# Assembly and function of cytoskeletal systems in eukaryotic and prokaryoticcells

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2021 · $484,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
My laboratory pursues answers to fundamental questions in cell biology. Broadly, we study how self-assembly
of complex macromolecular structures —especially cytoskeletal polymers and networks— creates spatial order
in living cells. To understand how molecular properties govern the architecture and function of living cells, we
perform quantitative studies at multiple size scales: (i) single-molecule and bulk biochemical studies of
cytoskeletal components; (ii) biophysical and microscopical studies of complex cellular structures reconstituted
in vitro; and (iii) cell biological and high-resolution microscopy studies of cytoskeletal systems in living cells.
Our work currently addresses the following topics: (1) function and regulation of actin network motors that
make use of the Arp2/3 complex; (2) pseudopod assembly and amoeboid locomotion; (3) autophagy and
endomembrane movement; (4) nuclear actin assembly and DNA repair; and (5) assembly and function of
cytoskeletal elements in eubacteria and archaea. As part of an international consortium we have also recently
begun work to understand how SARS-CoV2 induces formation of long, branched filopodia in infected host cells
and what function these filopodia play in viral egress and spread.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10205776
- **Project number:** 2R35GM118119-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** R DYCHE MULLINS
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $484,500
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2016-04-15 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10205776

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10205776, Assembly and function of cytoskeletal systems in eukaryotic and prokaryoticcells (2R35GM118119-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10205776. Licensed CC0.

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