Nicole Rodgers
Graduate Student, Zanic Lab, Chemical and Physical Biology Graduate Program
My research focuses on understanding the interactions between the microtubule and actin cytoskeletons, important for proper cellular function. Specifically, I am interested in the dynamic and mechanical interactions that underly the physical crosstalk between the two as mediated by the microtubule associated protein CLASP2. Using a bottom-up approach with purified protein components and TIRF microscopy, I am able to characterize and quantify these dynamic interactions. In addition, using microfluidics, I can probe the mechanical stability and strength of these crosslinked structures. Studying the role of CLASP2 in mediating interactions between microtubules and actin will provide new insights into how they coordinate and co-organize in the cell.