|
XB-PERS-4934
|
Name: Dr. Leslie Sepaniac
Position: Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Description:
The cell cortex plays many critical roles, including interpreting and responding to internal and external signals. One behavior which supports a cell's ability to respond to both internal and externally-derived signaling is cortical excitability, wherein coupled positive and negative feedback loops generate waves of actin polymerization and depolymerization at the cortex. Cortical excitability is a highly conserved behavior, having been demonstrated in many cell types and organisms. One system well-suited to studying cortical excitability is Xenopus laevis, in which cortical excitability is easily monitored for many hours after fertilization. Indeed, our investigations using X. laevis have furthered our understanding of the circuitry underlying cortical excitability and how it contributes to cytokinesis. My current project examines Cdc42-mediated regulation of spindle positioning in Xenopus.
Lab Memberships
Bement Lab
(Post-doc)