Structural studies of the autoinhibition and activation of kinesin motors
Eva Nogales, Professor
Molecular and Cell Biology
Applications for Fall 2025 are closed for this project.
Kinesin motors drive microtubule based intracellular transport, and autoinhibition is an intrinsic regulatory mechanism that ensures this transport is activated according to cellular needs. Aberrant activation of kinesins has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., KIF1A-Associated Neurological Disorder), affecting neuronal morphology and neurotransmitter release. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying kinesin autoinhibition remain poorly understood. Cryo-EM based structural studies offer a powerful approach to uncover these mechanisms and understand the underlying causes of known disease mutants affecting kinesin motor activity.
Role: Students working on this project will:
Design plasmids for kinesin motor expression
Purify kinesin motors under various conditions
Prepare samples for negative-stain electron microscopy and cryo-EM
Investigate kinesin activation mechanisms using TIRF microscopy
Qualifications: Qualifications: Students with passion and enthusiasm for cutting edge research. The candidate is expected to have basic knowledge of biochemistry, such as molecular cloning and protein purification. Benchwork experience in biochemistry is preferred but not required. Ideally, the student commits to at least six months of work with the possibility of extension.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Aryan Taheri, Ph.D. candidate
Hours: 12 or more hours
Related website: http://cryoem.berkeley.edu
Biological & Health Sciences