Research
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Neuronal Retinal Degeneration: Photoreceptor Polarity and Vectorial Protein Transport
Millions of people suffer from irreversible vision loss caused by degenerative eye disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Our lab is interested in the molecular basis underlying the biochemical and cellular defects of these retinal degenerative diseases and how these cellular dysfunctions lead to blindness. read more >>
Cytoplasmic Dynein and Cell Polarity
Cytoplasmic dynein is a microtubule-based motor protein that plays a vital role in cellular trafficking and cell polarity by directionally transporting molecules (cargoes) to specific parts of the cell. How each dynein selects its specific cargo and regulates binding (and release) is a long-standing question. An increasing number of diseases have been linked to protein mislocalization and motor protein malfunction. read more>>
Unconventional Roles of Dynein Light Chains in Axonal Outgrowth and Neurogenesis
Many forms of cell motility, including neurite outgrowth, require coordination of the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. We found that one light chain subunit of cytoplasmic dynein (i.e., Tctex-1) acts as a regulatory link between the two cytoskeleton systems and plays an important role in the development of hippocampal neurons, including neurite outgrowth. read more>>