Mitotic chromosome dynamics

During cell division, the two copies of a cell's genetic material are completely  separated and delivered to a pair of new daughter cells. Proper chromosome segregation requires the formation of correct attachments between the genetic material, assembled into chromosomes, and ends of microtubules. Our research is focussed on establishing the molecular mechanisms that mediate and monitor the correct attachment of chromosomes to microtubule at a special structure known as the kinetochore. To achieve this, we make use of advanced tools for imaging the components of cell division, especially in living cells and specialised mass spectrometry methods to probe the molecular machinery of cell division. Recently, we used these tools to discover a new protein, Bod1, that plays a critical role in the formation of correct attachments between microtubules and chromosomes by modulating the activity of Aurora B protein kinase. We recently installed a newly developed OMX microscope and are using this system to probe the inner workings of the centromere and kinetochore of the mitotic chromosome.

Like many cell biology labs, we generate large sets of image data. To manage, analyse and understand this data, we, along with our collaborators, formed the Open Microscopy Environment Consortium. OME develops data specifications, file format translators and data management software for imaging applications. OME tools are used in thousands of labs around the world. For more info on the OME Consortium, see the Consortium's website.