Research Interests
- Cell Cycle Control in Human Cells
Research Synopsis
Our lab studies the regulation of the mammalian cell cycle with a particular focus on the cell cycle phase transitions related to DNA replication and to cell cycle exit. Cells coordinate progression through the cell division cycle with a wide variety of extracellular and intracellular information by regulating the activity and abundance of key cell cycle proteins. Many proteins have more than one function in the cell cycle, and one of our goals is to understand how those different functions are integrated to ensure normal cell proliferation and genome stability.
We manipulate cell cycle proteins in human cell lines using a variety of molecular genetic tools. We deplete proteins from cells using siRNA techniques, overproduce proteins using recombinant plasmid or viral vectors, and inhibit activities with pharmacological reagents. New projects employ live cell imaging and quantitative single cell analysis of protein abundance during the cell cycle. Ultimately we hope to achieve a greater understanding of normal cell cycle control so that future therapeutic tools related to regeneration and cancer treatment can be developed.
For more detailed information, as well as an introduction to the members of the Cook lab, visit our webpage: https://sites.google.com/site/cooklabgroup/home
Core Techniques:
- human cell culture
- live cell imaging
- RNAi
- protein-protein and protein-chromatin interactions
- recombinant DNA technology
