# Mechanisms of microtubule motors and chromosome segregation

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE · 2022 · $159,374

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The accurate segregation of chromosomes by the microtubule-based mitotic spindle during mitosis is
essential for the preservation of genomic integrity. Errors in mitotic spindle function lead to chromosome
missegregation, aneuploidy, and the formation of micronuclei, all hallmarks of tumor cells. Molecular motors
of the kinesin superfamily play important mechanical roles in controlling the movement and organization of
chromosomes within the spindle, including the generation of forces on chromosome arms, regulation of
spindle microtubule length changes, and the crosslinking and sliding of microtubule overlaps. Many of the
molecular mechanisms underlying kinesin function in cells remain poorly understood. This proposal seeks
to fill knowledge gaps in our understanding of how kinesins function at the molecular level to ensure the
accuracy of mitotic chromosome segregation. How do the structures of kinesins tune their activities for
particular roles in cells? How are these activities spatially and temporally regulated? What is the molecular
basis for cell type specific requirements of kinesin function? What are the short and long-term
consequences of abnormal kinesin activities? An interdisciplinary approach combining biophysics,
quantitative live cell imaging, and structural mutagenesis will be employed to address these outstanding
questions across biological scales from the single molecule to single cell, to tissue and whole organism
levels.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10330621
- **Project number:** 1R35GM144133-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** JASON K STUMPFF
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $159,374
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-02-01 → 2027-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10330621

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10330621, Mechanisms of microtubule motors and chromosome segregation (1R35GM144133-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10330621. Licensed CC0.

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