Mechanics and Dynamics of Mitosis

The process of generating two cells from one —cell division— is essential to life. A key process in cell division is the equal partitioning of the replicated DNA into two daughter cells, a process known as mitosis. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate mitotic chromosome segregation is a key aspect of our understanding of how life is maintained and propagated. We use a combination of experimental and computational approaches to understand how the mechanics and dynamics of various mitotic apparatus components contribute to the accurate execution of mitosis.

Recent Publications:

• Asymmetric clustering of centrosomes defines the early evolution of tetraploid cells. eLife, 2020.
• A guide to classifying mitotic stages and mitotic defects in fixed cells. Chromosoma, 2018.
• Laser microsurgery reveals conserved viscoelastic behavior of the kinetochore. J. Cell Biol, 2016.
• Chromosome bridges maintain kinetochore-microtubule attachments throughout mitosis and rarely break during anaphase. PLoS ONE, 2016.
• Overlap microtubules link sister k-fibres and balance the forces on bi-oriented kinetochores. Nat. Comm., 2016.

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Effects of changes in chromosome number on cell divisions and cell proliferation

Animal cells maintain a correct diploid chromosome number by equally segregating their DNA (chromosomes) into two daughter cells at each division cycle. When chromosome segregation does not occur correctly, daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers are produced. Abnormal chromosome numbers are a distinctive feature of cancer cells and such chromosome number changes are believed to contribute to cancer progression. Our research aims to identify the cellular mechanisms that cause chromosome number alterations, understand how these changes affect cell division and proliferation, and explore how changes in chromosome numbers may contribute to the evolution of cell populations in various contexts.

Recent Publications:

• Asymmetric clustering of centrosomes defines the early evolution of tetraploid cells. eLife, 2020.
• Aneuploidy and gene expression: is there dosage compensation? Epigenomics, 2019.
• Chromosomes missegregated into micronuclei contribute to chromosomal instability by missegregating at the next division. Oncotarget, 2019.
• Fluid shear stress impacts ovarian cancer cell viability, subcellular organization, and promotes genomic instability. PLoS ONE, 2018.
• Selective advantage of trisomic human cells cultured in non-standard conditions. Sci. Rep., 2016.