Our group analyzes the functional organization of the nucleus. Components of the nuclear envelope and the nuclear transport apparatus are implicated in human disease, including several types of cancer. For our studies, mammalian-cultured cells and the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae serve as model systems.

We are particularly interested in nuclear envelope proteins and their role in organizing chromatin. In addition, trafficking of macromolecules in and out of the nucleus is being analyzed. These transport processes control cellular metabolism and are essential for cell survival upon stress. We are presently defining how different forms of stress affect trafficking between nucleus and cytoplasm. These questions are addressed with a combination of genetics, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology.