Jonathon Ditlev

Dr. Jonathon Ditlev is a Scientist in the Molecular Medicine Program at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Research Institute. Dr. Ditlev earned his B.S. in Biology from Calvin College in 2003. Following graduation, he worked as a research assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Bin Tean Teh at the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2012, he earned his PhD at the University of Connecticut Health Center under the advisorship of Drs. Bruce Mayer and Les Loew. Dr. Ditlev was a Ruth L. Kirschstein post-doctoral fellow at UT Southwestern Medical Center under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Rosen. He joined the SickKids Research Institute and the University of Toronto Department of Biochemistry in 2019.

Research in my lab focuses on understanding the biophysical mechanisms and functional consequences of biological phase separation in neuronal and immunological signal transduction. Phase separation has emerged as a key mechanism that regulates cellular organization. Biomolecular condensates, or ‘membrane-less organelles’, concentrate specific proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules without an encapsulating membrane. I have previously demonstrated the role that phase separation plays in regulating signal transduction, local actin rearrangement, and membrane cluster organization in studies that are published in Science and ELife. 

We use a combination of biophysical analysis, biochemical reconstitution, and cell biology to understand how the composition of biomolecular condensates dictates the function of the condensate. We are interested in understanding how the emergent biophysical properties of membrane associated phase separated condensates regulate membrane receptor organization and signal transduction in neurons and immune cells. In neurons, we are studying the role that the postsynaptic density plays in local actin polymerization, ion flux through membranes, and local RNA translation as well as understanding how the intrinsic biophysical properties of condensates determine the ability of condensates to associate with or repel other condensates on membranes. In immune cells, we are studying the role that phase separation of both lipids and proteins plays in regulating cell signaling and membrane associated signaling cluster organization.

Appointments, Cross Affiliations, Memberships

Molecular Medicine Program at The Hospital for Sick Children

Courses Taught

BCH2136H Biological Condensates

Awards

2014-2017 — NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award