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Thomas D. Pollard

 

Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics & Development; Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry

Sterling Professor and Chair of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology

Professor of Cell Biology and Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry

Education

B.A. Pomona College 1964
M.D. Harvard Medical School 1968

Research Interests

We use biochemical, biophysical, cellular, and genetic experiments to study the molecular mechanisms of actin-based cellular movements. Half of the lab studies how assembly of actin filaments pushes forward the leading edge of motile cells and moves coated vesicles into cells. Our work revealed that Arp2?/?3 complex is both the central integrator of inputs from signaling pathways and initiator of actin filament assembly. We study the mechanism of Arp2/3 complex and other proteins that organize and regulate actin filament turnover. Half of the lab uses fission yeast to study cytokinesis, still one of the most mysterious of cellular processes. We mapped the spatial and temporal pathway for the assembly of more than a dozen proteins in the equatorial contractile ring of actin filaments and myosin-II and are investigating how a formin protein mediates actin assembly and how the cell triggers constriction of the ring at the end of mitosis.

Links

• Pollard Homepage

Recent Publications

• Vavylonis, D., Wu, J.-Q., Hao, S., O'Shaughnessy, B. and Pollard, T.D. (2008) Assembly mechanism of the contractile ring for cytokinesis by fission yeast. Science 319:97-100.
• Kovar, D.R., Harris, E.S., Mahaffy, R.E., Higgs, H.N., and Pollard, T.D. (2006). Control of the assembly of ATP- and ADP-actin by formins and profilin. Cell 724:423-435.

Contact

E-mail
thomas.pollard@yale.edu