MEIOSIS, MITOSIS AND THE IN-BETWEEN
Research at McClurg Lab involves constant analysis of the hypotheses we explore. Since 2000, we have been driven by this mission of discovery. Read on to find out more about our latest work.
MEIOTIC-TO-MITOTIC TRANSITON
Following fertilization cells transition into mitosis and turn off the expression of genes associated exclusively with meiosis. This silencing is critical for healthy and faithful mitotic cell division. Our group focuses on understanding the timing and molecular mechanisms of meiotic gene silencing during the meiotic-to-mitotic transition.
FAILURE OF MEIOTIC GENE SILENCING IN CANCER
Work of many groups including ours finds that aberrant re-activation of meiotic genes is common in cancer. However, mechanisms regulating this process remain unknown. To fill this knowledge gap our group uses multi-disciplinary approaches to pinpoint the over-arching mechanisms regulating meiotic gene re-activation in cancer.
ROLE OF MEIOTIC PROTEINS IN CANCER
It is becoming clear that approximately 1 in 2 cancer patients expresses meiotic proteins. However, as mitotic and meiotic proteomes differ meiotic proteins which moonlight in mitotic cells can be involved in complexes and processes distinct from their meiotic functions. Our group investigates the biology of meiotic proteins to discover their roles in cancer.