Mechanisms of Nuclear Polarity

Presenter: MaryGracy Antony

Co-Presenter(s):
Breanna Lee

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Department: Biology

Funding Source/Sponsor: Koret Scholars Program

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rCYyTE3lSf4-GHHtPDuCFzfkNdVGPUGL

Abstract:
Chromosomes have been shown to non-randomly organize in human cells during mitosis. It was recently found that haploid chromosome sets (1n) align to two different cellular axes: a centrosome, or nuclear division, axis, and an apical-basal axis. This project will determine whether the haploid sets align to an additional left-right (LR) cellular axis by elucidating LR landmarks within the cell. The mechanisms responsible for the haploid set (1n) alignment to these axes are not well understood. We will investigate the temporal relationships between the sub-cellular structures defining the cellular axes, and chromosome position throughout the cell cycle. Using novel high resolution holotomographic live imaging/microscopy, we will visualize and characterize the dynamics of chromosome movement, and alignment to the sub-cellular structures throughout the cell cycle. The findings of this project will provide the framework to understand nuclear polarity, and its role in cellular function.