Regulation of cell polarity during cell division and migration

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences awarded The Regents of the University of Colorado, doing business as University of Colorado-Denver, $494,703 for a Project Grant (R35GM161210) on September 1, 2026, under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859).

The recipient will conduct a five-year study examining the molecular regulation of transient cell polarity during cell division and migration. The work combines research in human cells, zebrafish models, and in silico analyses to identify mechanisms governing polarized yet dynamic cellular structures, specifically the leading edge during cell migration and the midbody during cell division. The research aims to establish a foundation for understanding cell polarization, macromolecular assembly dynamics, and function in development and disease contexts including cancer and congenital developmental disorders.

Performance runs through August 31, 2031, with work conducted at the University of Colorado-Denver campus in Aurora, Colorado. The obligated amount matches the total award of $494,703.

Abstract

Generation of cell polarity (permanent or transient) is one of the most fundamental properties of multicellular organisms. The failure of cell polarization can lead to severe consequences that affect the function of tissues and the entire organism. All cells are capable of producing transient polarized structures, such as the ingression furrow during cell division or leading edge during cell migration. However, the regulation of transient cell polarization remains to be poorly understood, partially due to highly dynamic nature of transient polarization, as well as significant differences in machinery that drives transient polarization in different cellular contexts. Understanding the molecular machinery governing transient cell polarization is one of main interests in my laboratory. In the next five years our studies will combine broad and disparate biological fields to understand how cells form highly polarized, yet very dynamic structures such as leading-edge during cell migration (project #1) and midbody during cell division (project #2). Our tools, expertise, and collaborations will be used with coordinated efforts in human cells, zebrafish, as well as in silico analyses. Our use of divergent model systems capitalizes on the advantages of each, while information learned from one provides novel insights for the other. These studies will provide a foundation for our future endeavors where we will discover mechanisms of cell polarization, as well as macromolecular assembly, dynamics, and function during development and various relevant pathologies (cancer, congenital developmental disorders).