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Exploring the molecular mechanisms of cell division
The IRMM project aims to characterize the molecular mechanisms responsible for interactions between intra-flagellar transport proteins and molecular motors.
During its life cycle, a cell goes through several essential phases. Cell division (or mitosis) is a key stage in maintaining cell proliferation, and therefore the growth of a living organism. During this stage, chromosomes are separated and distributed between the two daughter cells resulting from this division. Inside the cells are cytoskeletal filaments called microtubules, long tubes of protein that assemble to form the structure (the mitotic spindle) that separates the chromosomes. Intra-flagellar transport proteins contribute, in association with molecular motors, to mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome transport.
This research opens the way to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development of cancerous lesions. Indeed, cancer cells frequently exhibit chromosome segregation errors during mitosis, generally due to defects in microtubule organization.
This report was produced and funded as part of the "Sciences Avec et Pour la Société" (SAPS) call for projects.
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