Paul Brooks University positionResearch Associate DepartmentsResearch ThemesInterestsMy area of research focuses on how the cellular skeleton is formed and maintained. Fundamentally, microtubules are comprised of just 3 proteins, however, their functions are diverse. During cell division MTs lock onto and pull apart chromosomes, as well as providing pushing and pulling forces, morphing cells into different shapes. I am interested in microtubules in neurons, whereby they a- form tracks for motor machinery to transport organelles, and b- provide pushing forces for dendritic and axonal elongation during neuronal growth. I am investigating how the neuron can regulate its dendritic complexity by initiating site specific growth of microtubules. Drosophila neurons do not use centrosomes as microtubule organising centers (MTOCS), but likely use fragments of Golgi (Golgi outposts). I am investigating the relationship between Golgi Outposts and MT proteins with MT events in Drosophila, hopefully to shed light on nervous system regulation and complexity. Research Focus
EquipmentBehavioural analysis Calcium imaging Cell culture Confocal microscopy CRISPR-Cas9 Electrophysiological recording techniques Fluorescence microscopy Immunohistochemistry Intracellular recording Microscopy Protein purification Whole cell patch clamp CollaboratorsNo collaborators listed Associated News Items |