How do cells assemble the mitotic spindle and ensure correct chromosomal segregation?
Improper chromosomal segregation during cell division is an underlying cause of birth defects and may participate in the etiology of certain cancers. Understanding how the mitotic spindle assembles and partitions chromosomes is, therefore, a fundamental goal of cell biology that also has a significant impact on human health. The lab is using Drosophila cells as a system in which to identify molecules that are essential for the faithful segregation of chromosomes. Selected publications: Kim H, Ling SC, Rogers GC, Kural C, Selvin PR, Rogers SL, Gelfand VI. (2007) Microtubule binding by dynactin is required for microtubule organization but not cargo transport. J Cell Biol. 176:641-51. Dean SO, Rogers SL, Stuurman N, Vale RD, Spudich JA. (2005) Distinct pathways control recruitment and maintenance of myosin II at the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102:13473-8. Mennella V, Rogers GC, Rogers SL, Buster DW, Vale RD and Sharp DJ. (2005) Functionally distinct kinesin