Contact Us

Publications – Prof. David Alsteens

Publications Alsteens' lab

2026

2025

“Proximity labelling of internalizing influenza A viruses reveals a role for neogenin in virus uptake”

Milagros Sempere Borau, Victor G. Gisbert, Josephine von Kempis, Laura M. Arroyo-Fernández, Samira Schiefer, David Alsteens, Silke Stertz

PLoS Pathogens (2025),21(7): e1013338→Link

“From viral assembly to host interaction: AFM’s contributions to virology”

Ankita Ray, Joshua D. Simpson, Irem Demir, Victor G. Gisbert, D B. Gomes, Federico Amadei, David Alsteens.

Journal of Virology (2025),99(1): e00873-24.→Link

Probing SARS-CoV-2 membrane binding peptide via single-molecule AFM-based force spectroscopy

Qingrong Zhang, Raissa S.L. Rosa, Ankita Ray, Kimberley Durlet, Gol M. Dorrazehi, Rafael C. Bernardi, David Alsteens

Nature Communications (2025), 16, 6 → Link

2024

“Viral capsid structural assembly governs the reovirus binding interface to NgR1”

Rita dos Santos Natividade, Andra C. Dumitru, Alessandro Nicoli, Michael Strebl, Danica M. Sutherland, Olivia L. Welsh, Thilo Stehle, Terence S. Dermody, Antonella Di Pizio, Melanie Koehler and David Alsteens

Nanoscale Horizons (2024),9, 1925-1937.→Link

“NRP1 is a receptor for mammalian orthoreovirus engaged by distinct capsid subunits”

Pengcheng Shang, Rita dos Santos Natividade, Gwen M. Taylor, Ankita Ray, Olivia L. Welsh, Kay L. Fiske, Danica M. Sutherland, David Alsteens and Terence S. Dermody

Cell Host & Microbe (2024), 32, 980–995→Link

“Probing living cell dynamics and molecular interactions using atomic force microscopy”

 David Alsteens

Biophysical Reviews (2024) 16, 663–677 →Link

“Piezo1 regulation involves lipid domains and the cytoskeleton and is favored by the atomatocyte–discocyte–echinocyte transformation”

Amaury Stommen, Marine Ghodsi, Anne-Sophie Cloos, Louise Conraard, Andra C. Dumitru, Patrick Henriet, Chirstophe E. Pierreux, David Alsteens, Donatienne Tyteca

Biomolecules (2024),14(1) 51 →Link

“Single-molecule investigation of the binding interface stability of SARS-CoV-2 variants with ACE2”

Ankita Ray, Thu Thi Minh Tran, Rita dos Santos Natividade, Rodrigo A. Moreira, Joshua D. Simpson, Danahe Mohammed, Melanie Koehler, Simon J.L Petitjean, Qigrong Zhang, Fabrice Bureau, Laurent Gillet, Adolfo B. Poma, David Alsteens

ACS Nanosciene Au (2024),4 (2) 136-145 →Link

2023

“Plasma membrane nanodeformations promote actin polymerization through CIP4/CDC42 recruitment and regulate type II IFN signaling”

Benjamin Ledoux, Natacha Janin, Jinsung Yang, Vincent Mercier, Charmlotte Coster, Christine Dupont-Gillain, David Alsteens, Pierre Morsomme, Henri-François Renard

Sciences Advances (2023), 9: eade1660 →Link

“AFM-based force spectroscopy unravels stepwise formation of the DNA transposition complex in the widespread Tn3 family mobile genetic elements”

Maricruz Fernandez, Alexander V. Shkumatov, Yun Liu, Claire Stulemeijer, Sylvie Derclaye, Rouslan G. Efremov, Bernard Hallet, David Alsteens

Nucleic Acids Research 2023, 51 (10), 4929–4941→Link

“Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B is an entry receptor for mammalian orthoreovirus”

Pengcheng Shang, Joshua D. Simpson, Gwen M. Taylor, Danica M. Sutherland, Olivia L. Welsh, Pavithra Aravamudhan, Rita Dos Santos Natividade, Kristina Schwab, Joshua J. Michel, Amanda C. Poholek, Yijen Wu, Dhivyaa Rajasundaram, Melanie Koehler, David Alsteens, Terence S. Dermody

Nature Communications (2023),14: e2615→Link

“Deciphering molecular mechanisms stabilizing the reovirus-binding complex”

Rita dos Santos Natividade, Priscila S. F. C. Gomes, Joshua D. Simpson, Sydni Caet Smith, Diego E. B. Gomes, Juliette de Lhoneux, Jinsung Yang, Ankita Ray, Terence S. Dermody, Rafael C. Bernardi, Kristen M. Ogden, David Alsteens

