John M. Murray
Associate Professor, Dept of Cell and Developmental Biology

Cell Biology and Physiology Program

Address

1053 Biomedical Rsch Bldg II/III (Office)
1045 Biomedical Rsch Bldg II/III (Lab)
421 Curie Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Office tel.: 215 898-3045
Lab tel.: 215 898-3045
Fax: 215 898-9871
E-mail: murray@cellbio.med.upenn.edu

Link(s)

Dr. Murray's Dept of CDB Faculty Page

Education

Spring Hill College: BS (Chemistry), 1967.

University of Pennsylvania: PhD (Biochemistry), 1972.

University of Pennsylvania: MD, 1975.

Research Interests

• cell biology
• structural biology
• cytoskeleton
• motility
• cell division.

Key words: cell biology, cytoskeleton, motility, Toxoplasma, cell division, microtubules.

Search PubMed for articles

Description of Research

Our major focus is the replication and assembly of daughter cells of the human pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, which infects an estimated one-third of the US population. During Toxoplasma replication, multiple daughters assemble simultaneously within the mother, a process in which assembly of the cytoskeleton is critical. With fluorescent reporter proteins and advanced imaging techniques we analyze replication of the various subcellular organelles over time, using time-lapse video microscopy, image deconvolution, laser scanning confocal microscopy, fluorescence photobleaching, and laser ablation. We aim to determine the chronological order of critical events in T. gondii replication, the cause and effect relationships associated with these processes, and the molecular mechanisms involved.

Recent Publications

Hu, K., Mann, T., Striepen, B., Beckers, C.J.M, Roos, D.S. and Murray, J.M. 2002. Daughter cell assembly in the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii Mol. Biol. Cell 13:593-606

Swedlow, J.R., Hu, K., Andrews, P.D., Roos, D.S. and Murray, J.M. 2002. Measuring tubulin content in Toxoplasma gondii: a comparison of laser-scanning confocal and wide-field fluorescence microscopy. Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. 99: 2014-2019

Hu, K., Roos, D.S. and Murray, J.M. 2002. A novel polymer of tubulin forms the conoid of Toxoplasma gondii J. Cell Biol. 156: 1039-1050

Hu, K., Roos, D.S., Angel, S.O. and Murray, J.M. 2004 Variability and heritability of cell division pathways in Toxoplasma gondii J. Cell Science 117: 5697-5705

Hu, K., Johnson, J.,Florens, L., Fraunholz, M., Suravajjala, S., DiLullo, C., Yates,J., Roos, D.S., and Murray, J.M. 2006. Cytoskeletal components of an invasion machine - the apical complex of Toxoplasma gondii PLoS Pathogens 2: 121-138.

Lab

Rotation Projects for 2006-2007

• Functional specialization of tubulin isoforms in the assembly of the human parasite T. gondii
• Characterization of proteins identified in a proteomics screen of the conoid, a novel microtubule-based motile organelle
• Membrane-cytoskeletal proteins involved in replication of T. gondii