Roth, Elizabeth A.
Elizabeth is a first year trainee and is in the Molecular Biology IDP. Her research mentor is Dr. Margot Quinlan. She received a B.A. degree in 2009 from UC Berkeley.
Mentor: Dr. Margot Quinlan
Cytoskeletal networks formed by microtubules (MTs) and actin filaments are important for such diverse cellular processes as motor-based transport, motility, and endocytosis. Recently, formin family actin nucleators have emerged as potential coordinators of the actin and MT cytoskeletons; in addition to nucleating actin filaments, several formins have been shown to bind and/or bundle MTs. However, almost nothing is known about the molecular basis and physiological relevance of these formin-MT interactions. To address this, I am studying the interactions between MTs and the Drosophila formin Cappuccino (Capu), which is important for proper development during Drosophila oogenesis. By dissecting the molecular mechanisms of Capu-MT interactions in vitro and examining the physiological role of Capu-MT interactions in the developing Drosophila oocyte, I hope to elucidate the role of Capu in oogenesis as well as the more general mechanisms of formin function.
