a regulator of the oxidative stress response during Danio rerio development.��Aquatic Toxicology,��180:��141-154.

Williams LM, *Nivison CL, Ambrose WG Jr, *Dobbin R, Locke WL V (2015). Lack of adult novel northern lineages of invasive green crab Carcinus maenas along much of the northern US Atlantic coast.��Marine Ecology Progress Series,��532:��153-159.