• In addition to this cell work I learned how to harvest Xenopus laevis extracts, how to deplete key mitotic regulators from the extract and how to induce the formation of spindles in these extracts, in order to probe how key mitotic factors regulate microtubules dynamics and spindle formation. (radikes.com)
  • During mitosis, microtubules in the spindle turn over continuously. (bvsalud.org)
  • At spindle poles, where microtubule minus ends are concentrated, microtubule nucleation and depolymerization, the latter required for poleward microtubule flux, happen side by side. (bvsalud.org)
  • We find that the spindle pole-localized kinesin-13 KIF2A is a microtubule minus-end depolymerase, in contrast to its paralog MCAK. (bvsalud.org)
  • Together, these results provide insight into the molecular mechanisms by which a minimal protein module coordinates microtubule nucleation and depolymerization at spindle poles consistent with their role in poleward microtubule flux. (bvsalud.org)
  • Plant cells lack centrosomes and instead utilize acentrosomal microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) to rapidly increase the number of microtubules at the onset of spindle assembly. (bvsalud.org)
  • I found motors that seemed to affect microtubule nucleation or stabilization, microtubule polymerization, and microtubule organization. (radikes.com)
  • When centrosomes fail to recruit γ-tubulin complexes, they still nucleate microtubules via the TOG domain protein Mini-spindles (Msps), but these microtubules have different dynamic properties. (bvsalud.org)
  • In the lab of Dr. Isabelle Vernos at the Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona, Spain I investigated microtubule dynamics during cell division. (radikes.com)
  • I was interested in determining if the mitotic kinesins and dynein played a role in nucleation, stabilization and/or organization of the acentrosomal asters. (radikes.com)