Chromosome Biology and Cytoskeletal Networks

Introduction

A microtubule motor protein is important for the organisation of the actin cytoskeleton in the Drosophila female germline. Aberrant "blobs" of filamentous actin can be found in oocytes without the motor protein Kinesin-1. Each Z section is colour coded
Our research is focussed upon fundamental cellular processes that underpin normal cellular homeostasis and are perturbed in specific diseases. Our research questions aim to understand the biophysics of cells during development, the role of nutrition and epigenetics in developmental plasticity and determine the mechanisms by which chromosomes are segregated during cell division.
We also exploit the DNA repair capacity of parasites to aid their eradication and determine the fundamental basis of cellular aging and memory. We have expertise using a wide range of model systems including human cells, drosophila, bees, trypanosomes and yeast and interact with a number of industrial partners including Abcam, Imsol, SunRegen and Singer Instruments.
Staff
Researcher | Title | Department |
Research Interests |
Caudron, Dr Fabrice | Lecturer in Microbiology | Biochemistry |
Asymmetric cell division, Mnemon/prion, protein aggregation, Cellular memory, Yeast genetics |
Draviam, Dr Viji | Reader (Associate Professor) | Biochemistry |
Video Microscopy, Cell division, Cancer Biology, Aneuploidy, Human cell biology |
Hurd, Dr Paul | Senior Lecturer in Epigenetics | Biochemistry |
Epigenetics, Genetics, Genomics, Phenotype, Environment |
Palacios, Dr Isabel |
Lecturer in Cell Biology |
Biochemistry | Cell biophysical function of cytoskeletal forces, Proteins during germline development |
Lecturer in Biochemistry / Physiology | Biochemistry |
Centromeres, Chromatin, Chromosome segregation, Kinetochores, Yeast genetics |
|
Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry | Biochemistry |
Yeast genetics, Genomics, Chromosome segregation, Kinetochores |
|
Wilkinson, Dr Shane | Senior Lecturer | Biochemistry |
Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Drug development, Bioreductive prodrugs, Drug resistance |
Funding
Our research receives financial support from:
Publications
Francis D, Chanana B, Fernandez B, Gordon B, Mak T, Palacios IM (2018). YAP/Yorkie in the germline modulates the age-related decline of germline stem cells and niche cells. PLoS One
Wojciechowski M, Lowe R, Maleszka J, Conn D, Maleszka R, Hurd J (2018). Phenotypically distinct female castes in honey bees are defined by alternative chromatin states during larval development. Genome Research
Schlissel G, Krzyzanowski M, Caudron F, Barral Y, Rine J (2017). Aggregation of the Whi3 protein, not loss of heterochromatin, causes sterility in old yeast cells. Science
Drechsler M, Giavazzi F, Cerbino R, Palacios I (2017). Active diffusion and advection in Drosophila oocytes result from the interplay of actin and microtubules. Nature Communications
Shrestha R, Conti D, Tamura N, Braun D, Ramalingam R, Cieslinski K, Ries J, Draviam V (2017). Aurora-B kinase pathway controls the lateral to end-on conversion of kinetochore-microtubule attachments in human cells. Nature Communications
Berry L, Ólafsson G, Ledesma-Fernández E, Thorpe P (2016). Synthetic protein interactions reveal a functional map of the cell. eLife
Subramanian L, Medina-Pritchard B, Barton R, Spiller F, Kulasegaran‐Shylini R, Radaviciute G, Allshire R, Jeyaprakash A (2016). Centromere localization and function of Mis18 requires Yippee‐like domain‐mediated oligomerization. EMBO Reports