Damon Runyon Researchers

Dr. Reimer [Merck Fellow] investigates the cell cytoskeleton which is comprised of a network of microtubules that act as roadways for motor proteins to transport a multitude of different cargoes around the cell. She studies how the motor dynein walks along microtubules to transport cargo from the cell periphery to the interior of the cell. Dynein has essential roles in cell division and is regulated by the protein Lis1. Misregulation of dynein by Lis1 can lead to aberrant cell division and has been implicated in some cancers. Dr. Reimer will use cryo-electron microscopy to understand how Lis1 regulates dynein movement along microtubules, and how Lis1 helps dynein switch from an autoinhibited state to an active state that is capable of walking.