Very happy to share our work on Ataxin-2 @volodya_gelfand @UrkodC @NU_CDB

Finally online in Developmental Cell! A novel variant of CLIP-170 that confers taxane resistance https://t.co/zGMEFVLp2O

If you want to know how dynein transports material from nurse cells to the oocyte in the Drosophila ovary, log into Motors in Quarantine Zoom meeting this coming Wednesday https://t.co/1msdm4kg82 It is not what you think it is, I promise

Our Department @NU_CDB is screening this great film @PictureaSciFilm, regarding equality, diversity and inclusion in science over this weekend, followed by a panel discussion on the topic on Monday. Highly recommend the film, not only to scientists, but everyone.....

Ataxin-2 is essential for neurodevelopment. If you want to learn more have a look at our (@RozNorkett and @volodya_gelfand ) new prepint: https://t.co/G41KQVsfKL

A new preprint from our lab, hard work by @UrkodC and @RozNorkett

Ataxin-2 is an essential gene in neurodevelopment. Check out the impresive work that @RozNorkett is presenting about Atx2 and its role in controlling neuronal cytoskeleton at @ASCBiology

Awesome Work from The Gelfand Lab @volodya_gelfand and @UrkodC pushing the limits of Live Cell Imaging with the Nikon A1R #confocal and their Nikon W1 Live-SR #superresolution system! https://t.co/quX4ctv75d @NikonInst @NU_CDB

Best put by our chair, @mliarispe, “change isn’t passive, it’s intentional, it requires purpose and perseverance”. CDB_NU fully supports #BLM and today we’re stepping away from science to reflect on how we can make meaningful changes to support this movement in STEM #ShutDownSTEM

So happy to see our work finally published in PNAS: Kinetochore protein Spindly controls microtubule polarity in Drosophila axons https://t.co/KnkU9o35wl

Spindly, a dynein adaptor at the kinetochore, takes on a new role in the postmitotic neuron: it's required for determination of axonal microtubule polarity by recruiting dynein to cortical actin https://t.co/mbtv4ASNri 1st preLight by @Maf_Pimentel on work from @volodya_gelfand

Happy Friday, everyone! We are pleased to announce that we have revamped our departmental website. A new video has been added to the homepage too. Please, have a look! https://t.co/BbNA1O5rEK

Based on our data, Spindly is responsible for recruiting dynein/dynactin complexes to F-actin in the axon. This recruitment activates microtubule transport powered by dynein. Read the paper for more details https://t.co/3gpSjtGNiK 👍

4) Dynein-binding domain of Spindly is required for all post-mitotic neuronal phenotypes that we screened (i.e. uniform microtubule polarity in axons, proper axonal targeting and normal locomotion)

3) Spindly RNAi flies displayed severe locomotion and coordination defects as well as a shortened lifespan

2) Depletion of Spindly in neurons causes mayor defects in axon patterning. This is clearly seen in the photoreceptor-optic lobe innervation. In Spindly RNAi photoreceptors, this pattern is completely collapsed.

1) Surprisingly, we identified, through a RNAi screen, that depletion of Spindly (a kinetochore protein) in Drosophila neurons disrupts the uniform polarity of axons. Note that EB1-comets move in both directions in Spindly RNAi axons.

One of the main differences between axons and dendrites is their microtubule organization. Microtubules in axons are uniformly oriented with their plus-ends-out. Cortical dynein is one of the factors responsible for this pattern. But how is dynein recruited to F-actin in axons?

A few highlights from our most recent work at @volodya_gelfand lab in collaboration with Arno Müller "Kinetochore protein Spindly controls microtubule polarity in Drosophila axons" https://t.co/3gpSjtGNiK See thread