|
XB-PERS-4943
|
Name: Xianrui Chen
Position: Assistant Professor of Biology
Research Description:
The spatial organization of the cytoplasm is linked to the identity and physiological function of the cell. Dysregulation of this organization, especially that of the microtubule cytoskeleton and endoplasmic reticulum network, is linked to neurological diseases, developmental disorders and cancer. Therefore, understanding how cytoplasmic organization arises and how it is linked to cell function is of fundamental importance to improving human health. We are using frog egg extracts, a model system that recapitulates de novo generation of cytoplasmic spatial architecture in vitro, to dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms. With a better understanding of these mechanisms, we seek to elucidate the design logic of natural cellular systems and use that to guide the engineering of novel synthetic biological systems.
Lab Memberships
Ferrell Lab
(Post-doc, Alumni)