Alena Lieto, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral research fellow

Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003

Lab
Lynne Coluccio

Research Interests
Biophysics, Cell Biology: myosin I-mediated translocation of actin; cell motility

The goal of my current research project is to investigate the effect of specific mutations in a myosin I isoform on its interaction with filamentous actin.

The localization of multiple mammalian class I myosins to dynamic regions in the leading edge of cells, as well as their ability to translocate actin filaments, suggests possible roles in the mediation of cell migration.  The requirement of cell migration for normal growth and development underscores the importance of understanding these molecular motors.

To better understand the contribution of specific subdomains of myosin I isoforms to their ability to translocate actin filaments, myosin I mutants will be tested using an in vitro motility assay.  The motility assay yields information about the efficiency with which myosins attached to a surface are able to move fluorescently labeled actin filaments under varied conditions.

Contact Details:
email: lieto@bbri.org, tel. 617-658-7785