Francis T.F. Tsai

Francis T.F. Tsai, D.Phil.

Professor

(713) 798-8668

Email

ftsai@bcm.edu

Positions

Professor: Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
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Professor: Molecular & Cellular Biology
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Professor: Molecular Virology & Microbiology
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Member: Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center
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Houston, Texas, United States

Member: Center for Drug Discovery
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Houston, Texas, United States

Addresses

Department of Biochemistry (Office): ��vlog�� of Medicine
Houston, TX, 77030-3498
United States
Phone: (713) 798-8668
ftsai@bcm.edu

Education

Advanced Training from Yale University / HHMI: 10/2000 - New Haven, Connecticut, United States

D.Phil. from University of Oxford: 10/1997 - Oxford, Oxon, United Kingdom

BSc from Univ. of London (Imperial College): 08/1993 - London, South Kensington, United Kingdom

Honors & Awards

Georgia Cancer Center Distinguished Guest Lecturer: (01/2019)

Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research: (02/2008)

Research Scholar of the American Cancer Society: (01/2008 - 12/2011)

Scientist of the American Heart Association: (01/2001 - 12/2004)

Wellcome Trust International Prize Travelling Postdoctoral Fellow: (01/1997 - 12/1999)

NIH NRSA (F32) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (declined): (11/1996)

Associate of the Royal College of Science, United Kingdom: (08/1993)

Professional Interests

Protein Structure-Function and Protein Folding
Structural Biology and Macromolecular Assemblies
Cryo-electron Microscopy and Tomography
Membranes and Membrane Proteins
Enzymology
Gene Expression and Regulation
Cancer
Antibiotic Resistance
Nano Medicine and Drug Design
Bacteria and Phage
Yeast and Dictyostelium

Professional Statement

Mitochondria degeneration and dysfunction are hallmarks of aging-related human diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and related dementias. Our laboratory uses cutting-edge structural biology methods, as well as biochemistry, molecular, and chemical biology to understand how protein quality control machines maintain proteostasis under normal and pathological conditions, and to identify factors that selectively induce apoptosis, for instance, of cancer cells. A key objective is to dissect the molecular interactions between stress chaperones and energy-dependent proteases, and how protein machines harness metabolic energy to assist in protein folding as well as unfolding, and selectively degrade excess and damaged proteins. We are motivated to better understand mechanisms regulating proteostasis in cells originating from all domains of life, and to exploit our molecular understanding to restore proteostasis balance in disease states.

We value diversity in all its forms, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and nationality, and strive to cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment for research.

Websites

Tsai Lab Website

Selected Publications

Ho A, Lee S, Tsai FTF. " " arXiv. 2025 Sep 23; 2509.19586
Lee S, Lee SB, Sung N, Xu WW, Chang C, Kim HE, Catic A, Tsai FTF. " " Nature Commun. 2023 ; 14 : 2028.
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Lee G, Kim RS, Lee SB, Lee S, Tsai FTF. " " Biochem. Soc. Trans. 2022 ; 50 : 1725-36.
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Mercado JM, Lee S, Chang C, Sung N, Soong L, Catic A, Tsai FTF. " " Proteins. 2022 ; 90 : 1242-6.
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Lee S, Roh SH, Lee J, Sung N, Liu J, Tsai FTF. " " Cell Rep. 2019 ; 26 : 29-36.
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Sung N, Lee J, Kim JH, Chang C, Joachimiak A, Lee S, Tsai FT. " " Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2016 ; 113 : 2952-7.
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Lee J, Kim JH, Biter AB, Sielaff B, Lee S, Tsai FT. " " Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2013 ; 110 : 8513-8.
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Biter AB, Lee S, Sung N, Tsai FT. " " Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2012 ; 109 : 12515-20.
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Lee S, Augustin S, Tatsuta T, Gerdes F, Langer T, Tsai FT. " " J. Biol. Chem. 2011 ; 286 : 4404-11.
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Sielaff B, Lee KS, Tsai FT. " " J. Mol. Biol. 2011 ; 405 : 831-9.
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Lee S, Sielaff B, Lee J, Tsai FT. " " Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2010 ; 107 : 8135-40.
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Lee S, Choi JM, Tsai FT. " " Mol. Cell. 2007 ; 25 : 261-71.
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Weibezahn J, Tessarz P, Schlieker C, Zahn R, Maglica Z, Lee S, Zentgraf H, Weber-Ban EU, Dougan DA, Tsai FT, Mogk A, Bukau B. " " Cell. 2004 ; 119 : 653-65.
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Lee S, Sowa ME, Watanabe YH, Sigler PB, Chiu W, Yoshida M, Tsai FT. " " Cell. 2003 ; 115 : 229-40.
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Tsai FT, Sigler PB. " " EMBO J. 2000 ; 19 : 25-36.
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