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2023), 120 (21): e2220741120 →Link

“Single-molecule analysis of SARS-CoV-2 binding to C-type lectin receptors”

Joshua D. Simpson, Ankita Ray, Claire Marcon, Rita dos Santos Natividade, Gol Mohammad Dorrazehi, Kimberley Durlet, Melanie Koehler, David Alsteens

Nano Letters (2023),23, 4, 1496–1504→Link

“Cholesterol and sphingomyelin polarize at the leading edge of migrating myoblasts and involve their clustering in submicrometric domains”

Juliette Vanderroost, Noémie Avalosse, Danahe Mohammed, Delia Hoffmann, Patrick Henriet, Christophe E Pierreux, David Alsteens, Donatienne Tyteca

Biomolecules (2023), 13(2), 319 →Link

“Heparin-induced allosteric changes in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein facilitate ACE2 binding and viral entry”

Simon J. L. Petitjean, Savannah Eeckhout, Martin Delguste, Qingrong Zhang, Kimberley Durlet, David Alsteens

Nano Letters (2023), 23, 11678–11684 →Link

“In-depth analysis of the pancreatic extracellular matrix during development for next-generation tissue engineering”

Laura Glorieux, Laura Vandooren, Sylvie Derclaye, Sébastien Pyr dit Ruys, Paloma Oncina-Gil, Anna Salowka, Gaëtan Herinckx, Elias Aajja, Pascale Lemoine, Catherine Spourquet, Hélène Lefort, Patrick Henriet, Donatienne Tyteca, Francesca M. Spagnoli, David Alsteens, Didier Vertommen, Christophe E Pierreux

Int. J. Mol. Sci. (2023), 24(12), 10268 →Link

2022

“Multivalent 9-O-Acetylated-sialic acid glycoclusters as potent inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 infection”

Simon J. L. Petitjean, Wenzhang Chen, Melanie Koehler, Ravikumar Jimmidi, Jinsung Yang, Danahe Mohammed, Blinera Juniku, Megan L. Stanifer, Steeve Boulant, Stéphane P. Vincent, David Alsteens

Nature Communications (2022), 13: 2564→Link

“Nanophysical mapping of inflammasome activation by nanoparticles via specific cell surface recognition events”

Cristina Lo Giudice, Jinsung Yang, Mégane A. Poncin, Laurent Adumeau, Martin Delguste, Melanie Koehler, Koen Evers, Andra C. Dumitru, Kenneth A. Dawson, David Alsteens

ACS Nano (2022), 16, 1, 306–316 →Link

“Stepwise enzymatic-dependent mechanism of Ebola virus binding to cell surface receptors monitored by AFM”

Qingrong Zhang, Jinsung Yang, Sueli Tillieux, Zhengyuan Guo, Rita dos Santos Natividade, Melanie Koehler, Simon Petitjean, Zongqiang Cui, David Alsteens

Nano Letters (2022), 22, 4, 1641–1648 →Link

“Atomic force microscopy applied to interrogate nanoscale cellular chemistry and supramolecular bond dynamics for biomedical applications”

Joshua D. Simpson, Ankita Ray, Melanie Koehler, Danahe Mohammed, David Alsteens

Chemical Communications (2022), 58, 5072-5087 →Link

“Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge as a Potential Natural Compound against COVID‐19”

Simon J. L. Petitjean, Marylène Lecocq, Camille Lelong, Robin Denis, Sylvie Defrère, Pierre-Antoine Mariage, David Alsteens, Charles Pilette

Cells (2022), 11(8), 1311 →Link

“Surface cholesterol-enriched domains specifically promote invasion of breast cancer cell lines by controlling invadopodia and extracellular matrix degradation”

Mauriane Maja, Danahe Mohammed, Andra C. Dumitru, Sandrine Verstraeten, Maxime Lingurski, Marie-Paule Mingeot-Leclercq, David Alsteens, Donatienne Tyteca

Cell Mol. Life Sci. (2022), 79, 417 →Link

2021

“Single-Virus Force Spectroscopy Discriminates the Intrinsic Role of Two Viral Glycoproteins upon Cell Surface Attachment”

A. Ray, M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 730-735 →Link

“Stress-Induced Catch-Bonds to Enhance Bacterial Adhesion”

D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 710-715 →Link

“Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Force Spectroscopy and Multiparametric Imaging of Biomolecular and Cellular Systems”

