2026
64. Unraveling the molecular details of centriole elongation.
Trends Open. 2026;1(3):336-355. doi: 10.1016/j.treopn.2026.04.003.
* co-corresponding authors
The centrosome is a non-membrane-bound organelle that serves as the main microtubule-organizing center of most animal cells. Centrosomes establish cell polarity, guide cell migration, direct intracellular cargo, and help distribute other organelles. During mitosis, they organize the spindle to ensure faithful chromosome segregation.
Our lab investigates how centrosomes are constructed from their individual parts and how their organization is adapted to different cell types. Defects in these processes can contribute to microcephaly, cancer, and other human diseases.
Centrioles, scaffolds, and pericentriolar material
We study how centrosomal proteins control centriole assembly and organize pericentriolar material (PCM). A particular focus is Pericentrin-Like-Protein (PLP), which can act as both a negative and a positive regulator of PCM assembly. We investigate how PLP restrains PCM during interphase and anchors it during mitosis, together with the regulators and effectors that control this switch.
Selected publications
2023
53. Cep104 is a component of the centriole distal tip complex that regulates centriole growth and contributes to Drosophila spermiogenesis
Current Biology. 2023;33(19):4202-4216.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.075.
(# co-first authors, * co-corresponding)
2023
52. Spd-2 gene duplication reveals cell-type-specific pericentriolar material regulation
Current Biology. 2023;33(14):3031-3040.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.020.
(# contributed equally, * co-corresponding)
2022
50. Pericentrin interacts with Kinesin-1 to drive centriole motility.
Journal of Cell Biology. 2022;221(9):e202112097. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202112097.
2016
33. A centrosome interactome provides insight into organelle assembly and reveals a non-duplication role for Plk4
Nature Communications. 2016;7:12476. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12476.