Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Robert Saxton Rose Hills

Regulated Degradation of KIF20A by the APC/C

The Anaphase Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) is an essential protein that allows cells to divide in a timely and proper manner. Inhibition of the APC/C prevents proper cell division, making it a protein of interest for cancer therapies. While many targets of the APC have been identified, its full spectrum of substrates is not yet characterized. In this project, I will be studying the interaction between the APC and a proposed novel substrate, KIF20A, a motor protein that is also essential for cell division, and which is also of interest in the development of future cancer therapies. In studying the interaction between these two proteins, I hope to identify and characterize a novel APC substrate, and to potentially discover new mechanisms of APC/C regulation. Ultimately, this project will help to gain a deeper understanding into how this crucial protein complex regulates cell division.

Message To Sponsor

Being awarded the SURF/Rose Hills Fellowship is very significant to me for several reasons. First and foremost this funding will allow me to pursue my passion for research to a greater extent than I otherwise would be able to. Through this valuable experience I will undoubtedly grow as a scientist and a person, and hopefully gain insights into the direction my future scientific career will take. In addition, I will have the tremendous opportunity to contribute in some small way to the advancement our overall body of scientific knowledge, which is an opportunity I am truly grateful for.