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相关，包括细胞迁移、神经系统的模式化、细胞分裂和分子进出细胞的运输。我们一直在研究导航分子的作用，这些分子是蠕虫和人类细胞迁移和神经过程所需的分子，并且已经表明它们通过重组肌动蛋白丝来发挥影响力，肌动蛋白丝是构成细胞骨架的一部分并控制细胞形状变化的电缆网络。我的研究计划的目标是阐明的作用，肌动蛋白细胞骨架过程中，如细胞迁移和细胞内的分子运输的导航和他们的分子合作伙伴。这些研究对癌症等疾病以及神经退行性疾病和神经损伤后的愈合具有影响。

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.