Claire Thomas
Associate Professor of Biology and of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
-
617 Mueller Lab
University Park, PA 16802 - She/Her
- gxt5@psu.edu
- 814-863-0716
Research Summary
Roles of the cytoskeleton at the cell membrane in epithelial cells, including issues of cell polarity and adhesion, cell signaling, and morphogenesis.
Huck Affiliations
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences
- One Health Microbiome Center
- Center for Cellular Dynamics
Links
Most Recent Publications
Spectrin is a mechanoresponsive protein shaping fusogenic synapse architecture during myoblast fusion
Rui Duan, Ji Hoon Kim, Khurts Shilagardi, Eric S. Schiffhauer, Donghoon M. Lee, Sungmin Son, Shuo Li, Claire Thomas, Tianzhi Luo, Daniel A. Fletcher, Douglas N. Robinson, Elizabeth H. Chen, 2018, Nature Cell Biology on p. 688-698
Spectrin tetramer formation is not required for viable development in drosophila
Mansi R. Khanna, Floyd J. Mattie, Kristen C. Browder, Megan D. Radyk, Stephanie E. Crilly, Katelyn J. Bakerink, Sandra L. Harper, David W. Speicher, Graham H. Thomas, 2015, Journal of Biological Chemistry on p. 706-715
Cytoplasmic capes are nuclear envelope intrusions that are enriched in endosomal proteins and depend upon β<sub>H</sub>-Spectrin and Annexin B9
Juan Wu, Katelyn J. Bakerink, Meagan E. Evangelista, Graham H. Thomas, 2014, PLoS One
Annexin B9 binds to β<sub>H</sub>-spectrin and is required for multivesicular body function in Drosophila
Monika Tjota, Seung Kyu Lee, Juan Wu, Janice A. Williams, Mansi R. Khanna, Graham H. Thomas, 2011, The Quarterly journal of microscopical science on p. 2914-2926
Rac1 modulation of the apical domain is negatively regulated by β <sub>Heavy</sub>-spectrin
Seung Kyu Lee, Graham H. Thomas, 2011, Cell Differentiation and Development on p. 116-128
Towards a membrane proteome in Drosophila: A method for the isolation of plasma membrane
Mansi R. Khanna, Bruce A. Stanley, Graham H. Thomas, 2010, BMC Genomics
The cell adhesion molecule Roughest depends on ßH<sub>eavy-</sub>spectrin during eye morphogenesis in Drosophila
Hyun Gwan Lee, Daniela Zarnescu, Bryce MacIver, Graham H. Thomas, 2010, The Quarterly journal of microscopical science on p. 277-285
Brush border spectrin is required for early endosome recycling in Drosophila
Matthew D. Phillips, Graham H. Thomas, 2006, The Quarterly journal of microscopical science on p. 1361-1370
The C-terminal domain of Drosophila β<sub>Heavy</sub>-spectrin exhibits autonomous membrane association and modulates membrane area
Janice A. Williams, Bryce MacIver, Elizabeth Klipfell, Graham H. Thomas, 2004, The Quarterly journal of microscopical science on p. 771-782
Conformational compliance of spectrins in membrane deformation, morphogenesis and signaling
Graham Thomas, Discher Dennis, 2003, on p. 213-241
Most-Cited Papers
Spectrin is a mechanoresponsive protein shaping fusogenic synapse architecture during myoblast fusion
Rui Duan, Ji Hoon Kim, Khurts Shilagardi, Eric S. Schiffhauer, Donghoon M. Lee, Sungmin Son, Shuo Li, Claire Thomas, Tianzhi Luo, Daniel A. Fletcher, Douglas N. Robinson, Elizabeth H. Chen, 2018, Nature Cell Biology on p. 688-698
Spectrin tetramer formation is not required for viable development in drosophila
Mansi R. Khanna, Floyd J. Mattie, Kristen C. Browder, Megan D. Radyk, Stephanie E. Crilly, Katelyn J. Bakerink, Sandra L. Harper, David W. Speicher, Graham H. Thomas, 2015, Journal of Biological Chemistry on p. 706-715
News Articles Featuring Claire Thomas
Apr 10, 2025
Graduating senior reflects on undergraduate research experiences at Penn State
Maria Lovallo is a Penn State undergrad from Spring Mills, PA, majoring in Microbiology with a minor in Plant Pathology & Environmental Microbiology. She is also a teaching assistant in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and a member of the Huck Institutes’ One Health Microbiome Center.
Full Article
Nov 09, 2020
Rainbow Science Network: Inclusive scientists, inclusive science
After six months of design and preparation, the Rainbow Science Network (RSN) launched in October and is ready to assist in fostering a fully inclusive environment in research groups in the Eberly College of Science.
Full Article