A. Ray, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 690-695 →Link

“Impaired Cytoskeletal and Membrane Biophysical Properties of Acanthocytes in Hypobetalipoproteinemia – A Case Study”

M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 670-675 →Link

“Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation Enhances TDP-43 LCD Aggregation but Delays Seeded Aggregation”

A. Ray, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 650-655 →Link

“Reovirus directly engages integrin to recruit clathrin for entry into host cells”

D. Alsteens, M. Koehler

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 630-635 →Link

“Rotavirus Binding to Cell Surface Receptors Directly Recruiting α2 Integrin”

A. Ray, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 620-625 →Link

“Probing PIEZO1 Localization upon Activation Using High-Resolution Atomic Force and Confocal Microscopy”

M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 600-605 →Link

“Force spectroscopy of single cells using atomic force microscopy”

D. Alsteens, F. Bureau

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 580-585 →Link

“Altered Glycan Expression on Breast Cancer Cells Facilitates Infection by T3 Serotype Oncolytic Reovirus”

A. Ray, M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 560-565 →Link

“Role of the redox state of Human Peroxiredoxin-5 on its TLR4-activating DAMP function”

D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 540-545 →Link

“Molecular insights into receptor binding energetics and neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants”

M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 520-525 →Link

2020

“Endophilin-A3 and Galectin-8 control the clathrin-independent endocytosis of CD166.”

F. Bureau, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 500-505 →Link

“Control of ligand-binding specificity using photocleavable linkers in AFM force spectroscopy”

J. Zhang, M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 486-491 →Link

“Initial step of virus entry: Virion binding to cell-surface glycans”

D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 470-475 →Link

“Mechanochemical Activation of Class-B G-Protein-Coupled Receptor upon Peptide–Ligand Binding”

F. Bureau, M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Chemical Biology (2020), 16, 456-462 →Link

“The Trypanosoma Brucei KIFC1 Kinesin Ensures the Fast Antibody Clearance Required for Parasite Infectivity”

D. Alsteens, M. Koehler

Nature Methods (2020), 17, 1275-1280 →Link

“Multiparametric Atomic Force Microscopy Identifies Multiple Structural and Physical Heterogeneities on the Surface of Trypanosoma brucei”

J. Zhang, D. Alsteens

Nature Methods (2020), 17, 1260-1265 →Link

“Reovirus σ1 conformational flexibility modulates the efficiency of host cell attachment”

D. Alsteens

Nature Methods (2020), 17, 1245-1250 →Link

“Force-clamp spectroscopy identifies a catch bond mechanism in a Gram-positive pathogen”

M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Methods (2020), 17, 1230-1235 →Link

“Label‐Free Imaging of Cholesterol Assemblies Reveals Hidden Nanomechanics of Breast Cancer Cells”

A. Ray, D. Alsteens

Nature Methods (2020), 17, 1215-1220 →Link

“Molecular interaction and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 binding to the ACE2 receptor”

M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Methods (2020), 17, 1200-1204 →Link

“Submolecular probing of the complement C5a receptor–ligand binding reveals a cooperative two-site binding mechanism”

D. Mohammed, D. Alsteens

Nature Methods (2019), 16, 1182-1188 →Link

2019

“Atomic force microscopy-based mechanobiology”

F. Bureau, D. Alsteens

Nature Methods (2019), 16, 1170-1174 →Link

“Seeing and sensing single G protein-coupled receptors by atomic force microscopy”

D. Alsteens

Nature Methods (2019), 16, 1157-1162 →Link

“Regulatory mechanisms of the mucin-like region on Herpes Simplex virus during cellular attachment”

M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Methods (2019), 16, 1145-1150 →Link

“Probing ligand-receptor bonds in physiologically relevant conditions using AFM”

A. Ray, D. Mohammed, M. Koehler

Nature Methods (2019), 16, 1130-1134 →Link

“Glycan-mediated enhancement of reovirus receptor binding”

A. Ray, M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature Methods (2019), 16, 1114-1122 →Link

2018

“Nanoscale membrane architecture of healthy and pathological red blood cells”

D. Alsteens

Nature (2019), 574(7777), 1042-1046 →Link

“Topography imaging of herpesvirus in native condition using atomic force microscopy”

S. Petitjean, D. Alsteens

Nature (2019), 574(7777), 1024-1029 →Link

“Mechanical Forces Guiding Staphylococcus aureus Cellular Invasion”

A. Dumitru, D. Alsteens

Nature (2019), 574(7777), 1006-1010 →Link

“Specific Interactions Measured by AFM on Living Cells between Peroxiredoxin-5 and TLR4: Relevance for Mechanisms of Innate Immunity”

