Kaeli Welsh, PhD student in Nicholas Brown’s lab, received the Pre-doctoral Fellowship for her project, “Visualizing Essential Molecular Mechanisms That Promote Mitotic Exit.”
“The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) monitors chromosome biorientation in metaphase to control mitotic timing and ensure genomic integrity. SAC dysregulation leads to chromosomal instability that promotes abnormal growth patterns and aneuploidy, which is associated with congenital heart disease (HD). My project focuses on the two massive protein complexes at the heart of the SAC: the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) and its inhibitor the Mitotic Checkpoint Complex (MCC). During my fellowship, I will use fluorescent biosensors and mass photometry to interrogate the MCC-APC/C dynamics and disassembly mechanisms that allow APC/C activation and trigger mitotic exit.”
The fellowship provides funding for a stipend, health insurance, and $2,000 of additional support for supplies, reagents, or travel for her project.