Our laboratory is interested in the spatial and cell cycle control of nuclear division.

Coordination of chromosome segregation with cytokinesis is not only crucial for normal cell division but can also influence the developmental fates of the daughter cells. In an organism such as budding yeast the nucleus must orient towards the site of bud growth to ensure equal segregation of genetic material to both mother and daughter cells. There are likely to be specific cytoskeleton-mediated interactions between the nucleus/microtubule organizing centers and the cell cortex that position the mitotic apparatus appropriately within the dividing cell.

The microtubule motor protein dynein is important for the fidelity of nuclear division. In addition, in the absence of dynein, the cell a delays cytokinesis until nuclear migration is complete, revealing a checkpoint system that likely monitors nuclear position within the cell. Our laboratory uses a combined genetic, molecular and cytological approach to understanding the coordination of complex processes during cell division.

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