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Cross Lab

Rob C 

Research Summary

We are interested in the molecular mechanisms of kinesin molecular motors and microtubules.

Our work is discovery science, aiming to inform the development of new drug therapies for a range of global health problems that includes malaria, cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimers and reproductive disease.

As part of this mission, we develop new optical microscopes.

  • Rob Cross CV
  • Google scholar
  • Warwick Profile
  • WMS Inaugural lecture
  • Lab Meeting Schedule

Selected Publications

Katsuki, M., Drummond, D.R., Cross, R.A. (2014) Ectopic A-lattice seams destabilize microtubules. Nature Communications 5, doi: 10.1038/ncomms4094 PubMed

Wollman, A.J., Sanchez-Cano, C., Carstairs, H.M., Cross, R.A., Turberfield, A.J. (2013) Transport and self-organization across different length scales powered by motor proteins and programmed by DNA. Nature Nanotechnology PubMed

Grant, B.J., Gheorghe, D., Zheng,W., Alonso, M., Huber, G., Dlugosz,M., McCammon, J.A. and Cross, R.A. (2011)
Electrostatically biased binding of kinesin to microtubules. PLoS Biol. e1001207 Pubmed

DesGeorges, A., Katsuki, M., Drummond, D.R., Osei, M., Cross, R.A. and Amos, L.A. (2008)
Mal3, the S. pombe homologue of EB1, changes the microtubule lattice. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 15:1102-8 Pubmed

Alonso, M.C., Drummond, D.R., Kain, S., Hoeng, J., Amos, L.A. and Cross, R.A. (2007) An ATP-gate controls tubulin binding by the tethered head of kinesin-1. Science. 316:120-3. Pubmed

Lab Members and Projects

doug3microbw.jpg?maxWidth=70 Doug Drummond | Senior Research Associate | The kinesin binding site on tubulin

The binding site of kinesin-1 on microtubules is not well defined. Alpha and beta tubulin mutants have been created in S. pombe. These will be examined in vivo and in vitro and a map of tubulin amino acids with a significant role in kinesin ATPase activation and motility created.

NV Neil Venables | PhD Systems Biology | Alp14 & Dis1

Rapid microtubule dynamics are essential at all stages of the cell cycle. XMAP215 proteins belong to a highly conserved family that promote microtubule growth by up to a factor of 10. I study the mechanism of this process in the two S. pombe TOG/XMAP215 homologues - Alp14 and Dis1. I am funded by Warwick's Systems Biology DTC.

DP Daniel Peet | Systems Biology DTC Student | Microtubule catastrophe

Microtubules switch from slow growth to rapid depolymerisation via a process called catastrophe. I am interested in the molecular mechanisms that underpin microtubule stability and catastrophe. I am funded by Warwick's Systems Biology DTC.

Neil Neil Jenkins | Stepping simulations

I am analysing and simulating the stepping behaviour of processive kinesins, aiming to make predictions of the behaviour of teams of kinesins

Naomi McIntyre

Naomi McIntyre | Research Technician
I am a newly-appointed Research Assistant working on tubulin mutagenesis in the Cross lab. Funded by BBSRC. Previous to joining the Cross lab I achieved a degree in Biochemistry at the University of St Andrews.

AMDU

NC Nick Carter | Senior Research Fellow | Advanced Microscopy Development Unit

I am designer and developer of the Warwick Open Source Microscope, aiming to deliver an exceptionally high quality platform for advanced optical microscopy for the rapidly-expanding global community of optical microscopists.

JM James McLachlan | PhD Student MOAC | Single molecule mechanics of fission yeast kinesins

I am looking into single molecule mechanochemistry of several kinesins from fission yeast and modelling their behaviour. I am funded by Warwick's MOAC DTC.

TM Toni McHugh | Systems Biology DTC Student | Mitotic kinesins

I am researching the single molecule behaviour of mitotic kinesins, using laser tweezers. I am funded by Warwick's Systems Biology DTC. My project is in collaboration with the McAinsh lab.