Cell division is a process where the replicated genome is segregated so that each of two daughter cells receives a complete set of chromosomes. To achieve proper segregation, chromosomes physically connect to microtubules via a specialized protein structure known as the kinetochore. The kinetochore is composed of a number of complexes, and in budding yeast has over 60 distinct gene products associated with it. Immediately prior to chromosome separation, the mechanical linkage between the microtubules and the kinetochores is under tension. When chromosomes separate from their sister chromosome, they move apart from each other toward opposite poles. The surprising feature of this system is that the microtubules remain dynamic in their self-assembly, undergoing extended periods of nearly continuous assembly alternately with extended periods of nearly continuous disassembly. The dynamic properties of microtubules are crucial for proper cell division, and interfering with them forms the basis of action of one particular cancer therapeutic, paclitaxel (a.k.a. taxol) . Paclitaxel has also proven effective in preventing the cell proliferation that causes restenosis after stent placement.

Our current studies are aimed at determining what controls the assembly of microtubules during cell division, and how those dynamics mediate the forces that move chromosomes.

Recent Articles

Gardner, M.K. and D.J. Odde, "Dam1 complexes go it alone on disassembling microtubules", Nature Cell Biology, in press.

Gardner, M.K., A.J. Hunt, H.V. Goodson, and D.J. Odde, "Microtubule Assembly Dynamics: New Insights at the Nanoscale," Current Opinion in Cell Biology, 2008. 20: p. 64-70.

Gardner, M.K., J. Haase, M.B. Anderson, J.N. Molk, K. Mythreye, E.T. O’Toole, M. Winey, E.D. Salmon, D.J. Odde, and K. Bloom, "The microtubule-based motor Kar3 and plus-end binding protein Bim1 provide structural support for the anaphase spindle," The Journal of Cell Biology, 2008. 180: p. 91-100.

Schek, H.T.,* 3rd, M.K. Gardner,* J. Cheng, D.J. Odde,** and A.J. Hunt,** "Microtubule assembly dynamics at the nanoscale," Current Biology, 2007. 17(17): p. 1445-55. * denotes that authors contributed equally. ** denotes that authors co-directed the project.

Bicek, A.D., E. Tuzel, D.M. Kroll, and D.J. Odde, "Analysis of microtubule curvature," Methods in Cell Biology, 2007. 83: p. 237-68.

Gardner, M., D.J. Odde, and K. Bloom, "Hypothesis testing via integrated computer modeling and digital fluorescence microscopy," METHODS, 2007. 41: p. 231-237.

Gardner, M.K. and D. J. Odde, “Modeling kinetochore motility in mitosis,” Current Opinion in Cell Biology, 18, 639-647 (2006).

Gardner, M., Pearson, C., Sprague, B., Zarzar, T., Bloom, K., Salmon, E.D., and Odde, D.J. (2005). Tension-dependent regulation of microtubule dynamics at kinetochores can explain metaphase congression in yeast. Molecular Biology of the Cell 16, 3764-3775.

Odde, D.J. (2005). Chromosome capture: take me to your kinetochore. Current Biology 15, R328-330.