The long-term goal of our research is to understand the molecular basis of cell motility, including the role of motility in human disease, especially cancer. How do actin, microtubules and their motors control the shape and movement of cells? How are these elements of the cytoskeleton regulated by signals from the cell cycle machinery and from outside the cell? We study these questions in cultured human cells and zebrafish, using the strengths of each system. We utilize a variety of technical approaches encompassing genetics, biochemistry and cell biology. The major current focus of the lab is on actin assembly and membrane dynamics in animal cells. We are studying how actin-binding proteins regulated by signals from cancer-causing viruses and growth factors direct the polymerization of actin, which causes cells to move and change shape.

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