Zimyanin, Vitaly L
Primary Appointment
Research Assistant Professor, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics
Contact Information
PO Box 400328
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Telephone: 4349825617
Email: vlz3f@virginia.edu
Research Disciplines
Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Metabolism, Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics
Research Interests
Looking to uncover and understand the underlying principles of spindle assembly on a nano-scale level. Understanding the role of cell polarity, endosomal trafficking and metabolism in organism development and neurodegenerative disease.
Research Description
We are using multi-scale approaches to understand mechanisms of how mitotic and meiotic spindles are assembled and function to segregate chromosomes in various model systems. Failure of these processes are one of the underlying reasons that lead to aneuploidy, cancer development, as well as early pregnancy loss and infertility.
Our aim is to understand the key molecular and mechanical principles and mechanisms of spindle assembly and chromosome segregation in meiosis and mitosis. We address this by using a combination of cutting-edge imaging technologies, such as large-scale 3D electron tomography and spinning disc live-cell microscopy, as well CRISPR and other genetic tools in tissue culture cells, mouse Oocytes and C. elegans embryos.
We also have ongoing projects that use human-derived stem cells, imaging and transcriptomic approaches to look at the role of endosomal trafficking, cell polarity and metabolism in the origin and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and TBCK syndrome.