Session S7 - Molecular Motors and the Physics of Cell Division.
INVITED session, Wednesday afternoon, March 24
516C, Palais des Congres
Assembly of the spindle in mitosis is essential for the equal segregation of the cellular genetic material during cell division. The spindle comprises of a bi-polar array of microtubules organized by a numerous scaffold and motor proteins. To ensure the correct spatial and temporal segregation of the genetic material, spindle assembly must be coordinated with the cell cycle so that it only persists through mitosis. Studies have demonstrated that the signals which initiate spindle assembly emanate from both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. We have identified one nuclear derived signaling pathway, required for spindle assembly which involves the generation of Ran, bound to GTP (Ran-GTP) in the vicinity of the condensed chromatin. We are currently investigating the downstream spindle assembly events that are regulated by Ran-GTP.