A role for membrane lipids in the control of cell division axis and its aberrant functions associated with oncogenesis.
Oriented cell division is an integral part of pattern development in the process of embryonic morphogenesis. Orientation of the cell division axis is thought to depend on the interaction of astral microtubules emanating from the spindle with cortical factors. This project focuses on the identification of the roles for membrane lipids in the control of spindle orientation. The second major aspects of this project involves studies of lipid dynamics during mitosis in the process of normal morphogenesis and oncogenesis of epithelial tissues and its application to the early diagnosis of tumors.
