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King Lab
Macromolecular complexes embedded in the nuclear envelope physically couple the cytoskeleton to the nucleus. These molecular bridges (LINC complexes) allow the cytoskeleton to regulate nuclear position within the cell. In addition, they provide a mechanism for signals to be mechanically transduced between the cytoplasm and nucleus. More broadly, nuclear envelope membrane proteins serve to compartmentalize chromatin within the nucleus.
SunKash
Our lab primarily uses the fission yeast model, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, to investigate LINC complex function. Using cell biological techniques, we are interested in understanding when, how and why chromatin regions associate with the nuclear aspect of LINC complexes. In particular, we are interested in how LINC complexes and cytoskeletal forces serve as inputs to the processes of DNA repair (see Current Research),telomere maintenance and general chromatin mobility. We are also investigating the physical role that chromatin plays in maintaining nuclear envelope structure, which we investigate in vitro using isolated nuclei and force spectroscopy (see Current Research). In order to understand how LINC complexes dynamically associate with the cytoskeleton, we are identifying the proteins that couple the nucleus to microtubules and reconstituting nuclear-microtubule interfaces in vitro (see Current Research). We are also expanding our experimental approaches to take advantage of tissue culture and mouse models (the latter in collaboration with the laboratory of Valerie Horsley, Ph.D. (MCDB)).

The lab is also initiating a new project to investigate how nuclear envelope membrane proteins regulate recombination. We are particularly interested in how changes in chromatin-nuclear envelope contacts alter recombinatorial potential that may underlie adaptation.
News and Events
May 2013
Rachel Stewart, Graduate Student, joins the King Lab

Henny Bennett and Joshua Okonkwo graduate! Class of 2013

May 2012
Bryan Leland, Graduate Student, joins the King Lab

Joshua Okonkwo receives the summer BioSTEP fellowship

April 2012
Bryan Leland receives the NSF GRFP award

Sarah Schreiner receives NSF GRFP honorable mention

Megan and Patrick's Baby Shower

January 2012
Henny Bennett receives the STARS II Fellowship

November 2011
Sarah Schreiner passes her qualifying exam!

Dongxu Lin, Ph.D. joines the King Lab

August 2011
Megan King Ph.D. receives the NIH Director's New Innovator Award

June 2011
Lab picnic

May 2011
Sarah Schreiner, Graduate Student, joines the King Lab

April 2011
Megan King Ph.D. named
Searle Scholar 2011

Rebecca Swartz receives NSF GRFP honorable mention

Henny Bennett receives the Sackler Undergraduate Fellowship

Helen Guo receives the
Yale College Dean's Research Fellowship

March 2011
Sarah Wälde, Ph.D. joines the King Lab

December 2010
Rebecca Swartz, Graduate Student, passes her qualifying exam!

Postdoctoral postition currently available!
 
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