SC Sami Chaaban

Curriculum Vitae

Investigator Scientist in molecular and structural biology.

Based at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK. I combine cryo-EM, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, and computational analysis to decode microtubule motors and filament dynamics.

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MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology McGill University

Experience

Investigator Scientist, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Cambridge, United Kingdom - Aug 2024 to present
Investigating large molecular assemblies using biochemistry, structural biology, and light microscopy.
Developing computational tools for cryo-EM and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy (github.com/sami-chaaban).
Designing de novo protein binders to target cellular proteins, modulate conformations, and improve cryo-EM detection.
Postdoctoral Fellow, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Cambridge, United Kingdom - Sep 2019 to Aug 2024
Specialized in cryo-EM method development and integrative analysis of dynamic macromolecular complexes (dynein-dynactin-microtubule and ESCRT-III assemblies) under the supervision of Dr. Andrew P. Carter, FRS.
Solved the structure of the ~4 MDa dynein-dynactin complex, revealing how its architecture enables regulated motor activity.
Guided students through advanced research techniques, including supervision of a Master's thesis.
Earned competitive awards and fellowships, including an EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship and Joan A. Steitz Postdoc Prize.
Spearheaded institute-wide deployment of structure prediction and protein design software (e.g., AlphaFold, BindCraft), integrating tools with the SLURM compute cluster.

Education

PhD, Biology, McGill University
Montreal, Canada - Sep 2013 to Aug 2019
Used biophysical and structural techniques to investigate the protein tubulin from Caenorhabditis elegans, revealing broader insights into tubulin dynamics, supervised by Gary Brouhard.
Awarded the Alexander Graham Bell Graduate Scholarship and Cellular Dynamics of Macromolecular Complexes Scholarship.
Graduated with distinction.
Transferred from the MSc program (2011-2013) directly into the PhD program.
BSc, Biology, McGill University
Montreal, Canada - Sep 2007 to May 2011
Dean's Honour List (Science 2008-2009, Engineering 2007-2008); GPA 3.87/4.00.
President, Biology Undergraduate Student Union; teaching assistant roles.

Awards and fellowships

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Special Awards Scheme
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology - 2023, 2024
Joan A. Steitz Postdoctoral Prize
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology - 2022
Read about it here.
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship
European Molecular Biology Organization - 2020 to 2022
Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship
NSERC - 2014 to 2017
Graduate Excellence Award
Department of Biology, McGill University - 2017
Lorne Trottier Science Accelerator Fellowship
Faculty of Science, McGill University - 2014
Bourse de Doctorat en Recherche (Declined)
FRQNT - 2014
Kenneth Downes Award
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, McGill University - 2012
Cellular Dynamics of Macromolecular Complexes Scholarship
NSERC - 2012

Invited and competitive talks (selected)

Dynein meeting
Talk, Poster - Ann Arbor, MI, USA - Jul 2025
FASEB Cytoskeleton Meeting
Poster - Massachusetts, USA - 2025
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Talk, Poster - Heidelberg, Germany - Jun 2024
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Biophysics seminar series
Annual lecture: AlphaFold use and applications - Cambridge, UK - 2023 to present
Human Technopole
Structure of the dynein motor complex bound to microtubules (Invited talk) - Milan, Italy (virtual) - 2023
Centre de Recherche en Biologie Structurale, McGill University
Structure of the dynein motor complex bound to microtubules (Invited talk) - Montreal, Canada - Jul 2022
Microtubule Meeting
Talk - Edinburgh, Scotland - 2022
American Society for Cell Biology
Poster - Washington, DC, USA - 2022
Gordon Research Conference: Cytoskeletal motors
Poster - Vermont, USA - 2022
American Society for Cell Biology
Talk, Poster - Philadelphia, USA - 2018

