EMBO Member
Pekka Lappalainen
EMBO 2016
Former EMBO Young Investigator (2001)
University of Helsinki, Finland
Actin and plasma membrane dynamics
Our group studies the mechanisms by which the dynamics and organization of actin filaments are controlled in cells, and how the actin cytoskeleton communicates with the plasma membrane. Abnormalities in actin-dependent processes, including cell morphogenesis, motility and cytokinesis, often occur in cancer cells and in certain neurological and immunological disorders. Thus, these studies may also help in understanding the principles of these actin-dependent pathological states.
Keywords
Actin dynamics / actin stress fibres / ADF / cofilin / BAR domains / membrane dynamics / membrane curvature / cell migration