The nuclear-centrosomal axis is a fundamental cellular polarity axis defined by drawing a line through the center of the nucleus and the centrosome. This axis, identified by Van Beneden in the late 1800s, is oriented with respect to morphological polarity in many cell types suggesting that it contributes to the generation and/or maintenance of cell polarity. Recently, it has become clear that nuclear-centrosomal axis orientation depends upon the coordinated, but separate positioning of the nucleus and the centrosome. The Luxton lab is focused on understanding the establishment and function of nuclear-centrosomal axis orientation during cell migration as well as tissue development and regeneration. Specifically, we are interested in determining the mechanisms of nuclear and centrosomal positioning and understanding how a migrating cell interprets this positional information. We are also interested in understanding how defects in nuclear-centrosomal axis orientation might contribute to human disease, specifically the neurological movement disorder, dystonia, which is characterized by sustained painful muscle contractions that cause twisiting and repetitive movements or abnormal posturing.
