Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Jul 31

Our findings reveal a general mechanism of biomolecular stability--compensatory flexibility--that we predict is widely used by structured biopolymers. This conceptual breakthrough allows the design of mutations and ligands that can disrupt or engineer biomolecular function. 5/5

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Jul 31

We found that the stem-loop folds via two distinct pathways, each defined by a different loop structure.
By tuning its flexibility, the RNA can favor either rapid folding or resistance to unfolding—an adaptive strategy for robust structural stability. 4/5

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Jul 31

Using a carbon nanotube–based single-molecule field-effect transistor (smFET), we recorded the folding and unfolding of an individual UUCG stem-loop at microsecond time resolution, revealing conformations and kinetic pathways that ensemble methods cannot resolve. 3/5

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Jul 31

An excellent collaboration with the labs of Ken Shepard and Colin Nuckolls, led by @ssjang.bsky.social, @korakray.bsky.social, and David Lynall! 2/5

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Jul 31

New from our lab in @narjournal.bsky.social:
We dissect the folding dynamics of a fundamental element of RNA secondary structure—a stem-loop—at single-molecule and microsecond resolution.
doi.org/10.1093/nar/... 1/5

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Jun 10

Over 60 NIH staff are blowing the whistle on Trump’s assault on biomedical research — calling it unethical, illegal, and dangerous. Grants canceled. Trials halted. Science censored. This is a direct threat to public health. www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...

Bethesda Declaration — STAND UP FOR SCIENCE

Support NIH Staff Now!

www.standupforscience.net

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Jun 5

A Puerto Rican Ph.D. student. A first-gen scientist. Both lost NIH grants under vague “new priorities.”

Nearly 2,500 projects and $1.6B in cut or stalled grants.

No vote. No debate. Just science erased. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Here Are the Nearly 2,500 Medical Research Grants Canceled or Delayed by Trump

Some cuts have been starkly visible, but the country’s medical grant-making machinery has also radically transformed outside the public eye.

www.nytimes.com

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Jun 2

“If things continue as they are, American science is ruined.”
This isn’t sabotage from the outside — it’s self-inflicted. Cuts to research, visa bans, and closed doors to global talent are doing what an enemy of the US could only dream of. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/31/w...

World Scientists Look Elsewhere as U.S. Labs Stagger Under Trump Cuts

www.nytimes.com

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · May 30

I said I would! 🤣

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · May 30

Check out group member Meghna Maiti’s poster at #RNA2025! She’s presenting new findings on how frameshift-suppressor tRNAs exhibit altered dynamics in the ribosomal A site that modulate translocation and +1 frameshifting. Friday, 8–10 PM PT — she’s at P2-492!

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · May 30

A blast from the past! The Gonzalez Group, circa 2008, celebrating our first publication! Check out much, much younger versions of, from left to right, Pallav Kosuri, yours truly, Sam Sternberg, Mike Englander, @jingyifei.bsky.social, Daniel MacDougall, Margaret Elvekrog, and Subasree Das!

Photo credit: Pallav Kosuri by way of Jingyi Fei.

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · May 30

Excited to share that group member Riley Gentry will present a talk at #RNA2025 tomorrow! He’ll reveal how PIC-bound eIFs collaborate to drive mRNA loading during translation initiation. Don’t miss “The mechanism of mRNA activation” at 9 AM in the Translation Mechanisms plenary.

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · May 7

“Undermining the future of American science is not a path to accountability — it’s a path to decline.”
In a powerful new piece, my colleague Daphna Shohamy explains how canceled grants are driving young scientists out of science—and out of the country.
🔗 www.statnews.com/2025/05/07/u...

What am I supposed to say to this generation of young scientists?

Undermining the future of American science is not a path to accountability — it’s a path to decline.

www.statnews.com

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Apr 28

This op-ed details how the billionaires now destroying basic science at our universities built their fortunes on its breakthroughs. They're aggressively moving to deny others the very foundation that made their own successes possible. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/o...

Opinion | The White House Tech Bros Owe Their Fortunes to the Research They’re Killing

Underlying many investments are breakthroughs in medicine and technology from great universities.

www.nytimes.com

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Apr 16

He also calls on US colleges and universities to stand together against the “anti-intellectuals [. . .] undermining [. . .] the ability of teachers and researchers to work without political micromanagement in the pursuit of truth, even when these truths are unpopular.” 5/5

Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Apr 16

“At no point did our leadership concede any of these essential principles, which is surely why Columbia has been under Department of Justice investigation “for harboring and concealing illegal aliens on its campus.” 4/5

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Apr 16

“Nor would we collaborate with government agents intent on deporting our students and faculty members simply because they exercised their First Amendment rights.” 3/5

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Apr 16

“Columbia would not allow any government to deny professors their rightful role in personnel decisions or to dictate the content of our curricula.” 2/5

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Apr 16

A really important op-ed from my colleague, Matt Connelly, in our History Department. He sets the record straight on several important facts about Columbia’s response to the Trump administration that have been misreported and mischaracterized. 1/5 www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/o...

Opinion | I’m a Columbia Professor. Here’s the Really Disheartening Part of This Mess.

Where were these voices when the university was under assault from the Trump administration?

www.nytimes.com

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Apr 8

Young scientists are leaving science to stay in the US or leaving the US to stay in science. We’re losing the talent we trained. To lead in medicine, AI, and energy, we must support young scientists as if the future depends on them—because it does. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/03/o...

Opinion | America’s Brightest Minds Will Walk Away

Young researchers are choosing between staying in science and staying in the United States.

www.nytimes.com

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Mar 14

Thanks, Jamie! Tell me about it…

Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Mar 12

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Ed!

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Mar 12

As always, thanks for the support, Heather! I hope all is well (or as well as it can be!) in your neck of the woods!

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Ruben Gonzalez @rubenlgonzalez.bsky.social · Mar 12

As some of you already know, I was appointed Dean of Science at Columbia in December and began my role on Jan 1. It’s an honor to support our students, postdocs, and faculty—especially in this challenging moment. Science at Columbia is strong. #ColumbiaScience fas.columbia.edu/news/ruben-g...

Ruben Gonzalez Appointed Dean of Science | Arts & Sciences

fas.columbia.edu

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Reposted by Ruben Gonzalez

Florian Ullrich @fullrich.bsky.social · Dec 19

This hot-off-press paper reveals how eukaryotic eIF4F recognizes & activates messenger RNA by stochastically sampling along its length & utilizing allosteric communication between its subunits. We get a revised model for mRNA activation & translation initiation.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The mechanism of mRNA cap recognition - Nature

Allosteric communication between the eIF4F subunits drives mRNA cap-recognition and subsequent activation of the message.

www.nature.com

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