The cell is the fundamental unit of life, making it essential to understand how cells divide, function, and signal. Disruption of these primary cellular processes has been associated with tumor development as well as aberrant cell and tissue function in human disease. Cell Adhesion & Cytoskeleton focus group members investigate topics ranging from cell division to cytoskeletons to signaling to migration. Our members leverage a variety of cutting-edge cross-disciplinary approaches that combine cell biology with innovative biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and microscopy techniques. The integration of these sophisticated approaches enables multiscale insight into how cells work. In their research, members use cells in culture and model organisms, including zebrafish, mice, and fruit flies. Madison has a rich tradition of collaborative research. Reflecting this, there are several campus-wide group meetings that bring together Cell Adhesion & Cytoskeleton members and other researchers interested in cell biology. These include the weekly Cell Biology Study Group (CBSG) and the Cell Division meeting.
Focus Group Chair Jill Wildonger
Biochemistry Department
Microtubule-based transport in developing neurons
wildonger@wisc.edu
Focus Group Members
William Bement
Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology & Integrative Biology Department
Signal transduction, cell division, and cytoskeleton
Michael Cahill
Comparative Biosciences Department
Molecular and biochemical mechanisms of synapse morphogenesis
Jeffrey Hardin
Integrative Biology Department
Morphogenesis and pattern formation during early development
Troy Hornberger
Comparative Biosciences Department
Mechanotransduction and the regulation of skeletal muscle mass
Anna Huttenlocher
Pediatrics Department
Cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate cell migration and chemotaxis in cancer and inflammation
Patrick Masson
Genetics Department
Molecular genetics of root growth behavior in response to mechanical stimuli
Deane Mosher
Biomolecular Chemistry Department
Biochemistry of cell adhesion and the extracellular matrix
Donna Peters
Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Department
Role of extracellular matrix and integrin signaling in human eye
Alan Rapraeger
Human Oncology Department
Regulation of tumor proliferation, invasion and survival by adhesion receptor signaling mechanisms
Nader Sheibani
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Department
Cell adhesion and signaling in vascular cells
Beth Weaver
Cell & Regenerative Biology Department
Mitosis, chromosome segregation, aneuploidy and cancer