Dr Anthony Roberts
Birkbeck, University of London
a.roberts@mail.cryst.bbk.ac.uk
Research Interests
Spatial organization within cells | mechanism and regulation of dynein
We are investigating the mechanisms by which molecules are spatially organized within living cells. A main focus is on dynein, a large but poorly understood motor protein that uses ATP hydrolysis to transport cellular components and signals along microtubules. The overarching goal of our research is to understand how dynein works as a force-generating machine, and how dynein molecules are regulated to bring about coherent cellular functions. We are also interested in how defects in the dynein machinery cause human disease, and how dynein operates with the other class of microtubule motor, kinesin. Core techniques in our research are cryo-electron microscopy, protein engineering, and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy.
Cilia Research Projects
The following are funded research projects related to cilia research.
Dynein-2: Building and maintaining a functional primary cilium
Funding source: BBSRC / Value: £252,065Dates: February 2019 - January 2023
Dissecting the Molecular Mechanism of Intraflagellar Transport Motors
Funding source: BBSRC / Value: £346,960Dates: June 2017 - December 2020