# ACTIN ASSEMBLY AND CELL MOTILITY: MECHANISMS AND REGULATION

> **NIH NIH R35** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $171,575

## Abstract

Research Plan
Summary / Abstract from Parent Grant (R35 GM118171)
 Our lab studies molecular and cellular mechanisms for actin assembly and actin-based cell
motility. We want to understand how actin filaments assemble, how they interact with other cytoskeletal
components and membranes, and how these interactions dictate cell shape and movement.
 The MIRA goals are: 1) combining existing grants, 2) promoting flexibility in new research
directions, and 3) promoting stability and mentoring.
 1) Existing Grants. “Mechanisms for Transendothelial Migration” is the current title of a long-
standing grant focused on actin assembly and membranes. Transendothelial migration is a new area for
us, one that emerged from studies on how NK cells migrate, find and kill their target cells. We are
interested in how immune and cancer cells cross the endothelium of the vasculature during physiological
and pathological processes. The migrating cell and the endothelial cell both actively participate, changing
shape and exerting force as a result of actin filaments interacting with the plasma membrane and
intracellular membranous organelles.
 “Regulation of Actin Capping Protein” is the current title of a newer grant focused on novel
mechanisms of regulation of actin capping protein. Capping protein is a key regulator of the availability
and activity of actin-filament barbed ends. Recent discoveries of novel regulators of capping protein have
revealed unexpected insights that dramatically change our view of actin assembly in cells. We now know
that regulators target capping protein to sites where cells need to assemble actin filaments and that they
tune its filament-capping activity to a level that is physiologically relevant for the concentrations of the
reactants and kinetics of the reactions.
 2) Flexibility and New Research Directions. I have been successful in pursuing new directions,
using new experimental systems, and adapting to new technologies, as described in my Biosketch. New
areas for our lab in this proposal include novel connections between cytoskeleton filament systems, the
use of zebrafish as a vertebrate model system, light-induced control of protein activity, and super-
resolution correlative light and electron microscopy.
 3) Mentoring and Stability. The MIRA FAQ mentions “more time for conduct of research and
mentoring junior scientists in a more stable environment,” which resonates strongly with me. I enjoy
serving as a mentor, and I am very proud of the success of our lab trainees and my faculty colleagues,
within and outside of our department. In terms of stability, while we are grateful for our success in
securing continued funding for our research, our ability to make transitions and explore new directions
will be made more facile and efficient by the MIRA mechanism.
1

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10075071
- **Project number:** 3R35GM118171-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN A COOPER
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $171,575
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-04-01 → 2021-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10075071

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10075071, ACTIN ASSEMBLY AND CELL MOTILITY: MECHANISMS AND REGULATION (3R35GM118171-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10075071. Licensed CC0.

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