Phong T. Tran
Assistant Professor, Dept of Cell & Developmental Biology

Cell Biology and Physiology Program

Address

1009 Biomedical Rsch Bldg (BRB) II/III
421 Curie Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Office tel.: 215 746-2755
Fax: 215 898-9871
E-mail: tranp@mail.med.upenn.edu

Link(s)

Dr. Tran's Cell & Developmental Biology Page

EDUCATION

UC Berkeley: B.A. (Biophysics), 1991.

UNC Chapel Hill: Ph.D. (Cell Biology), 1998.

Columbia University: Postdoctoral Research (Genetics), 2002.

Institut Curie: Postdoctoral Research (Biochemistry), 2002.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• The cytoskeleton and cellular pattern formation.

Key words: Microtubule, microscopy, s pombe, cell polarity.

Search PubMed for articles

DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH

Our lab is interested in understanding how pattern formation is generated within the cell by the cytoskeleton. For example, our previous studies in fission yeast have shown that bundles of microtubules can set up a spatial map for the cell to know where to grow and where to position its nucleus. Microtubule architecture and dynamics are influenced by both plus- and minus-end microtubule-associated-proteins. A long-term goal, then, is to understand what role these proteins play in the establishment and maintenance of cellular spatial domains by microtubules. We plan to:

1. identify the molecular components of the microtubule organizing centers,
2. define the interactions of known microtubule-associated-proteins with the microtubule ends and the roles of these proteins in bringing about proper nuclear positioning and cellular pattern, and
3. develop and apply advanced optical imaging and analysis methods to the yeast system.

High resolution optical imaging and analysis techniques, use of the green fluorescent protein and its variants as non-invasive fluorescent biosensors, and the model organism Schizosaccharomyces pombe with its well-defined shape, size, and genetic tractability constitute ideal, proven tools for studying cellular spatial organization and regulation.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Inoué, S., O. Shimomura, M. Goda, M. Shribak, and P.T. Tran (2002) Fluorescence polarization of green fluorescent protein. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. (USA) 99:4272-4277.

Tran, P.T. and F. Chang (2001) Transmitted light fluorescence microscopy revisited. Biol. Bull. 201:235-236.

Tran, P.T., L. Marsh, V. Doye, S. Inoué, and F. Chang (2001). A mechanism for nuclear positioning in fission yeast based upon microtubule pushing. J Cell Biol. 153:397-411.

Lab

ROTATION PROJECTS FOR 2006-2007

1. Measure the flexural rigidity and magnitude of pushing forces of microtubules in living cells.
2. Molecular analysis of rnd1, a novel gene whose mutation leads normal rod-shaped cells to become round-shaped.
3. Molecular analysis of bnd1, a novel gene whose mutation leads normal rod-shaped cells to become bent-shaped.

Lab personnel:

Be Nguyen - Technician
Jennifer Levy - Graduate Student
Marcel Jansen - Postdoctoral Fellow