Research
The Lombardo Lab's Findings
Our research focuses on using biophysics and cell biology techniques to address how cells produce and maintain polarity.
We've characterized how myosin motors deliver intracellular cargo along the dense three-dimensional networks of actin filaments found within cells. We've characterized the the molecular functions of 3 separate classes of myosins from both muscle and non-muscle types. We've merged a physics perspective with biochemical tools to create a unique interdisciplinary approach to studying these amazing proteins. In the Lombardo lab we employ the technical expertise in cytoskeletal motor biochemistry, single molecule biophysics, super-resolution imaging, and the programing of new image analysis toolsets to ask how these tiny molecular motors function.
We've paired our motor work with the characterization of signaling pathways required to define cell shape. These signaling molecules act in concert with the essential membrane-actin crosslinkers ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERMs) and the cytoskeletal organizer RhoA. Collectively, the findings from these studies indicate that separate GAPs are localized on a scale previously unappreciated (100-200nm) to locally regulate signaling pathways required for cell polarity and morphology. The Lombardo Lab is looking to understand how the cell manages to regulate these processes on such a minuscule scale.
What are the mechanisms cells use to define cellular polarity to build physiologically and morphologically correct tissues?
The Lombardo Lab is growing! We're looking to add new members who are excited to join our group. See our contact page to reach out if you're interest in being a part of the Lombardo Lab's latest Science!