# Molecular Motor Cargo Transport: Multidisciplinary Training in In Vitro and In Silico Model Systems

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE · 2021 · $65,994

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The goal of the proposed research is to define the molecular mechanisms that govern
intracellular transport by teams of myosin-Va and kinesin-1 molecular motors in a 3-dimensional
(3D) network of actin filaments and microtubules (MTs). In Aim 1, in vitro biophysical assays will
be used to measure the transport of fluid-like liposome cargoes coated with teams of myosin-Va
and kinesin-1 motors in a reconstituted 3D network of actin filaments and MTs. Liposome
trajectories in the 3D filament network will be correlated with the underlying filament position
and orientation to determine how the liposome’s modes of motion (directed, diffusive, or
stationary) are related to the local filament network architecture. To achieve this goal, training
will be acquired in motor protein expression (Trybus Lab), 3D super-resolution microscopy,
complex system reconstitution, and actomyosin biology (Warshaw Lab). In Aim 2, mechanistic
mathematical modeling will be utilized to understand the biophysical parameters that govern
liposome motility observed in vitro in Aim 1. How properties of the motors, the cargo, and the
tracks influence liposome trajectories in in silico cytoskeletal networks identical to those mapped
in vitro will highlight this modeling effort. New expertise in modeling will be gained by a mini
“sabbatical” in the Walcott Lab (WPI). Aim 3 will bridge the gap between in vitro cargo transport
studies in Aim 1 and that which occurs within a cell. Therefore, liposome transport by teams of
kinesin-1 and myosin-Va motors will be characterized in exposed cytoskeletal networks of
permeabilized cultured, COS7 cells. By growing cells on patterned substrates, these “designer”
cells adopt to the desired geometry (e.g. circular or square) and thus organize their actin
filament and MT cytoskeleton accordingly. The proposed experiments represent new training in
novel tissue culture techniques (Howe Lab). The knowledgebase generated in Aims 1 and 2 will
test the hypothesis that principles governing liposome transport in vitro are operative for
transport along cellular cytoskeletal networks ex vivo. This proposal represents a synergistic,
multidisciplinary training experience in which the trainee will gain and utilize new expertise in
protein expression, new biophysical techniques, mathematical modeling, and cell biological
techniques.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10142047
- **Project number:** 1F32GM140618-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Brandon M. Bensel
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $65,994
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-05-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10142047

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10142047, Molecular Motor Cargo Transport: Multidisciplinary Training in In Vitro and In Silico Model Systems (1F32GM140618-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10142047. Licensed CC0.

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