Dr. Shannon’s lab studies cytokinesis, or physical separation of cells during cell division.
The lab studies how cells know when and where to divide using budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a model system. Budding yeast use actin and myosin to constrict the cell membrane, as do higher cells. By studying cytokinesis in yeast, we will learn more about how cell division works in eukaryotic cells. Properly regulating cytokinesis is important to prevent aneuploidy, which can lead to cell death or tumorigenesis. Determining how cytokinesis is normally regulated will help us to understand how this process can fail and contribute to tumor progression. Research in the lab focuses on two proteins involved in cytokinesis, Iqg1 and Hof1. Iqg1 is required for actin ring formation, and Hof1 is required for normal contraction of the ring. We are studying the regulation of these proteins by phosphorylation. We are also looking at the role of a signaling pathway, the mitotic exit network (MEN) in regulating actomyosin ring contraction. Students working in the lab will learn a variety of techniques such as genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and microscopy.
Dr. Shannon’s students have presented their work at local, regional, and national meetings and won multiple awards.