Our lab is interested in understanding the fundamentals of centrosome biogenesis.
We aim to uncovering the mechanisms that control the centriole duplication and centrosome maturation cycles. Through our own genome-wide RNAi screen and from other published screens, we now have a large number of candidate genes that play critical roles in these two cycles. What is lacking in the field is a true understanding of these proteins functions. Our lab uses a variety of biochemical and cell biological methods, including high resolution live cell imaging, to perform structure/function studies on known and candidate centrosomal proteins. One such protein we are currently investigating is the human Pericentrin ortholog, termed Pericentrin-Like-Protein in Drosophila. Our in-vivo structure/function analysis of PLP has revealed many new functional aspects of this protein, which are most likely conserved from Drosophila to Humans. Similar experiments are being carried out on a group of proteins that have been shown to preferentially localize to either the mother or the daughter centriole. In support of this project, we have generated many molecular tools and transgenic animals that will be used to perform standard cell biological experimentation in combination with genetic loss-of-function analysis using RNAi in cell culture and allelic analysis in the animal.
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