Lazo will use the fluorescent probe and imaging technology to identify drug targets that will disrupt key elements involved in the cell cycle, thereby allowing scientists to curb cell division to improve cancer treatment or to promote cell division to advance regenerative medicine.
To gain deeper insight into the activity of neurons, Isacoff will use the new fluorescent probes to image the molecular-scale changes that occur at synapses, the communication junctions between neurons.
Using a technique called multi-color, multi-dimensional flow cytometry, Nolan will simultaneously measure the activity of kinases, molecules that play a critical role in the cellular pathways involved in the development of leukemia.
McCartney will conduct live cell imaging experiments using the new fluorescent probes to understand the role a colon cancer tumor suppressor protein plays in a dynamic cellular pathway used within cells to regulate processes during animal development, and to maintain daily cell functions, including the regulation of cell division.