Elucidating the role of unc-53 and its molecular partners in actin mediated processes

细胞形状的变化与多种发育过程有关，包括细胞迁移、神经系统的图案化、细胞分裂和分子进出细胞的运输。我们一直在研究导航器的作用，这是蠕虫和人类细胞和神经元过程迁移所需的分子，并表明它们通过重新组织肌动蛋白细丝发挥影响，肌动蛋白细丝是组成细胞骨架并控制细胞形状变化的电缆网络。我的研究项目的目的是阐明导航器及其分子伙伴在肌动蛋白细胞骨架过程中的作用，如细胞迁移和分子在细胞内的运输。这些研究对癌症和神经退行性疾病等疾病以及神经损伤后的愈合都有意义。

Changes in cell shape are associated with a variety of developmental processes including cell migration, patterning of the nervous system, cell division, and transport of molecules in and out of the cell. We have been studying the role of the navigators, molecules that are required for the migration of cells and neuronal processes in both worms and humans, and have shown that they exert their influence by re-organizing actin filaments, the network of cables that make up part of the cytoskeleton and control cell shape changes. The objectives of my research program are to elucidate the role of the navigators and their molecular partners in actin cytoskeleton processes such as cell migration and the trafficking of molecules inside the cell. These studies have implications for diseases such as cancer, as well as neurodegenerative disorders, and healing after neural injury.