M. Koehler, D. Alsteens

Nature (2019), 574(7777), 989-993 →Link

“High-resolution mapping and recognition of lipid domains using AFM with toxin-derivatized probes”

A. Stommen, D. Alsteens

Nature (2019), 574(7777), 968-972 →Link

“A molecular mechanism for Wnt ligand-specific signaling”

Y. De Mey, D. Alsteens

Nature (2019), 574(7777), 950-954 →Link

“Multivalent binding of herpesvirus to living cells is tightly regulated during infection”

K. El-Battari, D. Alsteens

Nature (2019), 574(7777), 934-939 →Link

2017

“Nanomechanical mapping of first binding steps of a virus to animal cells”

D. Alsteens, Q. Zhang

Nature (2019), 574(7777), 828-832 →Link

“Multiparametric atomic force microscopy imaging of biomolecular and cellular systems”

S. Petitjean, D. Alsteens

Nature (2019), 574(7777), 812-816 →Link

“Imaging modes of atomic force microscopy for application in molecular and cell biology.”

D. Alsteens

Nature (2019), 574(7777), 800-805 →Link

“Atomic force microscopy-based characterization and design of biointerfaces”

D. Alsteens, F. Bureau, S. Petitjean

Nat. Commun. (2020) →Link

“Force-induced strengthening of the interaction between Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor B and loricrin”

D. Alsteens, S. Petitjean, M. Koehler

Nat. Commun. (2020) →Link

“Biophysics: Rapid mass changes measured in cells”

D. Alsteens, J. Dumitru, F. Bureau

Nat. Commun. (2020) →Link

“Combining confocal and atomic force microscopy to quantify single-virus binding to mammalian cell surfaces”

D. Alsteens, F. Bureau, M. Koehler

Nat. Commun. (2019) →Link

2016

“Study of membrane receptors by atomic force microscopy”

D. Alsteens, S. Petitjean, J. Dumitru

PNAS (2019) →Link

“Mechanical strength and inhibition of the Staphylococcus aureus collagen-binding protein Cna”

D. Alsteens, F. Bureau, M. Koehler

Nat. Commun. (2019) →Link

“The biomechanical properties of an epithelial tissue determine the location of its vasculature”

D. Alsteens, J. Dumitru, S. Petitjean

Nat. Commun. (2018) →Link

2015

“Towards high-throughput biomechanical phenotyping of single molecules”

D. Alsteens, S. Petitjean, F. Bureau

Nat. Commun. (2018) →Link

“Force nanoscopy of hydrophobic interactions in the fungal pathogen Candida glabrata”

D. Alsteens, Y. F. Dufrêne, M. Koehler

PNAS (2018) →Link

“Single-molecule force spectroscopy of membrane proteins from membranes freely spanning across nanoscopic pores”

D. Alsteens, F. Bureau, S. Petitjean

PNAS (2017) →Link

“Imaging of G-protein coupled receptors while quantifying their ligand-binding free energy landscape”

D. Alsteens, S. Petitjean, M. Koehler

Nat. Commun. (2017) →Link

“Imaging single G-protein coupled receptors while quantifying their binding to two different ligands”

D. Alsteens, M. Koehler, F. Bureau

Nat. Commun. (2017) →Link

2014

“Quantifying the forces guiding microbial cell adhesion using single-cell force spectroscopy”

D. Alsteens, Y. F. Dufrêne, F. Bureau

Nature Methods (2017) →Link

“Atomic force and electron microscopic-based study of sarcolemmal surface of living cardiomyocytes unveils unexpected mitochondrial shift in heart failure”

D. Alsteens, P. Chatton, F. Beau, M. Garcı́a-Mendı́a

J. Biol. Chem. (2016) →Link

“Localizing chemical groups while imaging single native proteins by high-resolution AFM”

D. Alsteens, S. Petitjean, F. Bureau, J. M. Raoult

Nat. Commun. (2016) →Link

2013

“Nanoscale analysis of caspofungin-induced cell surface remodeling in Candida albicans”

D. Alsteens, Y. F. Dufrêne, P. Lipke

Nat. Commun. (2016) →Link

“Adhesion and nanomechanics of pili from the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG”

D. Alsteens, C. Borghese, A. Lebeer, Y. F. Dufrêne

PNAS (2016) →Link

“Single-cell force spectroscopy of probiotic bacteria”

D. Alsteens, V. Verdier, A. Lebeer, Y. F. Dufrêne

Nature Communications (2015) →Link

“Role of the amyloid region in the formation and propagation of Als adhesive nanodomains on Candida albicans”

