Matthew Hannaford

Areas of expertise

Centrosomes and Cell Polarity

The Hananford lab uses live cell microscopy, biochemistry and Drosophila genetics to investigate the role and regulation of centrosomes in diverse cell types.

The centrosome is a crucial, membraneless organelle that orchestrates the assembly and organization of microtubules. During cell division, the centrosome forms the spindle apparatus that segregates chromosomes into daughter cells. Additionally, the centrosome participates in cellular organization and polarity by anchoring microtubules and directing their growth. Dysregulation of these processes has been linked to disease including cancer, microcephaly, ciliopathy and male sterility.

The goal of our research is to understand (1) the molecular mechanisms of how centrosomes are positioned within cells (2) how their microtubule nucleating activity is modulated through development and the cell cycle  (3) how dysregulation of these processes contributes to human disease.