Kinetochore microtubules (kMTs) mediate attachments between spindle poles and chromosomes, facilitating the movement and organization of chromosomes during mitosis. Computer modeling can be used to bridge the gap between experimental analysis of mitotic spindle phenotypes and the underlying kMT dynamics that mediate chromosome organization. Previously, we identified a model for regulation of metaphase kMT dynamics that combines a spatial gradient in microtubule catastrophe frequency with a tension dependent rescue frequency. In this work, we will test these model predictions using previously developed methodologies combined with new experiments and specific mutations. Specifically, we will test the hypothesis that tension at the kinetochore regulates kMT dynamics during metaphase, and build an understanding of the role of the kinetochore in regulation of microtubule dynamics. ? ? ?
| Gardner, Melissa K; Odde, David J (2010) Stochastic simulation and graphic visualization of mitotic processes. Methods 51:251-6 |
| Gardner, Melissa K; Haase, Julian; Mythreye, Karthikeyan et al. (2008) The microtubule-based motor Kar3 and plus end-binding protein Bim1 provide structural support for the anaphase spindle. J Cell Biol 180:91-100 |
| Gardner, Melissa K; Hunt, Alan J; Goodson, Holly V et al. (2008) Microtubule assembly dynamics: new insights at the nanoscale. Curr Opin Cell Biol 20:64-70 |
| Gardner, Melissa K; Bouck, David C; Paliulis, Leocadia V et al. (2008) Chromosome congression by Kinesin-5 motor-mediated disassembly of longer kinetochore microtubules. Cell 135:894-906 |
| Schek 3rd, Henry T; Gardner, Melissa K; Cheng, Jun et al. (2007) Microtubule assembly dynamics at the nanoscale. Curr Biol 17:1445-55 |
| Gardner, Melissa K; Odde, David J (2006) Modeling of chromosome motility during mitosis. Curr Opin Cell Biol 18:639-47 |