D. Alsteens, Y. F. Dufrêne, P. Lipke

PLOS Pathogens (2015) →Link

“Single-molecule analysis of the major glycopolymers of pathogenic and non-pathogenic yeast cells”

D. Alsteens, S. Petitjean, C. Mignon, D. Alsteens, Y.F. Dufrêne

Nat. Commun. (2015) →Link

“Single-cell force spectroscopy of Als-mediated fungal adhesion”

D. Alsteens, P. Lipke, M. Garcia

PNAS (2014) →Link

“Unraveling the nanoscale surface properties of Chitin synthase mutants of Aspergillus fumigatus and their biological implications”

D. Alsteens, F. Beau, P. Montforts, J.-P. Latgé

Nature Communications (2014) →Link

“Sequential unfolding of beta helical protein by single-molecule atomic force microscopy”

D. Alsteens, L. Giudice, M. Ricci, S. Gidalevitz

Science (2014) →Link

“Multiparametric imaging of biological systems by force-distance curve-based AFM”

D. Alsteens, F. Hamdi, S. Caselli, A. Savatier, L. Severin

Nature Methods (2014) →Link

“Atomic force microscopy: a new look at pathogens”

D. Alsteens, Y.F. Dufrêne

Trends Microbiol. (2014) →Link

“Quantifying the forces driving cell-cell adhesion in a fungal pathogen”

D. Alsteens, J.-F. Colletier, L. Rahman, P. Lipke, Y.F. Dufrêne

Nature Communications (2014) →Link

“Multiparametric atomic force microscopy imaging of single bacteriophage extruding from living bacteria”

D. Alsteens, F. Henrich, L. Severin, D. Alsteens, Y.F. Dufrêne

ACS Nano (2014) →Link

2012

“Strenghtening relationships: Amyloids create adhesion nanodomains in yeasts”

D. Alsteens, J. Ogiwara, P. Lipke, C.B. Ramsook

PLOS One (2013) →Link

“Microbial cells analysis by atomic force microscopy”

D. Alsteens, G. Dupres, V. Dupres, Y.F. Dufrêne

Cell. Microbiol. (2013) →Link

“Unzipping a functional microbial amyloid”

D. Alsteens, T.C. Meredith, J.-C. Andre, Y.F. Dufrêne, G. Mourez

Nat. Commun. (2013) →

“Atomic force microscopy–looking at mechanosensors on the cell surface”

J.J Heinisch, P.N. Lipke, A. Beaussart, S. El Kirat Chatel, V. Dupres, D. Alsteens, Y.F. Dufrêne

Journal of Cell Science (2012) →Link

“Chitin synthases with a myosin motor-like domain control the resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus to echinocandins”

D. Beauvais, D. Alsteens, G. Beau, R. Roux, M. Ekert, C. Cordonnier, S. Elbim, L. Malvezzi, J. Latgé, J.P. Latgé

Nature Communications (2013) →Link

“Single-molecule imaging and functional analysis of Als adhesins and mannans during Candida albicans morphogenesis”

A. Beaussart, D. Alsteens, S. El-Kirat-Chatel, D. Lipke, Y.F. Dufrêne

ACS Nano (2012) →Link

“High-resolution imaging of chemical and biological sites on living cells using peak force tapping atomic force microscopy”

D. Alsteens, V. Dupres, S. Yunus, J.P. Latgé, Y.F. Dufrêne

Langmuir (2012) →Link

2011

“Frontiers in microbial nanoscopy”

D. Alsteens, V. Dupres, G. Andre, Y.F. Dufrêne

Nanomedicine (2011) →Link

“The Pseudomonas aeruginosa membranes: a target for a new amphiphilic aminoglycoside derivative?”

M. Ouberai, F. El Garch, A. Bussiere, M. Riou, S. Ladant, D. Alsteens, J.-M. Ghigo, F. Blondiaux, C. Henry, D. Francius

Biochim. Biophys. Acta-Biomembr. (2011) →Link

“A role for amyloid in cell aggregation and biofilm formation”

M.C. Garcia, J.T. Lee, C.B. Ramsook, D. Alsteens, P.N. Lipke

PLOS One (2011) →Link

Prof. Alsteens'Lab

The Lab

NanoBiophysics

The nBIO lab is hosted by the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium and is part of the Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST).

Quick Links

Other Pages

Contact Info

  • Croix du Sud 4-5, L7.07.07
    1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve
  • Mon - Fri : 8:30AM to 5:00PM

Copyright © 

2026

 NanoBioPhysics​ Lab

Top