Academic Staff

My research is focused on developing image analysis methods that enable quantification of the plant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and identification of novel ER shaping proteins. Of particular interest is the Lunapark protein family which play a key role in maintaining proper ER structure and contains the first known cisternae specific marker. I have a strong focus on image analysis and advanced microscopy techniques.

Research updates available at @Charly_Pain

Journal articles

• Pain C, Kriechbaumer V, 'Defining the dance: quantification and classification of ER dynamics'
  Journal of Experimental Botany 71 (6) (2019) pp.1757-1762
  ISSN: 0022-0957 eISSN: 1460-2431
  Abstract

  The availability of quantification methods for sub-cellular organelle dynamic analysis has increased rapidly over the last 20 years. The application of these techniques to contiguous sub-cellular structures that exhibit dynamic re-modelling over a range of scales and orientations is challenging as quantification of ‘movement’ rarely corresponds to traditional, qualitative classifications of types of organelle movement. The plant endoplasmic reticulum represents a particular challenge for dynamic quantification as it itself is an entirely contiguous organelle that is in a constant state of flux and gross remodelling, controlled by the actinomyosin cytoskeleton.
  

  Website 

Pain, C. Kriechbaumer, V. Kittelmann, M. Hawes, C. & Fricker, M. (2019). Quantitative analysis of plant ER architecture and dynamics. Nature Communications, 10(1), 984.

Kriechbaumer, V. Breeze, E. Pain, C. Tolmie, F. Frigerio, L. & Hawes, C. (2018). Arabidopsis Lunapark proteins are involved in ER cisternae formation. New Phytologist, 219(3), 990–1004.