Gerardo Morfini, Ph.D.

Research

The mission of our laboratory is to elucidate molecular mechanisms for the regulation of intracellular trafficking in neurons. Toward this end, we use a variety of experimental approaches including microscopic, biochemical, and cell biological assays.Kinesin-1 and cytoplasmic dynein (CDyn) are the major microtubule (MT)-based molecular motors responsible for the execution of fast axonal transport (FAT) mechanisms. Current research in our laboratory addresses basic questions on the regulatory mechanisms of kinesin-1 and cytoplasmic dynein-based motilities. Our major research projects currently include 1) Effects of kinase-related signaling pathways on axonal function in health and disease 2) Identification and characterization of physiologically relevant kinases affecting microtubule-based motor function. 3) Elucidating the molecular basis of kinase activation by mutant pathogenic proteins.