Outreach and teaching

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Biophysics Seminar Series
Cambridge, UK - 2023 to present
Giving annual lectures at the biophysics seminar series hosted by the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology.
Providing an introduction to protein structure prediction, focusing on AlphaFold.
Describing how to interpret AlphaFold results and use it in hypothesis-driven and curiosity-driven research.
Open Day Organizer, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Cambridge, UK - Jul 2023
Designed and delivered public-facing, hands-on demonstrations to help the local community learn about molecular biology.
Created 3D-printed dynein/kinesin models with magnets to assemble motor–microtubule complexes and demonstrate binding interactions.
Built a Raspberry Pi–driven LED display showcasing single-molecule fluorescence data on a large, wall-mounted neuron cutout.
Developed a simplified microscopy assay to visualize single molecules moving and to support interactive outreach demonstrations.
Music Teacher, Lighthouse Grace Academy
Nairobi, Kenya - Jul 2011 to Aug 2011
Volunteered as a teacher in an understaffed community/orphanage school, supporting day-to-day delivery of core subjects alongside local teachers and other volunteers.
Taught beginner guitar and rhythm lessons, introducing core techniques and timing through structured exercises and group practice.
Introduced basic music theory (note reading, rhythm patterns) and translated concepts into practical, hands-on activities.
Coached students in instrumental and vocal practice and group performance, encouraging participation, confidence, and teamwork.
Music Teacher & Mentor, Youth Association of the Blind
Tripoli, Lebanon - Jul 2009 to Aug 2009
Collaborated to run a summer camp for visually impaired children, recruiting and coordinating volunteers to teach life skills and general education.
Monitored, guided, and taught students across multiple disciplines (with a focus on music instruction), and supervised field trips and school events.
Tutor, Science Undergraduate Society of McGill University
Montreal, Canada - Sep 2008 to Jan 2010
Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Mechanics, Electromagnetism.

Leadership and service

Curriculum Committee Representative, Biology Graduate Student Association
McGill University - Jan 2014 to May 2019
President, McGill Biology Student Union
McGill University - Sep 2010 to May 2011
VP Communications, McGill Biology Student Union
McGill University - Sep 2009 to May 2010

Selected publications

Asgard archaea reveal the conserved principles of ESCRT-III membrane remodeling
Science Advances - 2025
Souza DP*, Espadas J*, Chaaban S*, Moody ERR, Hatano T, Balasubramanian M, Williams TA, Roux A, Baum B.
Adapted a filament analysis method to solve proteins decorating membranes.
Navigating protein structure prediction in the era of machine learning
The Biochemist - 2024
Chaaban S*, Ratkevičiūtė G*, Lau C*.
Review of structure prediction applications and limitations.
A force-sensitive mutation reveals a non-canonical role for dynein in anaphase progression
Journal of Cell Biology - 2024
Salvador-Garcia D, Jin L, Hensley A, Gölcük M, Gallaud E, Chaaban S, Port F, Vagnoni A, Planelles-Herrero VJ, McClintock MA, Derivery E, Carter AP, Giet R, Gür M, Yildiz A, Bullock SL.
Used AlphaFold2 to interpret dynein-tubulin interactions.
Structure of dynein-dynactin on microtubules shows tandem adaptor binding
Nature - 2022
Chaaban S, Carter AP.
Cryo-EM method for sparsely decorated microtubules.
The structure and dynamics of C. elegans tubulin reveals the mechanistic basis of microtubule growth
Developmental Cell - 2018
Chaaban S, Jariwala S, Hsu C-T, Redemann S, Kollman JM, Müller-Reichert T, Sept D, Bui KH, Brouhard GJ.
Single-molecule biophysics and cryo-EM of dynamic filaments.
A microtubule bestiary: structural diversity in tubulin polymers
Molecular Biology of the Cell - 2017
Chaaban S, Brouhard GJ.
Surveyed microtubule diversity across species.
The synthetic diazonamide DZ-2384 has distinct effects on microtubule curvature and dynamics without neurotoxicity
Science Translational Medicine - 2016
Wieczorek M, Tcherkezian J, Bernier C, Prota AE, Chaaban S, Rolland Y, Godbout C, Hancock MA, Arezzo JC, Ocal O, Rocha C, Olieric N, Hall A, Ding H, Bramoullé A, Annis MG, Zogopoulos G, Harran PG, Wilkie TM, Brekken RA, Siegel PM, Steinmetz MO, Shore GC, Brouhard GJ, Roulston A.
Analyzed tubulin polymer conformations under drug treatment.
Macromolecular crowding pushes catalyzed microtubule growth to near the theoretical limit
Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering - 2013
Wieczorek M*, Chaaban S*, Brouhard GJ.
Biophysical properties of tubulin polymerization with crowding agents.

Skills

Programming
Python
Shell scripting (Bash, Csh)
Languages
English (native)
French (professional)
Arabic (intermediate)
Hobbies
Piano (jazz, improvisation)
Acoustic guitar
Bouldering