Complex Research — Dr. Arne Gennerich has been awarded $1.5 million over five years by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to examine the molecular mechanism of the cytoplasmic dynein-dynactin motor complex in order to define the molecular bases of dynein-related diseases in humans. Cytoplasmic dynein is a protein vital to various cellular activities, and mutations in dynactin (a large protein complex required for most cytoplasmic dynein activity) are known to cause neurodegeneration, leading to diseases such as distal spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy and Perry syndrome. Dr. Gennerich will study the molecular mechanisms that underlie the function and dysfunction of the dynein-dynactin complex. Dr. Gennerich is assistant professor of anatomy and structural biology.
Posted on: Tuesday, August 21, 2012