Role of the FAM29A in mitotic spindle assembly.

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Cells need to grow and divide in all living organisms. Prior to division, cells must duplicate every single chromosomes once and only once. During cell division, the process in which one cell becomes two cells, a copy of each chromosome must be transmitted to each daughter cell. Defects in the accurate transmission of chromosomes to progeny is responsible for the development and progression of cancer and other chromosome related diseases such as Down's syndrome. Dr. Pelletier's laboratory uses microscopes to identify and study centrosomes, an important part of the cellular machine that mediate the accurate transmission of chromosome to progeny during cell division. Although many novel and exciting genes implicated in the regulation of centrosome function have been identified, their bilogy remain incompletely understood. Dr. Pelletier has recently identified an additional protein required for centrosome funtion, called FAM29A, that plays a major role in regulating centrosome biology. To study this exciting new protein, Dr. Pelletier's group will use state-of-the art microscopes that will enable them to follow, in living cells, the biology of centrosomes, the behavior of FAM29A as well as the impact of centrosome defects on the accurate segregation of chromosomes. Their study will lead to a better understanding of how centrosome defects are linked to cancer progression, developmental disorders and other diseases. In addition to the health benefits due to a better comprehension of centrosome function in mammalian cells, Dr. Pelletier's pioneering work will have indirect effects on Canadian health by enabling other researchers in Canada to apply the technologies developed in his laboratory to their own biologically relevant systems.