About
Buzz Baum is a Research Fellow at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) within the University of Cambridge. His work focuses on the generation of biological form ("morphogenesis") through the study of cell division across archaea and eukaryotes, with a particular emphasis on the role of the cytoskeleton and ESCRT-III proteins in evolutionary transitions.
- Key research themes: Morphogenesis, Cell Division, Evolutionary Cell Biology, Archaeal Biology, Eukaryogenesis, Membrane Remodeling
His lab investigates cell division using Sulfolobus, a hyperthermophilic archaeon, to identify conserved processes and core principles. Recent work explores the application of imaging techniques in extremophiles and the evolutionary implications of ESCRT-III proteins in both archaea and humans. Future research will focus on Asgard archaea, the closest living relatives to eukaryotes, to study the origins of cell division and symbiosis.
Collaborations include researchers at the LMB, UK institutions, and international partners. Group members include Alice Cezanne, Sherman Foo, Yin-Wei (Kris) Kuo, Magda Lechowska, Fraser MacLeod, Florian Mayer, Joe Parham, Arthur Radoux, Iain Richard, and Jeanne Salje.
