How is the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint turned off?

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When a cell divides it is essential that the two daughter cells inherit an equal and identical copy of the chromosomes. When this goes wrong it can be lethal for the cell, or even lead to cancer. To prevent such errors the cell is able to stop and wait in the middle of dividing if it detects that any of its chromosomes are not being pulled to the middle of the cell by a machine called the mitotic spindle. It is only when all the chromosomes are properly attached to the spindle that the cell goes on to divide its chromosomes. We are investigating this process and in particular the mechanism that links how the cell detects whether chromosomes are attached to the spindle to the engine that drives cells through mitosis. We would like work out how the 'brake' on the engine is removed when all the chromosomes are attached. This mechanism is the target of a number of anti-cancer drugs, therefore, a better understanding of how this mechanism works should help to design better drugs with fewer side-effects.