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Erika
Holzbaur, Ph.D.
Professor of Physiology
University of Pennsylvania
143 Rosenthal Bldg./6046
(215) 573-3257 Lab: (215) 573-3481
FAX: (215) 573-5189
email: holzbaur@vet.upenn.edu
Click here for selected publications since Dr. Holzbaur's arrival at Penn
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Molecular and cellular approaches to study microtubule-based motors and
their roles in neuronal transport, vesicular motility, and cell division.
RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
Molecular analysis of novel proteins, cellular studies including live cell microscopy, biochemical assays for protein interactions such as the yeast two hybrid screen and affinity chromatography, activity and motility assays for motor function, generation and analysis of genetically modified mice.RESEARCH SUMMARY
Our laboratory is interested in the mechanisms of microtubule-based motility. This motility is involved in basic cellular processes such as mitosis and ER-to-Golgi trafficking, and in more specialized functions such as the transport of vesicles along the extended axonal processes of the neuron. Our laboratory focuses on the motor cytoplasmic dynein and its activator complex dynactin. Dynein function is essential in higher eukaryotes, yet its basic mechanisms of action including coupling to cargo and cellular regulation remain to be determined.
Currently we are focusing on (1) the mechanisms by which dynein and dynactin
bind to their cargo to initiate transport along microtubules; (2) the
roles of dynein and dynactin in both fast and slow axonal transport in
the neuron; (3) the link between defects in axonal transport and the development
of neuropathogenesis; and (4) the cellular mechanisms which regulate the
activity of these motor proteins.
KEY WORDS:
Microtubule motors, cytoplasmic dynein, dynactin, axonal transport, vesicle trafficking, cell division, cytokinesis
