Jianbin Ruan

The lab focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of innate immune signaling, especially signal transduction pathways of pyroptosis and inflammation using multi-disciplinary approaches including cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) and X-ray crystallography. The lab also studies the host-pathogen interactions by elucidating the mechanisms how pore-forming proteins/toxins recognize the specific receptors, such as sugars, lipids, and proteins on the membrane of the target cells and mediate cell death. The study will allow us to develop new therapeutic strategies against inflammasome related diseases and microbial infections.

[2026] Structural basis and regulation of GSDME pore formation. [2026] LPS-induced structural reorganization and polymerization drive noncanonical inflammasome activation. [2025] Endolysosomal damage surveillance enables rapid inflammasome sensing of pathogens. [2025] LPS binding caspase activation and recruitment domains (CARDs) are bipartite lipid binding modules. [2024] Transplantation of gasdermin pores by extracellular vesicles propagates pyroptosis to bystander cells. [2024] A bacterial toxin co-opts caspase-3 to disable active gasdermin D and limit macrophage pyroptosis. [2023] Structural basis for GSDMB pore formation and its targeting by IpaH7.8.