Jennifer Landino

My research is aimed at understanding the mechanisms the underlie successful cytokinesis, the final stage of cell division. Prior to cytokinesis the cell cortex is dynamically patterned and remodeled to support the formation of the cytokinetic furrow. We use a cell-free, artificial cortex, comprised of a supported lipid bilayer and Xenopus egg extract, to investigate the biochemical and biophysical properties of cell membrane and cytoskeleton that drive cortical patterning. We use live imaging to quantitatively analyze pattern formation and dynamics.